India registered another emphatic 168-run win over Sri Lanka in the fourth ODI at Colombo to take a 4-0 lead in the five-match series. After winning the toss and opting to bat, skipper Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma struck magnificent hundreds to lead India's charge on a flat deck against a clueless Sri Lankan bowling attack. Manish Pandey (50*) and MS Dhoni (49*) also contributed with the bat to take India's total beyond the 350-run mark. Sri Lanka never managed to get on with the chase and kept losing wickets at regular intervals to get bundled out for 207. Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya picked up two wickets each. For the home side, a loss today has dampened their chances of direct qualification for the 2019 World Cup. They will have to put all that behind and come out fighting in the next game which will be played on 3rd September 2017 at 1430 local time (0900 GMT). Do join us for it. Till then, take care and cheers! (SCORECARD)
HIGHLIGHTS FROM INDIA VS SRI LANKA, 4TH ODI IN COLOMBO
SRI LANKA INNINGS
22.03 IST: Man of the Match, Virat Kohli says it was another good game for them. Mentions they did not want to be complacent. Admits they wanted to bat first as the pitch looked amazing for batting. Reckons it was a good toss to win and they got plenty of runs on the board which put the team chasing, under pressure. Ends by informing they will continue to experiment with the side.
21.59 IST: Lasith Malinga admits that 300 ODI wickets is a special moment and he still looks forward to continue playing for the nation. Adds that it's difficult to motivate the team as they haven't scored 250-plus in the last 5 matches. Mentions that the youngsters were excited and hence they couldn't perform to their potential. He hopes that they come back stronger and perform well for their nation in the coming matches.
21.56 IST: And the domination continues... India outplayed Sri Lanka and has handed them their biggest-ever home defeat by runs in ODIs. After posting a mammoth total of 375 on the board, India continued their good work with the ball. Their bowlers made full use of the scoreboard pressure and were off to a superb start, scalping three early wickets.
21.55 IST:
21.51 IST: OUT! An emphatic victory for India! Loopy ball on off, turning back in. Malinga is way too early in the sweep and misses it completely. The ball rattles the stumps to give Kuldeep his second. Two in two for him. Sri Lanka have been bowled out here. INDIA WIN BY 168 RUNS!
Lasith Malinga is the last man in.
21.48 IST: OUT! Kuldeep removes Fernando for 5. Another one bites the dust! Slower through the air on off, turning back in. Fernando tries to go over covers but gets it off the inner half straight back to the bowler. Kuldeep takes a very easy catch. The Lankans are nine down now. SL 207/9 in 42.1 overs
21.46 IST: FOUR! TOP SHOT! Floats it up outside off, Fernando goes inside out, over covers for a boundary. SL 207/8 in 42.1 overs
21.44 IST: FOUR! 200 comes up for Sri Lanka. DRILLED! Short again on off, Danajaya slams it back past the bowler and the ball races to the fence. SL 203/8 in 42 overs
21.43 IST: OUT! Bumrah removes Pushpakumara for 3. He continues taking wickets. He has had a gala time with the ball in this series. Persist with the short ball around off, Pushpakumara tries to ramp it but hits it straight to the man at third man. Pandya stationed there runs forward and takes it comfortably. India are inching close to victory here. SL 196/8 in 41.2 overs
21.40 IST: No intent shown by the Sri Lankan batsmen to put up a fight here. They have already given by on the chase. SL 195/7 in 41 overs
21.37 IST: Brilliant over from Bumrah, just a single came off it. SL 192/7 in 40 overs
Jasprit Bumrah is into the attack.
21.34 IST: MAIDEN from Yadav! SL 191/7 in 39 overs
Kuldeep Yadav is brought back into the attack.
Malinda Pushpakumara the debutant is the new man in.
21.29 IST: OUT! Patel gets the big fish! Bowls it beautifully, slower through the air and wide outside off. Mathews dances down, tries to go after the bowler with a big hoick. However, the ball spins away and catches the top edge. It balloons towards Shradul Thakur at short third man, who doesn't make any mistake. Mathews walks back after playing a good knock. This will boost his confidence for the coming matches! SL 190/7 in 37.2 overs
21.27 IST: FOUR! Mathews stands tall! Fired in on middle and leg, Mathews kneels down and sweeps it uppishly through square leg for a boundary. SL 190/6 in 37.1 overs
21.26 IST: 4 runs from Pandya's over. SL 186/6 in 37 overs
21.22 IST: Dananjaya prods forward and places towards mid on. 2 runs from the over SL 182/6 in 36 overs
21.18 IST: 3 runs from Pandya's over. SL 180/6 in 35 overs
Akila Dananjaya comes out to bat.
21.14 IST: OUT! Wanidu Hasaranga run-out for 22. No, the dive doesn't save him! Arm ball around off, turned on the leg side. Hasaranga from the other end takes off for a single but Mathews isn't interested in it, seeing Bumrah get to the ball in a hurry. Wanidu has a long way to track back and Jasprit hurls an accurate throw towards his bowler. Axar Patel just parries it onto the stumps as Hasaranga puts in a dive. The umpire goes upstairs and the replay shows that the Lankan is well short of his crease. The struggle continues for them and Mathews keeps running out of partners! SL 177/6 in 34 overs, need 199 runs to win
21.12 IST: FOUR! Now, Mathews gets into the act! Full and sliding into the batsman, Mathews kneels down and slog sweeps it wide of long off. Pandya in the deep, runs to his right but the ball is far from him. 15 runs off the over already. SL 177/5 in 33.5 overs
21.11 IST: SIX! This time it's even better! Flat outside off, Hasaranga dances down the track and tonks it straight down the ground. Connects it off the meat and the ball gets dumped into the stands. SL 172/5 in 33.3 overs
21.10 IST: FOUR! One bounce and into the fence! Full around off, Hasaranga kneels down and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket. Gets it in the gap and the ball crosses the fence on the bounce. A boundary is signalled! SL 166/5 in 33.2 overs
Time for Drinks!
21.06 IST: Just two runs from Shardul's over. SL 162/5 in 33 overs
21.02 IST: Good comeback from Axar after conceding a boundary on the first ball of the over, 6 runs from it. SL 160/5 in 32 overs
20.59 IST: FOUR! Hasaranga joins the party now. Picks his spot perfectly as there was no man out there. Flatter on the stumps, Milinda goes down on one knee and sweeps it over mid-wicket for a boundary. SL 158/5 in 31.1 overs
20.58 IST: FOUR! Mathews taking the charge! He dances down the track and drills it hard past mid on. The ball races away to the fence in a flash. That was hit hard! SL 154/5 in 31 overs
20.57 IST: Fifty for Angelo Mathews! Mathews gets to his half century! The ball is pitched wide outside off, Mathews stretches his arms and cuts it past the point fielder for a single. It has been a good knock from the ex-skipper but he didn't get the support from the other end. SL 149/4 in 30.4 overs
Shardul Thakur is back in the attack.
20.54 IST: 3 singles from Axar Patel's over. SL 147/5 in 30 overs
20.52 IST: 9 runs and a wicket from Pandya's over. SL 144/5 in 29 overs
20.46 IST: OUT! Pandya removes Siriwardana for 39. Just like last time, he was hit for a biggie and then takes the wicket of the next ball. He gets his second. Fuller in length outside off, Siriwardana goes for the expansive drive but gets an outside edge to the keeper who takes it. Siriwardana is walking back after playing a good cameo. Sri Lanka are 5 down now and they require another 235 runs in 130 balls. SL 141/5 in 28.2 overs
20.44 IST: SIX! A great pickup shot there by Siriwardana. COmes from around the wicket and angles it full into the pads. Milinda with the angle flicks it over the fence at mid-wicket for a maximum. SL 141/4 in 28.1 overs
20.43 IST: 6 runs from Axar Patel's over. SL 135/4 in 28 overs
20.41 IST: FOUR! Axar bowls a round arm delivery down the leg side, Mathews tickles it fine down the leg side for a boundary. That was too easy for him. SL 133/4 in 27.1 overs
20.40 IST: FOUR! Lovely timing! Fuller in length outside off, Siriwardana drives it through covers for a boundary. That made a cracking sound of the bat. SL 129/4 in 27 overs
20.38 IST: FOUR! SLAPPED! Shorter in length on off, Mathews slaps it through mid-wicket for a boundary. SL 124/4 in 26.3 overs
Fifty partnership between Mathews and Siriwardana.
20.35 IST: FOUR! Poor, poor ball. Short and on leg stump. Siriwardana goes back and pulls it powerfully through square leg for a boundary. SL 119/4 in 26 overs
20.33 IST: 3 singles from Kuldeep's over. SL 113/4 in 25 overs
20.28 IST: FOUR! They need a lot more! Slower through the air on off, Mathews picks it up over mid-wicket and the ball races to the fence. SL 110/4 in 24 overs
20.27 IST: A single from Kuldeep's over. The required run-rate is constantly climbing up for the hosts. SL 104/4 in 23 overs
20.24 IST: Axar is bowling a tight line here, 3 runs from his over. SL 103/4 in 22 overs
20.21 IST: SIX! That is going, going and gone. Great use of the feet there by Siriwardana. Comes down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and hits it over the long on fence. There was a fielder there but it cleared him quite easily.100 comes up for Sri Lanka. SL 100/4 in 21 overs
20.18 IST: Tidy start from Axar, four runs from his first over. SL 91/3 in 20 overs
Axar Patel, left-arm orthodox, introduced into the attack
20.15 IST: Just a single from Kuldeep's over. SL 87/4 in 19 overs
20.12 IST: Good over for the hosts, 12 runs came off it. SL 86/4 in 18 overs
20.09 IST: FOUR! CRUNCHED! Bowls a bouncer, Mathews swivels inside the crease and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. SL 83/4 in 17.4 overs
20.07 IST: FOUR! Poor line! Length outside off, width on offer. Siriwardana cashes in and cuts it through point for a boundary. SL 78/4 in 17.1 overs
20.07 IST: A boundary and two singles from Kuldeep Yadav's over. SL 74/4 in 17 overs
20.04 IST: FOUR! Gift for Mathews but still has to be put away. A full toss outside off, it might have slipped out of his hand. Angelo leans into it and drives it through covers for a boundary. SL 72/4 in 16.1 overs
Milinda Siriwardana walks out to bat.
20.03 IST: OUT! Pandya removes Lahiru Thirimanne for 18. Pandya gets his revenge! Having been hit for a biggie in the previous ball, Pandya gets his man the next ball. Thirimanne would consider himself a touch unlucky as that was hit really well but holes out. Shorter outside off this time. Thirimanne cuts it uppishly. Dhawan at sweeper cover runs to his right and takes a very good catch. Thirimanne cannot believe it. He walks back dejected. The fourth one down for the Lankans. SL 68/4 in 16 overs
20.01 IST: SIX! BANG! A much-needed one for the home side. Bangs in a short ball. Thirimanne pulls it over the fine leg fence for a maximum. SL 68/3 in 15.5 overs
19.57 IST: Mathews works it with the spin through mid-wicket for a run. 3 runs from Kuldeep's over. SL 61/3 in 15 overs
Kuldeep Yadav is now into the attack.
Time for Drinks!
19.52 IST: SL 57/3 in 14 overs
19.50 IST: FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Once again Kohli drops it short and angling down leg. Mathews goes back and works it through the same region. The result is also the same. Kohli giving easy runs to the Lankans. SL 57/3 in 13.3 overs
19.49 IST: FOUR! Poor delivery, punished! Short and sliding down leg, Mathews camps back and tucks it to perfection. It goes through the backward square leg region and to the fence there. SL 53/3 in 13.2 overs
19.48 IST: Indian bowlers are giving nothing away at the moment, another tight over from Pandya. SL 49/3 in 13 overs
19.45 IST: Four runs from Kohli's over. SL 48/3 in 12 overs
Now, that's a surprise! Virat Kohli experiments with himself with the ball. Will his wobbly-wobbly stuff work?
19.41 IST: 4 singles from Pandya's over. SL 44/3 in 11 overs
Hardik Pandya is into the attack.
Powerplay 2 has been signalled. A maximum of four fielders are allowed outside the circle till the 40th over.
19.36 IST: Edged and short of second slip. Mathews hung his bat away from the body, the ball straightened to take the outside edge. 2 runs from the over. SL 40/3 in 10 overs
19.32 IST: Another tidy over from the debutant, just a single from Thakur's over. SL 38/3 in 9 overs
Angelo Mathews is the new man in. He has to step up for the hosts to make a match of this.
19.27 IST: OUT! Bumrah removes Munaweera for 11. Dhoni, you beauty! He has got another one right! What a 300th ODI he is having. Bumrah bowls it on a back of a length, angling down leg. Munaweera flirts with it but seems to have missed it as the ball lands in Dhoni's gloves. He once again hears something and starts appealing. The umpire stays put and India go for the review again. Replays show that the front foot is fine and Ultra Edge detects ball brushing the glove once again. Another superb use of review by the visitors. Dhoni is having a great time behind the stumps. Bumrah adds another to his tally of wickets in the series. Sri Lanka have been rocked hard early. SL 37/3 in 8 overs, need 339 runs to win
19.25 IST: Once again Dhoni has heard something when Munaweera tried flirting with a delivery down the leg side. Kohli has opted for the review.
19.20 IST: FOUR! Up and over! On a good length outside off, Munaweera just lofts it through the line. It's played on the up and the ball sails over the man at mid off and to the fence there. SL 37/2 in 7.2 overs
19.19 IST: 5 runs from Shardul Thakur's over. SL 33/2 in 7 overs
19.16 IST: FOUR! Nicely done! A touch ahead of a length around off, angling away. Thirimanne drives it on the up. Gets it through the gap in the cover-point region for a boundary. SL 32/2 in 6.3 overs
19.15 IST: Just two runs and a wicket in Bumrah's over. SL 28/2 in 6 overs
Lahiru Thirimanne strides out to bat. He has scored 50-plus in his last three ODIs against India.
19.12 OUT! A run-out. Needless, the last thing Sri Lanka wanted. Bumrah bowls it from wide of the crease and on a length around off. Munaweera defends it towards Pandya at point. Mendis sets off for a run. The ball bounces right into the hands off Hardik who scores a direct hit at the non-striker's end. The Indians appeal and the umpire goes upstairs. Replays show that Mendis was well short off his crease. Sri Lanka have lost another and are in big trouble now. Mendis the big fish is walking back. SL 26/2 in 5.2 overs
19.09 IST: SL 26/1 in 5 overs
19.05 IST: Brilliant over from Bumrah, just a single from it. SL 23/1 in 4 overs
19.02 IST: 5 runs and a wicket from Thakur's over. SL 22/1 in 3 overs
Kusal Mendis is the new man in.
18.59 IST: OUT! Shardul removes Dickwella for 14. Shardul Thakur gets his first ODI wicket! A lot of credit should be given to Dhoni there. A brilliant review by him. A big, big wicket, Dickwella is walking back. Thakur bangs in a short one down the leg side. Niroshan goes for the pull and the ball goes off something to Dhoni who catches it and appeals. The umpire gives it not out. Dhoni says he heard a noise and he asks Virat to review. Kohli does so and the umpire goes upstairs. Replays show that there was a spike on Ultra Edge as the ball passes the glove. The on-field call has to be overturned. Thakur is delighted. SL 22/1 in 2.4 overs vs IND (375/5)
18.58 IST: There is review for a caught behind by India against Dickwella. Dhoni is quite confident about it as he informs his skipper that he has heard some sound. Kohli puts his faith in the keeper and takes the review.
18.55 IST: FOUR! Starts off the over with a boundary. Shorter on leg stump. Dickwella comes in line and pulls it through square leg for a boundary. SL 21/0 in 2.1 overs
18.54 IST: Slower ball outside off, Dickwella guides it down to third man for a run. 14 runs from Bumrah's over. SL 17/0 in 2 overs
18.52 IST: FIVE WIDES! Bumrah has got nothing right in the first over. Bowls an inswinger down the leg side. Dickwella lets it be. Dhoni dives to his right to collect it but fails to do so. The ball races down to the fine leg fence. The umpire also signals a wide. SL 16/0 in 1.3 overs
18.51 IST: FOUR! This is even better than the shot one ball ago! A touch ahead of a length on middle, Dickwella whips it over mid-wicket for a boundary. The Lankans are on the charge here. SL 11/0 in 1.3 overs
18.50 IST: FOUR! Easy for Dickwella. Bumrah bowls it on the pads, Dickwella flicks it over the square leg fielder for a boundary. SL 7/0 in 1.1 overs
The in-form Jasprit Bumrah will bowl from the other end with the second new ball.
18.49 IST: First runs for Munaweera in ODI cricket! Shorter in length outside off, Dilshan camps back and pushes it through cover-point. The fielder from point gives it chase and keeps it down to two. Decent start from Thakur, just three runs from it. SL 3/0 in 1 over
The players are out in the middle. Nirsohan Dickwell to open with Dilshan Munaweera today. Debutant Shardul Thakur to start the proceedings with the first new ball. Here we go...
18.10 IST: FIFTY for Manish Pandey! Second ODI fifty for him. Full toss on middle and off, Pandey tries to have a whack at it but ends up mistime it over mid-wicket. Only a single results. With this Manish Pandey gets to his half century while Dhoni is left stranded on 49!
INDIA FINISH ON 375/5! This is the third highest first-innings total in Sri Lanka and the highest against the hosts. IND 375/5 in 50 overs
18.09 IST: Full and angling in, Dhoni drills it hard towards long on. He turns around for a second but Pandey sends him back. 100-run partnership for Dhoni and Pandey!
18.06 IST: FOUR! That's been smashed! Full outside off, Dhoni clears his front leg and thumps it over extra cover for a boundary. IND 369/5 in 49.1 overs
18.04 IST: 8 runs from the over, a good one from Fernando keeping in mind the situation of the match. IND 365/5 in 49 overs
18.02 IST: FOUR! Dhoni keeps on punishing! Full toss around off, Dhoni slams it over extra cover for a boundary. IND 362/5 in 48.3 overs
18.00 IST: SIX! Bang! Another slower one on the stumps, Dhoni covers his stumps and clobbers it over mid-wicket for a biggie. All eyes on Munaweera. Colossal hit from the former skipper, that's gone out of here. IND 357/5 in 48 overs
17.57 IST: DROPPED! The fielding woes continue for Sri Lanka! Slower one wide outside off, Dhoni looks to hammer it away but ends up getting a top edge. The ball swirls high in the air. Munaweera at backward point, gets under the ball but ends up spilling it. Malinga is not happy and he starts walking back to his run-up mark. A single is taken. Dhoni gets a reprieve and he will now look to make the most of his life. IND 344/5 in 47.1 overs
17.55 IST: 11 runs from Fernando's over, India finishing it strong here. IND 343/5 in 47 overs
17.53 IST: FOUR! Easily done! Full and slanting away from the batsman. Pandey goes inside out, lofts it with a nice timing on it. The ball goes on a couple of bounces across the fence. IND 337/5 in 46.2 overs
17.51 IST: FOUR! Flat hit from MS Dhoni over the covers, brilliant shot.Dhoni power! Full outside off, Dhoni smashes it over extra cover. The ball just falls short of the fence there and a boundary is signalled. The runs keep on coming! IND 332/5 in 46 overs
17.47 IST: 50 partnership between Pandey and Dhoni!
17.45 IST: FOUR! Well placed! Angling away from the right-hander. Manish Pandey cleverly uses the angle and just guides it finer down the off side. Even short third man can't get to it and the ball races away to the fence. India crosses the 320-run mark! IND 323/5 in 45 overs
Vishwa Fernando is back into the attack.
17.41 IST: FOUR! Drilled hard! Full around off, Dhoni tonks it hard down the ground. Beats the man at mid off and finds the fence. 9 runs from Malinga's over. IND 314/5 in 44 overs
Lasith Malinga brings himself back into the attack.
17.35 IST: FOUR! Once again Siriwardana gets his line wrong. Sprays it outside leg, Dhoni shovels it fine down the leg side and the ball races away to the fence. Second boundary of the over and that's 300 up for India! IND 305/5 in 43 overs
17.34 IST: FOUR! Really poor ball, this! Short and sliding down leg. Pandey covers his stumps and slams it over backward square leg for a boundary. India trying to get a move on. IND 298/5 in 42.1 overs
17.32 IST: 9 runs from the over, good one for India. IND 294/5 in 42 overs
17.30 IST: FOUR! Great use of the feet and wrists! Pandey dances down the track and whips it through mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep put in a full-stretched dive but failed to prevent it from crossing the fence. A boundary after 43 balls! IND 289/5 in 41.1 overs
17.30 IST: Just a single from Siriwardana's over. IND 285/5 in 41 overs
Milinda Siriwardana is back on. So, left-arm spinners from both ends now.
Powerplay 3 has been signalled. Now, a maximum of 5 fielders are allowed outside the circle.
17.27 IST: 5 runs from Pushpakumara's over. IND 284/5 in 40 overs
Malinda Pushpakumara comes into the attack.
17.23 IST: Another Maiden from Angelo Mathews! IND 279/5 in 39 overs
17.19 IST: FOUR LEG BYES! Darts it on the pads, Dhoni fails to flick it and it goes off the pads to the short leg fielder. Mendis there collects and has a shy at the non-striker's end to everyone's surprise. Malinga did not expect it and was not backing up as the ball crosses the rope. That would have been close as Pandey was backing up a long way there. IND 279/5 in 38 overs
17.18 IST: MS Dhoni now walks out to the middle. 300th ODI for him and he will surely look to make it count.
17.17 IST: OUT! Dananjaya strikes! Another one bites the dust! Rahul's poor run in this series continues and he falls to Dananjaya again. Bowls a googly on middle, Rahul tries to flick it uppishly to the man at short mid-wicket. Wanidu Hasaranga there jumps and takes a very easy catch. Sri Lanka are just crawling their way back into the game. A soft dismissal there. India's middle-order woes continue. Dananjaya removes KL Rahul for 7. IND 274/5 in 37.4 overs
17.15 IST: Mathews bowls a cutter on off, Pandey pushes it down to long on for a run. 6 runs from the over. IND 271/4 in 37 overs
17.11 IST: Just 3 runs from Akila Dananjaya's over. IND 265/4 in 36 overs
Akila Dananjaya comes back into the attack.
17.08 IST: A double wicket Maiden from Mathews. Brilliant stuff from the experienced player. IND 262/4 in 35 overs
Manish Pandey strides out to bat. He will be facing the hat-trick ball from Angelo Mathews in his comeback game. Let's see what happens next...
17.04 IST: OUT! Two-in-two for Mathews. Just the over Sri Lanka needed. This time it is the centurion who is walking back. The short ball does the trick again. Angelo bangs it in short ball on off, Sharma tries to upper cut it but gets a feather to Dickwella who pouches it. He appeals and the umpire raises his finger. A very entertaining knock by Rohit comes to an end. An opening here for Lanka? Mathews removes Rohit Sharma for 104. IND 262/4 in 34.4 overs
Lokesh Rahul is the new man in.
17.02 IST: OUT! It does not cost them a lot. Akila will breathe a sigh of relief! Mathews bangs in a short one, which gets big on Pandya. Hardik pulls it but fails to keep it down and holes out to Hasaranga at deep mid-wicket. He makes no mistake this time. He runs to his left and takes it. Pandya rode his luck out there but finally has to depart. An important wicket for the Lankans. The crowd erupts here in Colombo. Mathews removes Hardik Pandya for 19. IND 262/3 in 34.3 overs
17.01 IST: DROPPED! Oh, Dananjaya you cannot be dropping these! Mathews bowls a slower one on off, Pandya tries to go over cover but does not get the elevation and hits it to the fielder there. Akila gets two hands to it but spills it. How costly could this drop prove? We all know how dangerous Pandya can get. Mathews is not pleased here. IND 262/3 in 34.1 overs
Angelo Mathews is back on for a spell.
16.59 IST: FOUR! Bangs in a short one again. Rohit takes on the challenge of pulling this time. The ball takes the glove and goes very fine down the leg side for a boundary. IND 262/2 in 34 overs
16.57 IST: FOUR! HUNDRED for Rohit Sharma! Take a bow hitman. Back-to-back hundreds for him. He is on a roll. Sharma also gets there in style. Malinga bowls a full toss on leg stump. Rohit times his drive through mid on for a boundary. He is extremely happy about it, which shows in his celebration. IND 258/2 in 33.4 overs
Time for Drinks!
16.52 IST: 12 runs from Dananjaya's over, good one for India. IND 252/1 in 33 overs
16.51 IST: 250 comes up for India, IND 250/2 in 32.4 overs
16.48 IST: SIX! TONKED! Tosses it up this time, Pandya goes down on one knee and hits it over the long on fence for a maximum. He is just going after every ball here. IND 246/2 in 32.2 overs
16.47 IST: Four runs from Malinga's over, a good one for the hosts. IND 240/2 in 32 overs
16.42 IST: NOT OUT! A successful review for India! Danajaya sees Pandya coming down the track and shortens his length. Pandya adjusts and tries to defend it but the ball goes off something to the fielder at short leg. He catches it and appeals as the umpire gives it out. Pandya immediately reviews and also signals that he has not hit it. Replays show that there was no bat involved there so, they now check for the lbw. The impact is more than three meters down the track so it is not out. The umpire has to overturn his decision. Pandya survives to live another day. IND 236/2 in 31 overs
16.41 IST: Hardik Pandya has been adjudged caught at short leg. He though is sure that he has not nicked it and has taken the review straightaway.
16.40 IST: FOUR! BOOM! That was hit hard. Pandya once again uses his feet and gets to the pitch of the ball. He bludgeons it straight down the ground for a boundary. IND 236/1 in 30.4 overs
16.36 IST: FOUR! Easy-peasy! Full toss on the pads, Rohit eases it through mid on for a boundary. He moves into the 90s now. IND 230/2 in 30 overs
So as mentioned earlier, it's Hardik Pandya who comes out to bat next. Expect the Indians to go all guns blazing from hereon.
16.32 IST: OUT! Lasith Malinga Malinga removes Virat Kohli for 131. 300th ODI wicket for Malinga! The change in bat has brought change in fortunes for Kohli. The bowling change has worked for the Lankans. Malinga comes running in and persists with the full-length delivery outside off. Kohli seeing the width on offer goes after it and lofts it towards the man at sweeper covers. Munaweera there did not have to move and takes an easy catch. The 219-run stand has been broken. The Sri Lankan players are all pumped. A magnificent knock from the Indian skipper has come to an end. He walks off to a standing ovation. Can the Lankans now build on this wicket? IND 225/2 in 29.3 overs
Lasith Malinga is back into the attack. The skipper needs to step up and get the much-needed breakthrough!
16.27 IST: FOUR! WOW! We are running out of superlatives for how these two are batting. Tossed up ball on off, Rohit lofts it over the mid off fielder for a boundary. Now the question here is why is the mid off fielder inside the ring? 9 runs from the over. IND 225/1 in 29 overs
16.25 IST: FOUR! Sloppy, very sloppy from Hasaranga! Nothing seems to be going right for the home side. Virat uses his feet and gets down to the pitch of the ball. He flicks it towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder there runs to his left gets to the ball but lets it through his legs for a boundary. This is not what Sri Lanka need at the moment. IND 220/1 in 28.1 overs
16.22 IST: 11 runs from Fernando's over, another big one for India. IND 216/1 in 28 overs
16.20 IST: FOUR! Full toss and punished! Angles in a juicy full toss. Kohli clears his front leg and smashes it through wide mid on for a boundary. This is poor bowling from Sri Lanka! IND 211/1 in 27.3 overs
16.19 IST: 200-run stand is up between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli!
16.19 IST: Fernando comes from around the wicket, spears it into the stumps, Kohli drives it towards mid on. Malinga there fumbles and searches for the ball. This allows the batsmen to steal a single. 200-run stand is up and this is the third one for the duo. Kohli is now involved in his 10th double century stand. IND 200/1 in 27.1 overs
16.17 IST: 4 runs from Dananjaya's over, a tidy one from the young spinner. IND 205/1 in 27 overs
Akila Dananjaya is back into the attack.
16.13 IST: 200 comes up for India! IND 201/1 in 26 overs
16.12 IST: FOUR! Just flick of the wrists! Fuller around leg, Kohli shuffles across and plays across the line through mid-wicket. With Kohli in this form, you there's only one result - a boundary! IND 199/1 in 25.4 overs
Hardik Pandya is padded up and he is also warming up. He might be coming in next.
16.10 IST: SIX! Awesome! That is some shot! A good length delivery, angling across. Kohli walks out and just lofts it with the angle straight down the ground. He times it so well that the ball just flies into the stands. IND 193/1 in 25.1 overs
16.09 IST: FOUR! Well played, sir! Full outside off, Sharma carves it past a diving Malinga at backward point. The ball just races away tho the fence. Both these players are just cruising through at the moment. IND 187/1 in 25 overs
29th ODI ton for Virat Kohli!
16.06 IST: HUNDRED for Virat Kohli! FOUR! Another century for the Indian skipper! Virat Kohli just keeps getting those! It is a poor delivery from Siriwardana, short and sliding down leg. Virat just camps back and hammers it away over backward square leg. It goes on the bounce across the fence. Gets to his ton in just 76 balls. What an innings it has been, absolutely superb! IND 180/1 in 24.1 overs
16.05 IST: SIX! Lovely! The last two deliveries has just undone the good work of the last couple of overs. Full around off, Sharma dances down and lofts it inside out over covers. Times it so well and gets it off the meat as well. The ball just sails over the fence for a maximum. IND 176/1 in 24 overs
16.04 IST: FOUR! Cut away! Short and wide outside off. Rohit cashes in on the width by cracking it away through point for a boundary. IND 170/1 in 23.5 overs
16.02 IST: 6 runs from the over, India is cruising here in Colombo at the moment. IND 164/1 in 23 overs
15.59 IST: Decent over from Pushpakumara, just 3 runs from it. IND 158/1 in 22 overs
15.57 IST: 150 partnership comes up between Kohli and Rohit off just 122 balls. IND 156/1 in 21.1 overs
15.56 IST: 7 runs from Siriwardana's over. IND 155/1 in 21 overs
15.55 IST: FOUR! Typical Kohli! His wristwork is just amazing. Shimmies down the track and whips it with the angle. Finds the gap in the cow corner region and collects another boundary. Superb use of bottom hand there. IND 154/1 in 20.3 overs
15.54 IST: 150 comes up for India
Milinda Siriwardana is now introduced into the attack.
15.53 IST: Much better over from Pushpakumara, four runs came off it. IND 148/1 in 20 overs
15.49 IST: FOUR! Raining boundaries here in Colombo! Shorter in length outside off, Sharma goes back and cuts it through point for a boundary. IND 144/1 in 19 overs
15.49 IST: FIFTY for Rohit Sharma! Dananjaya tosses it up on leg stump, Sharma drives it towards long on for a run. IND 138/1
15.46 IST: Good over from Pushpakumara, just four runs from it. IND 136/1 in 18 overs
Time for Drinks. So, after losing the early wicket of Dhawan. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have opted for a counter attacking approach and have managed to score very freely. The Lankans are in desperate need of a wicket here or these two might just take the game away from them.
15.41 IST: FOUR! SHOT! Akila bowls a leg spinner but too full on off. Rohit picks it early and goes over the mid off fielder for a boundary. That was stand and deliver from Sharma. IND 132/1 in 17 overs
15.37 IST: FOUR! Rohit finds an edge but the ball races through third man for a boundary. Flatter delivery wide outside off. Sharma presents a front foot defence. Gets an outside edge and the ball races away to the third man fence. The short third man fielder tried chasing it down but the ball just kept racing away. IND 126/1 in 16 overs
15.36 IST: SIX! King Kohli is just dictating terms out there. He hits Pushpakumara for a maximum over long on. Tossed up around middle and off, Kohli skips down the track and clobbers it over long on for a maximum. That's a huge hit. Kohli is just punishing every bad delivery he is facing.
15.32 IST: FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Kohli. This time towards deep mid wicket. Drags his length back on off, Kohli rocks onto the back foot and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. This is getting too easy for the away side. IND 113/1 in 15 overs
15.31 IST: FOUR! Kohli makes room for himself and hits Hasaranga for a boundary towards extra cover. 100-run stand comes up between Kohli and Rohit. A great way to start the over! Fuller outside off, Kohli drives it through the covers. The fielder in the deep dives but in vain as the ball crosses the ropes.
15.30 IST: SIX! Rohit Sharma is on song. This time he hits Dananjaya for a maximum over deep mid wicket. A maximum to finish the over. Tosses it up on off, turning back in. Rohit Sharma goes down on one knee and slog sweeps it with the spin over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. IND 102/1 in 14 overs
15.29 IST: FOUR! Too short from Dananjaya and Rohit hits him to long on for a boundary. Comes down the track, seeing him advance Dananjaya bowls it short. Sharma has all the time in the world and he pulls it over the mid-wicket fielder for a boundary.
15.26 IST: FOUR! Kohli hits Hasaranga for a boundary to third man. IND 91/1 in 13 overs
15.23 IST: Akila Dananjaya concedes 5 runs. IND 83/1 in 12 overs
15.19 IST: Fifty for Kohli off 38 balls. IND 78/1 in 11 overs
15.16 IST: FOUR! Not in full control but Kohli hit Malinga for a boundary towards fine leg. Kohli is putting everything away! Malinga bangs it short, angling into the batsman. Kohli is a touch surprised but still goes through with the pull shot. Is not much in control of it but does well to play it finer. The ball beats the man in the deep and runs across the fence.
15.12 IST: FOUR! This time Kohli hits Pushpakumara to deep extra cover for another boundary. IND 67/1 in 10 overs
15.11 IST: FOUR! Kohli hits Pushpakumara for a boundary straight down the ground. Kohli has absolutely smashed that! Fuller in length on middle, Kohli hits it back past the bowler, the ball hits the stumps and still goes to the long on fence for a boundary.
15.09 IST: Good over for India as Mathews gives away 7 runs. IND 55/1 in 9 overs
15.08 IST: SIX! Rohit hits Mathews for a maximum over deep mid-wicket. Shorter in length by Mathews on middle, sits up to be hit. Sharma pulls it off the front foot over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. Fifty up for India.
15.05 IST: Good over from Malinda Pushpakumara. He gives away just 3 runs. IND 48/1 in 8 overs
15.03 IST: NOT OUT! A confusion which almost leads to a run out. Angles it into the pads, Kohli flicks it towards square leg. He sets off for a run but is sent back by his partner. Kohli is stranded half-way down the wicket he turns and puts in a full stretch dive. The fielder stationed there is quick to the ball who fires the throw to the keeper. Dickwella takes the bails off in flash and appeals. The umpire goes upstairs. Replays show that Kohli has just made his ground. His dive saved him there. The Indian skipper survives a scare.
15.01 IST: FOUR! Rohit hits Mathews over extra cover for a boundary. Now Rohit Sharma joins in the party. Fuller in length outside off, Rohit drives it over the cover fielder and once bounce into the fence. IND 45/1 in 7 overs
14.47 IST: FOUR! This time on the off-side. Another beautiful drive from Kohli off Fernando for a boundary to long-off. He is using his feet to great effect. Fernando bowls a touch fuller on off, Kohli gets to the pitch of the ball and drives it through mid off for another boundary. 10 runs form this over. He has gone for 23 in his last two. IND 39/1 in 6 overs
14.56 IST: FOUR! Kohli hits Fernando to long-on. Kohli uses his feet again and gets a full toss on his pads. Easy for Kohli. He flicks it through mid on. Malinga there does not even bother giving chase and the ball crosses the fence.
14.51 IST: FOUR! Kohli continues his charge, flicks Mathews to mid-wicket for a boundary. He shimmies down and also shuffles across to the full length ball outside off. He uses his wrist and flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. IND 29/1 in 5 overs
14.48 IST: FOUR! Three back-to-bacl boundaries for the Indian captain. This time he hit Fernando towards long on. Kohli is making up for the maiden Fernando bowled last time. He is not learning here. Persisting with the full length delivery but this time on middle. Kohli shuffles across and flicks it through mid-wicket and the ball races away. IND 24/1 in 4 overs
14.47 IST: FOUR! Now an off-drive from Kohli off Fernando. This is even better. Full ball on off, Kohli times this to perfection past the diving mid off fielder and into the fence. Back-to-back boundaries for Kohli.
14.46 IST: FOUR! Kohli drives Fernando through covers. Top class shot. Fullish length outside off, Kohli plants his front foot ahead and drives it through covers for a boundary. That was very pleasing to the eye.
14.45 IST: Decent over for India. Malings concedes 5 runs. IND 11/1 in 3 overs
14.40 IST: Brilliant over from Fernando - a wicket maiden to start with. IND 6/1 in 2 overs
14.37 IST: OUT! Fernando removes Dhawan for 4. Vishwa Fernando draws first blood for the Lankans. Dhawan the man in form has to depart. Fernando bowls a length ball outside off, gets it to shape away from the batsman a touch. Seeing the width on offer, Dhawan goes after it but slices it to the man at third man. IND 6/1 in 1.3 overs. Virat Kohli walks out to bat.
14.34 IST: FOUR! Dhawan off the mark with a beautiful boundary off Malinga towards sweeper cover. Dhawan is in such good form. Fuller in length outside off, width on offer. Dhawan leans into it and drives it through covers for a boundary. First boundary for the day. IND 6/0 in 1 over
14.30 IST: The players have come out in the middle. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan to open for India while Lasith Malinga to start the proceedings for Sri Lanka.
14.20 IST: Shardul Thakur was handed his ODI cap by coach Ravi Shastri. Huge moment for the youngster.
14.15 IST: Playing XIs
India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Lokesh Rahul, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur
Sri Lanka: Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dilshan Munaweera, Kusal Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Milinda Siriwardana, Wanidu Hasaranga, Akila Dananjaya, Malinda Pushpakumara, Vishwa Fernando, Lasith Malinga (c)
14.10 IST: Captain's Corner
Virat Kohli: It looks a good wicket. Conditions hot and humid, so don't think it's the best time to bowl in the afternoon. Track looks brilliant for batting, but might break down later in the day. It's all about being ruthless and capitalizing on the good work so far and not take the foot off the pedal. He's (Dhoni, on the occasion of his 300th ODI) been a legend of the game. We know the importance of him in our cricketing careers. We all respect him, we all love him. Got Shardul Thakur making his debut. Kuldeep and Pandey are in.
Lasith Malinga: We were looking to bowl first too. Lot of injuries in last couple of months. Good challenge for me. Hopefully we will do our best. Three changes.
14.00 IST: TOSS! India win toss, opt to bat vs Sri Lanka. Visitors lead 5-match series 3-0
13.55 IST: We are moments away from the toss. Don't go anywhere.
13.35 IST: Dhoni will also have a chace to create two more records apart from playing in his 300th ODI.
# 299 Matches
# 99 Stumpings in ODI
# 99 International Fifties
13.32 IST: Let's take a look at what some of the greats of the game have to say ahead of Dhoni's milestone match.
13.30 IST: Former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will become only the sixth Indian player to play 300 ODI matches when he enters the field against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Thursday.
Brief Preview: All eyes will be on Mahendra Singh Dhoni as he gears up for his 300th ODI in the India jersey against a beleaguered Sri Lanka in the penultimate encounter of the five-match series in Colombo on Thursday. With back-to-back impressive performances in the last two ODIs, the former India captain looks in fine fettle and has significantly answered his critics who question over his place in the playing XI. The unbeaten knocks of 45 and 67 under pressure is a proof that Dhoni still belongs to that big stage and is still have it in him to play the 50-over World Cup in 2019.
The 36-year old will look to continue his good work in his milestone match since Sri Lanka have hardly come across as respectable rivals in the lop-sided series. Considered one of the greatest finishers in 50-over cricket, Dhoni will join India's elite 'Club 300', which has Sachin Tendulkar (463), Rahul Dravid (344), Mohammed Azharuddin (334), Sourav Ganguly (311) and Yuvraj Singh (304). From being a world class finisher to playing a second fiddle to Rohit Sharma's and Bhuvneshwar Kumar's, Dhoni has added another dimension to his game. (Read Full Preview Here)
