A dominating performance by India to clinch the 3-match series by 2-1. The hosts have made a mockery of the run chase. Sri Lanka did strike early with the wicket of Rohit Sharma and with the ball turning and doing all sorts of things it looked like the visitors would make a match of this. But such was not the case. The attacking due of Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer, gave no respite to the Lankan bowlers. Right from the outset they played their shots and in no time took the game away from the visitors by stitching a 135-run stand. The latter once again threw his wicket after getting to a half century but the former took his side home and remained unbeaten on a ton. Dinesh Karthik did his part too after the wicket of Iyer, ensuring there were no further hiccups.
The Sri Lanka bowling looked clueless but to be honest the match was lost in the first innings itself when they could not capitalise on the platform set by Samarawickrama and Tharanga. Early wickets was needed when they came out to defend a paltry total but they only managed to take one. Their ploy off starting with a spinner did pay off but the rest of the bowlers lacked ideas and were taken to the cleaners by the Dhawan and Iyer. (SCORECARD)
HIGHLIGHTS, INDIA VS SRI LANKA, 3RD ODI at VIZAG
20.35 IST: That is it! The Indian team is seen posing with the trophy. Another series win for them. Their 8th consecutive bilateral ODI series win. They continue their domination at home and also over the Lankans. The hosts now have turn their attention to the 20-over format also for the Lankans, who have a last chance to end a disappointing year on a high. The shortest format does throw a lot of surprises and it will be interesting to see if it there is any in the first T20I which will be played on 20th of December in Cuttack at 0700 Local (0130 GMT). Till then, take care and goodbye!
20.30 IST: Rohit Sharma says the team made a terrific comeback after the loss in Dharamsala. Credits the bowlers to pull the game back in the middle overs. Reckons it is a complete performance by the team which made his job easier as captain. Admits the first game was testing as a captain. Further adds the second game was a perfect one for him to settle into the team as skipper. Mentions with the bowlers they have the job becomes very easy. Appreciates the batting of Shreyas Iyer and terms him as a big positive. Also credits the spin twins for their performances. He ends by saying going abroad now will be very challenging for the team.
20.25 IST: Man of the series, Shikhar Dhawan, feels he is batting at his best and is more consistent now. Opines he has worked a bit on his technique and also his guard. Mentions his experience also comes into play as he understands the situation. Reckons his conversation rate is quite high. Further adds the team stands first and then individual performance comes. Ends by saying he is happy he has taken his team to the finish line.
20.20 IST: Player of the match, Kuldeep Yadav, feels Both Upul Tharanga and Sadeera Samarawickrama were set. Opines the two wickets in his one over changed the momentum. Informs the wicket was very good for the spinners as turn was available. Ends by saying he has worked hard on his bowling and fitness when he has not got a game.
20.15 IST: Sri Lanka skipper, Thisara Perera, says it is really disappointing after the first game. Reckons it was a good chance to beat India in India but they could not execute their plans. Admits they got off to a good start today but could not capitalize. Appreciates Akila by saying he is a special talent and he has a bright future ahead. Ends by saying They have already lost the ODI series and they now have to think about the future.
19.56 IST:
19.55 IST: FOUR! And Karthik finishes things off in style! Tossed up ball outside off, Dinesh makes room and goes inside out over extra cover for a boundary to end the match. Smiles all-around in the Indian dressing room as INDIA WIN BY 8 WICKETS AND 107 BALLS TO SPARE!
Akila Dananjaya is back on. Just 2 needed, will India seal the deal in this over?
19.53 IST: FOUR! Century for Dhawan! His 12th. Take a bow, what an innings this has been. A thoroughly entertaining one. He has gone after the bowling right from the start and made sure he has stayed till the end. A full ball on leg stump by Asela. Dhawan brings out the sweep shot which he has played really well. He does so again, through mid-wicket for a boundary. IND 214/2 in 32 overs
19.49 IST: FOUR! A boundary away! and India only need 7. A hit me ball by Asela. A full delivery on the pads. Dhawan flicks it down towards fine leg for a boundary. IND 210/2 in 31.3 overs
19.47 IST: FOUR! 13 needed now! A fuller length ball on off, Karthik drives it past the diving mid off fielder for a boundary. IND 204/2 in 31 overs
19.45 IST: FOUR! Into the 90s! Poor ball by Mathews. He bowls it on the pads, Dhawan won't miss out there. He flicks it through short fine leg for a boundary. 18 runs needed now. IND 198/2 in 30.3 overs
19.43 IST: FOUR! 13 runs away now! Dhawan sweeps the ball through mid-wicket and fetches himself a boundary. IND 193/2 in 30 overs
19.41 IST: SIX! He moves into the 80s. He needs 18 more for a hundred and India need 29. He comes down the track and lofts it over the long on fence for a biggie. IND 187/2 in 29.2 overs
Danushka Gunathilaka is into the attack now.
19.36 IST: FOUR! He is eyeing a hundred here! A full ball on middle by Mathews. Dhawan, goes down on one knee and whips it over square leg for a boundary. IND 178/2 in 28.1 overs
Angelo Mathews is brought back into the attack.
19.35 IST: Slower through the air outside off, Karthik waits for it and then guides it past the short third man fielder for a brace. 4 runs from the over, IND 174/2 in 28 overs
19.31 IST: FOUR! Dhawan hits it with ease! Fuller ball on middle, he flicks it over mid-on for a boundary. IND 170/2 in 27 overs
19.27 IST: 4000 ODI runs for Shikhar Dhawan! Becomes the second fastest Indian and 6th overall to do so. Well done! Fuller ball on off, Shikhar drives it towards long off for one. IND 160/2 in 25.3 overs
19.24 IST: NOT OUT! Yes he has edged it! Good use of technology by Karthik. Perera bowls an inswinger on leg stump. Karthik walks across and tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The players appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Karthik review immediately. Time for the replays and guess what, there is something on snicko and hence, Karhtik has edged it. The decision has to overturned. IND 159/2 in 25 overs
19.23 IST: Karthik has been adjudged LBW and he reviews it straightaway. He must have felt that it is sliding down leg or he must have hit it. Let's wait and find out...
19.20 IST: FOUR! Karthik's first boundary! A fuller in length delivery on middle, Karthik walks across and flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. 57 runs more needed. IND 159/2 in 24.2 overs
19.19 IST: NOT OUT! Dhawan has made it! Pathirana tosses it up on off, Karthik tries to force it through the off side but gets it off the inner half towards mid on. He calls for a run and his partner obliges. The fielder is quick to the ball and scores a bull's eye at the striker's end. The players appeal and the umpire goes upstairs. Replays show Dhawan has just about made his crease. He survives.
19.18 IST: A direct hit which are always close! Dhawan is the man in question at the stirker's end. Dickwella is quite confident about it.
Sachith Pathirana is back into the attack.
19.15 IST: On the pads, Dhawan tries to flick only to get beaten. The ball his the pads and the batsmen take a leg bye. IND 151/2 in 23 overs
Dinesh Karthik walks out at no. 4.
19.13 IST: OUT! A wicket but a bit to late? Iyer once again throwing his wicket away. He moves away to the leg side expecting a fuller one. Perera bowls a short ball, cramping him for room. Iyer tries to pull but is late on the shot. He mistimes it to Lakmal who takes it at mid-on. No real celebrations from the Lankans. A dejected Iyer walks back to a standing ovation as it has been an enterprising innings by him. IND 149/2 in 22.4 overs
19.09 IST: FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Dhawan cuts it past the point fielder to fetch himself another boundary. Back-to-back boundaries for India. IND 148/1 in 22 overs
19.08 IST: FOUR BYES! Dhawan goes down on one knee to the full ball in an attempt to sweep. He misses, the ball turns away. Dickwella fails to collect it and the ball races to the third man fence. IND 143/1 in 21.4 overs
19.04 IST: FIVE WIDES! He has not got it right here! Sri Lanka can't give away such easy runs. Asela again fires it down the leg side. Dickwella fails to collect and the ball races to the fine leg fence. IND 138/1 in 21 overs
Asela Gunaratne is into the attack.
19.03 IST: Fuller in length outside off, Iyer tries to dive but gets an inside edge towards fine leg for a run. 4 runs from the over. IND 131/1 in 21 overs
18.59 IST: FOUR! India want to finish this early! A flighted ball on off, Iyer takes the aerial root as he goes inside out. He does not quite get enough for the ball to go all the way but fetches himself a boundary. One short of 90 needed now. IND 127/1 in 20 overs
18.56 IST: Dhawan comes down the track and drives it down to long on for a run. IND 123/1 in 19.4 overs
18.55 IST: SIX! The leg-spinner googly picks it and sends it into the sands. That also brings up the fifty for Dhawan. His 24th and like his partner he too has back-to-back half-centuries. Akila tosses it up on off, a leg-spinner by him. Dhawan sees it early goes down on one knee and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket for a maximum. IND 122/1 in 19.3 overs
18.53 IST: FOUR! CRUNCHED! Perera is just not learning! Short balls at his pace is not threatening. He bangs it short on middle, Dhawan gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. IND 116/1 in 19 overs
Drinks are on the field! India have got off to a flier here. They lost Rohit early, just like Sri Lanka lost Gunathilaka. But then just like Tharanga and Samarawickrama rebuilt the innings, Dhawan and Iyer have done the same. Their stand is worth 95 and they need another 107 to take their team home. Can Sri Lanka do what the Indians did to them or will India seal the deal early tonight?
18.48 IST: IND 109/1 in 18 overs
18.44 IST: Shorter in length on off from Pradeep, gets big on the batsman. Iyer is surprised by the bounce but does well to defend it onto the ground. 3 runs from the over. IND 106/1 in 17 overs
18.40 IST: FOUR! DEFT! What a player this guy seems to be. Pathirana drags his length back outside off, Iyer waits for the ball to do its bit and then guides it through short third man for a boundary. This also brings up the 100 for India. Only 113 more needed. IND 103/1 in 16 overs
18.38 IST: FIFTY FOR IYER! Back-to-back fifties for him. His second in ODIs and he has brought it up in quick time. A brilliant counter-attacking innings which has probably taken the game away from the Lankans. Shreyas drives the flighted ball outside off through covers to get to the milestone. IND 98/1 in 15.2 overs
18.37 IST: SIX! BANG! Shreyas Iyer loves using his feet to the spinner. We saw that in the last ODI and we can see the same now. He comes down the track and launches the ball over mid-wicket for a maximum. IND 97/1 in 15.1 overs
18.34 IST: FOUR! A good attempt by Akila but to no avail! A risky shot by Iyer but he won't hold back. He just loves playing his shots. A short ball on middle, Iyer plays the uppercut even though there is fielder at third man. He plays it quite fine. Dananjaya there runs to his left, puts it a dive but does not get a hand to it. The ball bounces and crosses the rope for a boundary. IND 90/1 in 14.3 overs
18.32 IST: FOUR! Not convincing but Iyer will take it! He comes down the track, does not get to the pitch of the ball but still goes forward with the shot. He gets a thick inside edge through square leg for a boundary. India only need another 130 now. IND 86/1 in 14 overs
18.29 IST: Fuller in length on middle from Pradeep, Dhawan drives it to mid-on for no run. Just two from the over. IND 77/1 in 13 overs
Nuwan Pradeep is called into the attack. He had a forgetful outing in the last game. Can he redeem himself?
18.23 IST: NOT OUT! Missing leg indeed! Sri Lanka lose a review. It never looked out to be honest. Pathirana bowls an arm ball on middle, Iyer plays for the turn and is beaten as he tries to defend. The ball hits him on the front pad. The bowler makes a very confident appeal and the umpire shakes his head. Perera after a chat with his teammates opts to review. Replays show there is no inside edge but the ball is missing the leg pole. The on-field decision stays. IND 75/1 in 12 overs
18.22 IST: Howzaaat! A huge appeal for an LBW by Pathirana, not given. After consulting the keeper and the bowler, Perera opts to review.
18.20 IST: FOUR! Catch it...dropped! That went quickly to Mathews! A short ball by Pathirana to start with, spins away a touch. Iyer goes back and tries to cut it late but gets an outside edge which flies to Mathews at first slip. The ball flew over him, he tried to catch it but only managed to get a hand to it and the ball races to boundary. That was a tough chance, he did well to get a hand to it. IND 71/1 in 11.1 overs
Sachith Pathirana comes into the attack.
18.19 IST: FOUR! The fifty-run stand between the two is up in no time and it is brought up in style. Mathews bowls a full ball on off, Iyer leans into it and drives it through covers for a boundary. IND 67/1 in 11 overs
18.16 IST: FOUR! Sloppy, very sloppy from the substitute! Mathews is not happy nor is the captain. Angelo bangs it short on middle, Iyer pulls it by getting on top of the bounce through mid-wicket. The fielder there runs to his left, puts it a dive but lets the ball through for a boundary. IND 60/1 in 10.2 overs
Powerplay 2 has been signalled. Now a maximum of 4 fielders can be placed outside the 30-yard circle. Also, Angelo Mathews is brought on to bowl.
18.15 IST: FOUR! Too easy for Iyer! Dananjaya errs in line and sprays it down the leg side. Iyer goes down on one knee and sweeps it fine down the leg side for a boundary. IND 55/1 in 10 overs
18.12 IST: FOUR! 50 up for the hosts. A freebie and it has been put away! A short ball by Akila on middle, Dhawan rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. He is dealing in boundaries. IND 50/1 in 9.2 overs
18.11 IST: FOUR! Full this time and it is caressed! Lakmal dishes out a full ball outside off. Dhawan leans into it and drives it through covers for another boundary. Second in the over. 13 runs from it. IND 45/1 in 9 overs
18.09 IST: FOUR! You can how many ever fielders you want on the off side he will still pierce the gap. Sri Lanka had three fielders for the cut shot but Dhawan still gets it through courtesy a misfield though. Lakmal bowls it short outside off, Dhawan cashes on the width and cuts it towards a short cover-point fielder who is late to get his hands up and the ball goes through for a boundary. IND 41/1 in 8.4 overs
18.06 IST: Flatter on off, turning back in. Iyer walks across, exposing his leg stump. He flicks it through square leg for a run. Had he not hit that he was plumb in front,. IND 32/1 in 8 overs
18.03 IST: Dhawan comes down the track to the slower ball and pushes it to mid on for a quick run. The fielder there fumbles but no extra run conceded. 2 runs from the over. IND 28/1 in 7 overs
17.59 IST: FIVE WIDES! Dhawan has put the bowler under a little pressure. Akila errs in line and fires it down the leg side. Dhawan misses his sweep. Dickwella fails to collect it and the ball races to the fine leg fence. IND 26/1 in 6 overs
17.56 IST: FOUR! Dhawan continues playing his attacking way! He comes down the track and drives it through mid on for a boundary. IND 21/1 in 5.1 overs
17.55 IST: That was close! Lakmal again bowls it outside off but this time closer to the off pole. Iyer covers his off stump and makes a watchful leave. Just a single from the over. IND 17/1 in 5 overs
Shreyas Iyer walks out at no. 3.
17.49 IST: OUT! Akila draws first blood and it is a big one of Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper. A great comeback by the youngster after being hit for a biggie. He tosses this one up on off, it is the googly by him. The ball turns back in, also stays a touch low. Sharma tries to defend but is beaten by the low bounce and the ball hits the stumps. The experiment of starting off with a spinner has paid off. Rohit Sharma walks back cheaply and an early wicket, just what the doctor ordered for Lanka. IND 14/1 in 3.4 overs
17.47 IST: SIX! Boom boom goes Sharma! Sharma comes down the track to the flighted ball, gets to the pitch of it and goes over long on for a biggie. IND 14/0 in 3.2 overs
17.45 IST: FOUR! Enough says Dhawan and fetches himself a boundary! Lakmal bowls it a touch shorter on middle, Dhawan rocks back and pulls it over short mid-wicket and the ball races away. IND 8/0 in 3 overs
17.41 IST: In the air... but does not carry! Sharma trying to take the attack to Akila. He comes down the track and tries to go big. He does not connect that well and the ball goes on the bounce to the fielder at long on. The batsmen take a run. IND 4/0 in 1.2 overs
Spin to bowl the second over! A surprise here. Akila Dananjaya will bowl with the second new ball.
17.38 IST: Maiden to start off with but not a threatening one. Lakmal again bowls it outside off. Sharma plants his front foot forward and leaves it. IND 0/0 in 1 over
17.35 IST: Welcome back for the run chase. The Lankan players along with the umpires walk out to the middle. Followed by the two Indian openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma who is fresh of a double ton in the last game. Suranga Lakmal will bowl with the first new ball. He has two slips in place. Can he get an early wicket? Sri Lanka will hope so. Here we go...
16.49 IST: OUT! That's it! Kumar wraps it up. He gets his first of the match. He lands it on a length outside off, Gunaratne tries to guide it down towards third man but gets an outside edge to Dhoni who pouches it. SRI LANKA HAVE BEEN BOWLED OUT FOR 215 in 44.5 overs!
16.46 IST: MAIDEN! Floats it around off, turning away. Pradeep is beaten as he tries to defend. Fourth time in this over the batsman has been beaten. Chahal has been unlucky he did not get an edge there. Nevertheless, Pradeep survives the over. Yuzvendra finishes off his spell with excellent figures of 10-3-46-3. SL 215/9 in 44 overs
Yuzvendra Chahal is brought back into the attack.
16.42 IST: Shorter in length outside off, Asela cuts it through point. The batsmen complete one and then run for the second. Hardik at third man gets to the ball and throws it at the bowler's end. Bumrah collects it and tries to throw it back onto the stumps but misses. Two taken by the batsmen. SL 215/9 in 43 overs
16.38 IST: Slower through the air on middle, Asela comes down the track and tries to drive. He gets an inside edge onto his pads in doing so. The ball rolls towards the leg side and the batsmen take a run. Gunaratne retains strike for the next over. SL 213/9 in 42 overs
16.35 IST: Back of a length outside off, Nuwan first thinks of playing at it but then moves his bat out of the way. SL 212/9 in 41 overs
16.30 IST: OUT! Lakmal is walking back now! Pandya with his second. He lands it on off, gets it to shape back in. Lakmal tries to drive but is beaten by the inswing. The ball hits him on the front pad and the Indians appeal. Pandya is celebrating even before he has started appealing and the umpire raises his finger. Lakmal straightaway starts walking to the dressing room as he knows he is a goner. SL 211/9 in 40.1 overs
Powerplay 3 has been signalled. Now a maximum of 5 fielders can be placed outside the circle.
16.27 IST: BOWLED 'EM! They are falling like a pack of cards here. Kuldeep gets his third and the move to bring him on has paid dividends immediately. He floats it full on leg stump, turning away. Dananjaya goes down on one knee and tries to sweep it but misses and the ball hits the stumps. Not a good idea to be sweeping a ball which is so full. Sri Lanka are now 8 down. SL 211/8 in 40 overs
Kuldeep Yadav is back into the attack.
Akila Dananjaya is the next man in.
16.21 IST: OUT! In the air... gone! Pandya gets his first! Pathirana wanted to go big but fails to get the timing right. A length delivery on the stumps, Sachith swings his bat but gets it off the toe-end of the bat towards mid on. Chahal there backpedals a bit and takes a safe catch. What a turnaround this is from India. Will Sri Lanka play out their quota of 50 overs? SL 208/7 in 38.4 overs
16.18 IST: MAIDEN! Gunaratne comes forward and drives it towards the man at mid-wicket. A maiden for Chahal. His figures now read - 9-2-46-3! SL 204/6 in 38 overs
16.15 IST: Chance of a run-out! Kumar fails to collect the ball and Asela Gunaratne gets a huge reprieve! Angles it away outside off, Pathirana taps it towards point where Karthik makes a diving stop to his left. Asela wants the single and is almost at the other end before his partner sends him back. Dinesh throws it back to the bowler but Kumar fails to collect the ball which allows Gunaratne to get back in. SL 204/6 in 37 overs
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back on.
16.10 IST: FOUR! 200 up for Sri Lanka. EDGY FOUR! Pathirana won't mind though. Chahal bowls a googly outside off. Pathirana tries to force it through the off side but gets an outside edge through the slip region for a boundary. Dhoni after that asks Chahal not to bowl that line as there is no slip in place. SL 202/6 in 36 overs
Sachith Pathirana is the next man in.
16.08 IST: OUT! That is plumb! The Indian spinners have turned it around completely. Chahal gets his third and the dangerous Perera is walking back. Once again, the turning ball is causing the problems for the Sri Lankan batsmen. Chahal lands it outside off and gets it to turn back sharply. The ball was also bowled a touch quicker and hence beating Thisara as he is late to defend it off the back foot. The ball sneaks through and hits the back pad. The Indian players appeal and the umpire raises his finger immediately. Perera walks up to his partner and after a chat reviews it. Replays roll in and Ultra Edge shows there is no bat involved and Hawk-Eye shows umpires call which is out. Perera is given his marching orders. Sri Lanka though don't lose a review as it is umpires call. Another one bites the dust for the Lankans and now the Indians will hope to wrap it up quickly. SL 197/6 in 35.1 overs
16.04 IST: Thisara is a goner! He has been adjudged LBW but after a chat with Asela he reviews. To be honest only an inside edge can save him there.
16.03 IST: Bowled on middle, Perera flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen complete two. Thisara wanted the third but is sent back by his partner. There is a chance for a run-out but the throw is at the wrong end. 8 runs from the over. SL 197/5 in 35 overs
Thisara Perera, the skipper, walks out to the middle.
15.56 IST: OUT! TIMBER! Mathews is walking back. A huge wicket for the Indians as he has been in terrific form. This is also the first time he has been dismissed in this series and it had to a gem to get him out. Chahal bowls a flighted ball, which first drifts into the batsman, pitches on middle and then turns away sharply. Mathews lunges forward and does not play for the turn as he is undone by it. The ball hits the top of off and Yuzvendra is ecstatic. Mathews can't believe it as his look says it all. Sri Lanka are completely losing the plot and the Indian spinners are once again weaving their magic. SL 189/5 in 33.5 overs
15.52 IST: Mathews pulls the short ball through mid-wicket for a run, 6 runs from the over. SL 187/4 in 33 overs
15.49 IST: FOUR! Save your head Asela! Mathews comes down the track, expecting a length ball. He gets one and bludgeons one straight back past the bowler. Asela had to move out of the way quickly there as the ball races to the long on fence. SL 186/4 in 32 .3 overs
Jasprit Bumrah who was impressive in his first spell is back into the attack.
15.47 IST: Gunaratne nails the sweep with the spin through square leg. The fielder in the deep runs to his left and makes a goo diving stop. The batsmen run one. SL 181/4 in 32 overs
15.43 IST: Shorter in length around leg stump. Asela fails to pull it. The ball brushes the pads and goes down towards fine leg for a leg bye, just a single from the over. SL 176/4 in 31 overs
15.34 IST: A bumper on the middle, Asela gets over the bounce and pulls it along the ground, down towards fine leg for a run. SL 170/4 in 29 overs
Change of ends for Hardik Pandya.
Asela Gunaratne walks in next. He got a start in the previous game and needs to play a sensible innings now.
15.29 IST: OUT! Guided straight to first slip! Two quick wickets and Kuldeep Yadav has turned it on here! The bowling change has worked for Rohit Sharma. Dickwella comes and perishes! Smart bowling! Yadav once again bowls a slower delivery outside off, Dickwella just like what he did on the previous ball tries to do it again. Gets back but this time guides it straight into the hands of Shreyas Iyer at first slip. Sri Lanka in a bit of bother now. SL 168/4 in 28 overs
15.27 IST: FOUR! Nicely done! Slower through the air, outside off, Dickwella goes back and guides it past the first slip fielder for another boundary. Pandya in the deep does well to stop but the ball still wins the race. SL 168/3 in 27.3 overs
15.26 IST: FOUR! Dickwella is off the mark straightaway! On middle and leg, Niroshan gets down and paddle sweeps it through backward square leg for a boundary to get going. SL 164/3 in 27.2 overs
Niroshan Dickwella is the next man in.
15.25 IST: OUT! Stumped! Yadav comes and strikes immediately! But credit to one man, MS Dhoni! He is just too good behind the stumps, isn't he? Another timely wicket as Tharanga was looking really dangerous. Kuldeep tosses it up outside off, Upul looks to drive it but the ball turns away and he gets beaten. Dhoni behind the stumps collects the ball and waits for a bit and then takes the bails off. He appeals and the umpire refers it upstairs. Replays show Tharanga hasn't dragged his back leg behind. It's firmly on the crease and the Giant Screen flashes OUT! SL 160/3 in 27.1 overs
15.23 IST: And an appeal straightaway. Dhoni removes the bails and appeals for a stumping. It has been taken upstairs. He isn't that confident though. Has Tharanga dragged his leg behind the line? Let's wait and find out...
Kuldeep Yadav comes back into the attack, replacing Pandya.
15.20 IST: SIX! Tharanga is dealing in maximums here. He is into the 90s now. Chahal again tosses it up on middle, right in the zone for Upul. He once again goes over wide mid on for a biggie. SL 159/2 in 26.3 overs
15.18 IST: FOUR! This is very good batting by Lanka! All the batsmen who have come out have attacked the bowlers and it is working for them until now. Mathews comes down the track to the length ball on off. He lofts it over mid-off for a boundary. SL 151/2 in 26 overs
15.14 IST: SIX! This will break the shackles! Once again, a flighted ball on off. Tharanga sees it is in his arc and goes big as he lofts it over long on for a maximum. SL 145/2 in 25 overs
15.11 IST: On a length and around middle and leg, Tharanga tucks it around the corner for a single. Good over from Pandya, just 2 runs from it. SL 138/1 in 24 overs
15.07 IST: WICKET MAIDEN! Tharanga defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. SL 136/2 in 23 overs
Angelo Mathews walks out to the middle. He is fresh of a ton in the last game. Can he replicate his form here?
15.04 IST: OUT! Chahal provides the breakthrough and the crowd erupts. A much-needed one for the Indians. A false shot again by Sadeera, he has been riding his luck throughout his innings but this time he runs out of it. Yuzvendra tosses it up outside off, gets it to turn away. Samarawickrama comes down the track but does not quite get to the pitch of the ball. He still tries to go inside out but only manages to slice it to the man at sweeper covers. Dhawan there positions himself under it and takes it. He also performs his trademark celebration by turning towards the crowd. Sadeera walks back after getting a start. The 121-run stand comes to an end. Can India now build on this? SL 136/2 in 22.3 overs
14.59 IST: FOUR! Excellent timing! Shorter in length outside off by Pandya. Sadeera times it through backward point and such is the outfield that the ball races tot he fence. SL 133/1 in 21.2 overs
Hardik Pandya is back into the attack. He was expensive in his first spell, can he turn it around?
14.57 IST: FOUR! Easy pickings for Tharanga! The leg break is too straight and allows him to sweep it. Tharanga gets it away very fine down the leg side and Bumrah who was squarer at fine leg gave up the chase early. SL 129/1 in 21 overs
14.52 IST: DROPPED! A touch one but should have been taken at this level. Yadav gives it air on middle. Seeing the flight, Sadeera comes down the track and tries to flick it over mid-wicket. He does not get the elevation desired. The ball goes towards Dinesh Karthik who jumps high and tries to take it can't. He then recovers and tries to take it on the second attempt but fails to get to it. A run taken by the batsmen in the meantime. Karthik would only wish he was a little taller there. SL 118/1 in 19.2 overs
14.51 IST: FOUR! 100-run stand up between Tharanga and Samarawickrama. That shot is playing on the mind of Chahal! He again bowls it short and outside off. Too easy for Tharanga as he rocks back and cuts it through point for a boundary. 14 runs from the over. SL 117/1 in 19 overs
14.49 IST: SIX! That has gone up and over the fence! What a shot! Chahal gives it air on middle, Tharanga lofts it over the bowler's head for a maximum. SL 111/1 in 18.3 overs
14.47 IST: Beautiful! Yadav is not afraid to toss the ball up. He once again does so, lands it just outside off. Tharanga gets down on one knee to slog sweep it but the ball turns away to beat him all ends up. This wasn't far from the off pole either. 3 runs from the over. SL 103/1 in 18 overs
Drinks are on the field. This is some start for Sri Lanka. They have come out with a lot of intent and it has worked so far for them. Tharanga has already notched up his fifty while Samarawickrama has done justice to his selection. The Indians need to break this stand and it will be interesting to see if the spinners can put a lid on the scoring rate now...
14.41 IST: 100 up for the tourists. Slightly shorter in length around off, spinning in. Tharanga easily works it towards mid-wicket to change strike. They will be delighted with how things have gone. SL 100/1 in 17 overs
So spin from both ends now. Yuzvendra Chahal to roll his arm over. Let's see what the leggie can do here.
14.37 IST: FOUR! TOP SHOT! Sadeera has used his feet exceptionally well and here is an example. He charges down the track and gets to the pitch of the ball. He lofts it straight back past the bowler to collect a boundary. SL 93/1 in 16.1 overs
14.36 IST: Bouncer on the middle. Sadeera pulls it through mid-wicket. Chahal in the deep runs to his left and stops the ball with a dive but can't prevent two. SL 89/1 in 16 overs
14.32 IST: Cracking delivery! Kuldeep bowls a googly which completely foxes Upul. He fails to read it and tries to defend it leaving a gap between bat and pad. The ball sneaks through and goes extremely close to the off pole. 3 runs from the over. SL 84/1 in 14 overs
14.25 IST: FOUR! Uppish but in the gap! All the luck going Sri Lanka's way here. Kumar bangs it short as Sadeera was walking down the pitch quite often. Samarawickrama still takes on the challenge of pulling it. He gets a top edge but between fine leg and deep square leg for a boundary. SL 80/1 in 12.4 overs
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back into the attack.
14.21 IST: FIFTY FOR THARANGA! His 36th in ODIs. It has been a very exciting one here. Kuldeep dishes out a fuller ball on off, Upul drives it towards long off for a run. He has to make it big if Sri Lanka are to get to a decent total here. SL 73/1 in 11.1 overs
Time for spin! Kuldeep Yadav is into the attack.
14.19 IST: FOUR! This spoils the over! Pandya bowls it on middle, Sadeera walks across and flicks it through square leg for a boundary. Pandya has conceded 6 boundaries in his last 11 balls. SL 72/1 in 11 overs
Powerplay 2 has been signalled. Now a maximum of 4 fielders can be placed outside the circle till the 40th over.
14.15 IST: Played to the point region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. 3 runs from the over. SL 68/1 in 10 overs
14.11 IST: FOUR! 5 in a row! Upul Tharanga is in the mood now! This is the best of the lot! Once again keeps it full, slower in pace. UT stands tall and hits it off the meat over mid off for another boundary. Runs coming at a quick pace for the Lankans. SL 65/1 in 9 overs
14.10 IST: FOUR! Up and past the man at mid-off! Fuller in length and outside off, Tharanga decided to go after it. Chips it aerially past the diving mid off fielder for the third boundary of the over. SL 57/1 in 8.3 overs
14.09 IST: FOUR! And again! Not off the middle but had enough the clear mid on! Fuller and angling in, Upul chips it over mid on. The fielder there was interested but the ball sails over him and goes to the fence for back-to-back boundaries. 50 up for the visitors. SL 53/1 in 8.2 overs
14.08 IST: FOUR! Edged and away! Pandya from around the wicket, hurls a length delivery outside off, Tharanga looks to go hard at it. Gets a thick outside edge through the vacant slip cordon for a boundary to start the over. SL 49/1 in 8.1 overs
14.03 IST: Tharanga falls over as he shuffles across, nudges this towards mid-on. SL 45/1 in 7 overs
14.00 IST: FOUR! Poor ball and dispatched! Short and wide by Pandya outside off, Tharanga cashes in on the width offered and cuts it through point. Kuldeep in the deep runs to his left but can't get to it. SL 45/1 in 6.1 overs
First bowling change for today. Hardik Pandya is brought into the attack. A forced change maybe as 22 runs have been hit off the last two overs.
13.59 IST: NOT OUT! That is an easy decision, should have never been taken upstairs. Samarawickrama tries to defend the length ball around off by coming down the track. He gets an outside edge in the process towards first slip. Dhawan crouches low to take it but is not sure whether it is clean or not. The umpires to be very sure go upstairs and replays show it has bounced before going into the hands. The umpires signal not out. Samarawickrama played that with soft hands and that is what saved him there. SL 41/1 in 6 overs
13.56 IST: FOUR! They are dealing in boundaries here! Bumrah bowls a slower ball on off. Tharanga reads it well and just times it through covers for another boundary. SL 38/1 in 5.3 overs
13.55 IST: FOUR! Bumrah sprays on the pads, too easy for Tharanga, he loves it there. He flicks it over square leg to fetch him self another boundary. SL 34/1 in 5.2 overs
13.53 IST: FOUR! Crunched! 10 runs from the last 3 balls. Shorter in length around middle, Tharanga gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. SL 30/1 in 5 overs
13.52 IST: FOUR! Tharanga gets into the act this time. Kumar bowls it fuller on off, Upul lofts it over mid on and it goes on the bounce, over the fence for a boundary. SL 23/1 in 4.3 overs
13.49 IST: FOUR! Off the mark in style! Bumrah bowls it on middle, Sadeera walks across and flicks it through mid-wicket. Pandya hares after it, puts in a dive but all in vain. SL 19/1 in 4 overs
Sadeera Samarawickrama strides out at no. 3.
13.47 IST: OUT! One shot too many by Gunathilaka! He once again comes down the track and tries to go big. Seeing him coming down, Bumrah hits it hard on a length. Gunathilaka still goes ahead with the shot, even though he was not to the pitch of the ball. He does not get the connection desired and mistimes it straight to mid on. Rohit Sharma stationed there takes it easily. An early strike for India, just what they needed. A disappointed Danushka walks back. He showed a lot of intent but not a lot of control in his thinking. SL 15/1 in 3.4 overs
13.43 IST: FOUR! Gunathilaka has opted for the attacking approach! He comes down the track to the ball which is not that short. He pulls it through square leg and fetches himself a boundary. He might have been given the license from the dressing room to go after the bowlers. SL 14/0 in 3 overs
13.39 IST: In the air...but in the gap! Bumrah once again lands it on a length around off, gets it to bounce extra. Gunathilaka, tries to drive but is early into his shot. The ball goes uppishly but through the vacant cover-point region for a couple. 4 runs from the over. SL 9/0 in 2 overs
Jasprit Bumrah will bowl with the second new ball. He too has two slips in place.
13.35 IST: A similar delivery to the last one. Tharanga once again walks across and clips it to mid-wicket. 5 runs from the first over. SL 5/0 in 1 over
13.33 IST: FOUR! Great way to get going. That was hit with so much authority. All signs of the wicket being slow have been vanished with that shot. A length ball by Kumar just outside off, Gunathilaka, stands tall and strokes it on the up, through covers for a boundary. SL 4/0 in 0.3 overs
13.30 IST: Bright sunshine welcomes us here in Visakhapatnam. The Indian team are in a huddle near the boundary ropes and now they walk to the middle. Upul Tharanga and Danushka Gunathilaka will open the batting the batting for Sri Lanka. They will hope to provide their team with a good star. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will open the bowling for India. He has two slips in place. Here we go...
13.25 IST: Both the teams along with the umpires walk out for their respective national anthems. The away side will sing their first, followed by the Indians.
13.15 IST: TEAMS -
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Danushka Gunathilaka, Upul Tharanga, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Asela Gunaratne, Thisara Perera (C), Sachith Pathirana, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal
13.10 IST:
13.08 IST: Sri Lankan skipper, Perera feels, it is a really good wicket to bat on. He says they would want to put up a good score on the board. Opines the dew might play an issue but the wicket is good for batting. Admits they did not bowl well in the last game and they would hope to execute their plans today. Informs there is one change in the side, Sadeera Samarawickrama comes into the side in place of Lahiru Thirimanne.
13.03 IST: Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma says, they will bowl first. Opines it is hot for now but as the game goes on it will cool down. Mentions dew is the reason for them to bowl first. Admits a win in the last game was very important for them to stay alive in the series. Reckons everybody chipped in with ball and bat. Further adds this team has got character and they take up the responsibility when needed. Informs there is one change to his side, Washington Sundar is a little sick and Kuldeep Yadav comes into the side for him.
13.00 IST: TOSS - Rohit tosses the coin, Perera calls heads... but tails it is and India win the toss for the first time in the series and they elect to bowl first.
12.56 IST: Pitch report - Sunil Gavaskar and Russel Arnold feel this is a very good batting pitch. Further, add it is nice and hard. Reckon the bowlers can get a little bounce and lift as there is a little grass in the middle. Opine the cracks won't make a difference as it is a one-dayer. Win the toss and bowl first as dew might come into play, later on, say the two.
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Brief Preview: An imposing line-up and an impeccable record in this port city make India the clear favourites as they seek to clinch another series win against Sri Lanka in the third and final One-day International. India have not lost a series at home since the defeat to South Africa in October 2015.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are seeking to win their first ever bilateral series in India, having lost eight and drawn one. Skipper Rohit Sharma led the fightback for India in Mohali with a superb double century, his third in ODIs after the team had been outplayed in the series opener in Dharamsala. Sharma and his men will look to ride the momentum after a big win in the second game and seal the series at the ACA-VDCA stadium. (Read Full Preview Here)
