Asia Cup, India vs Sri Lanka as it happened: Kohli fifty powers India into the final

Virat Kohli is named the Man of the Match.

India won in the last over but they should have made an easy task of this. They stuttered at the start and a little bit in the end. Amidst all this, Kohli kept his cool and again rose to the occasion with yet another fifty. India’s biggest gain from this match was Yuvraj who showed shades of old self as he hit 35 off 18 balls with three fours and three sixes. Earlier, the Indian bowlers did well to restrict Sri Lanka to 138/9.

That’s it! India are into the final of Asia Cup!

Kohli finishes it off in style as he flicks it over deep mid-wicket for a four. India beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets.

Closer than expected. Top gun Kohli stars again but best takeaway from match was Yuvi shrugging off rustiness & reveal some vintage form

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 1, 2016

FIFTY for Kohli! He smashes it over extra cover for four. The scores are level now.

Siriwardana into the attack now.

After 18 overs, India 125/5 ( Virat Kohli 46, Pandya 0)

A very good over from Herath. Just three runs and a wicket off it.

OUT! Herath removes Pandya with a beauty! H Pandya b Herath 2 (4b 0x4 0x6) 

It’s full on middle and off, Pandya looks to whip across the line but completely misses the line of the ball. Finds his stumps shattered. 

MS Dhonis is the new batsman.

After 17 overs, India 122/4 ( Virat Kohli 45, Pandya 0)

India had got two boundaries in the over. One by Kohli and one by Yuvraj but then Sri Lanka end the over well with the wicket of Yuvraj. 10 runs and a wicket off the over. 17 needed off 18 now.

OUT! It’s that short ball again that brings about Yuvraj’s downfall. Yuvraj Singh c Kulasekara b Perera 35 (18b 3×4 3×6) 

Yuvraj had just cracked a four over wide mid off, the next ball is short from Perera, Yuvraj goes for a pull but is late onto it and gets a top edge to fine leg where Kulasekara accepts a simple catch. A good innings ends. 

Hardik Pandya is the new batsman.

Perera back on….

After 16 overs, India 105/3 ( Virat Kohli 39, Yuvraj 31)

India in cruise control. After three singles in first four balls, Yuvraj pulls one to fine leg for a boundary.  He again goes for a powerful pull off the next ball but misses. 7 runs off the over.

Yuvraj Singh today. #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/d2LqjSw0xB

— Pritam Sharma (@VanDiablo) March 1, 2016

Chameera continues….

Yuvraj is batting as though he wants to send the demons of the t20wc finals to RIP #INDvsSL #AsiaCup

— Anurag Rekhi (@Dravidict) March 1, 2016

After 15 overs, India 105/3 ( Virat Kohli 37, Yuvraj 26)

Yuvraj showing glimpses of old Yuvraj. He gives himself room and smashes one over deep point for a six. He then pulls the next one but doesn’t connect it well and it falls short of the diving fielder for a single. 9 runs off the over.

After 14 overs, India 92/3 ( Virat Kohli 35, Yuvraj 19)

A very good over from Chameers. He ramped up good pace and beat Yuvraj a couple of time. First the inside edge and then the outside edge. 4 runs off the over.

Yuvraj Singh has hit more SIXES than FOURS in Twenty20 Internationals!
67 Sixes and 66 Fours!!#IndvsSL #AsiaCupT20 #AsiaCup

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) March 1, 2016

Chameera back on….

After 13 overs, India 92/3 ( Virat Kohli 33, Yuvraj 18)

Yuvraj gets into the act now. He hammers one over long on for a flat six and then flicks one over deep mid-wicket for an effortless six off the next ball. Three more singles off the previous four balls make it 15 runs off the over. 47 needed off 42 now.

After 12 overs, India 77/3 ( Virat Kohli 31, Yuvraj 5)

A successful over for Sri Lanka. They got the wicket of Raina in that over. Yuvraj got off the mark with a boundary as he slashed one over backward point. 7 runs and a wicket off the over. India need 62 off 48 now.

OUT! Shanaka finally provides the breakthrough. S Raina c Kulasekara b Shanaka 25 (26b 2×4 0x6) 

It’s full outside off, Raina looks to go downtown but ends up mistiming it to mid off where Kulasekara fumbles thrice before finally grabbing it with a relief. 

Yuvraj Singh is the new batsman.

After 11 overs, India 70/2 ( Virat Kohli 29, Suresh Raina 25)

Sri Lanka need to do something different. Herath too didn’t get much turn. Kohli and Raina are playing them easily. 4 singles in the over.

Rangana Herath into the attack now.

After 10 overs, India 66/2 ( Virat Kohli 27, Suresh Raina 23)

It’s all too easy for India. Raina plays a lovely flick through mid-wicket for four. 50-stand comes up between Kohli and Raina. A couple and two singles make it 8 runs off the over.

After 9 overs, India 58/2 ( Virat Kohli 24 , Suresh Raina 18)

Clever cricket from Raina and Kohli. A couple of twos and  four singles in the over. 8 runs off it. The partnership is 42 from 34 now.

INDvsSL Rohit n Shikhar falling cheaply.No footwork.Question rises r they completely fit.i doubt

— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349) March 1, 2016

Perera continues…

This Asia Cup is just a tribute to how much better Kohli is than every other batsman in the continent

— Hassan Cheema (@mediagag) March 1, 2016

After 8 overs, India 50/2 ( Kohli 22, Raina 12)

Kohli is in a different zone altogether. He plays a crunching extra cover drive for a boundary. Four more singles make it 8 runs off the over. 50 comes up for India.

After 7 overs, India 42/2 ( Kohli 16, Raina 10)

A decent over from Perera. India will be looking to rebuild now. Five singles off the over.

Dhoni talks so much abt giving Yuvraj a chance to bat higher up. Five weeks and he's still waiting?! What for?! #WT20 final again?! #IndvsSL

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) March 1, 2016

Thisara Perera into the attack now.

After 6 overs, India 37/2 ( Kohli 14, Raina 7)

The dew is taking its effect it seems. The bowlers are finding it difficult to grip it. Kohli gets into the groove as he slashes one just over the point fielder for a four and then crunches one through cover point for the second four of the over. 12 runs off the over.

Yuvi and MS gonna have a workout today + rest of the gang#INDvsSL

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) March 1, 2016

After 5 overs, India 25/2 ( Kohli 5, Raina 4)

A decent over from Mathews. Kohli gets off the mark in style as he flicks one through square leg and it just races away. Raina then looks to flick one but ends up chipping it back it flies inches wide of the bowler. 5 runs off the over.

Mathews continues….

After 4 overs, India 20/2 ( Kohli 0, Raina 4)

A very good over from Kulasekara, he got the wicket of Rohit and then troubled Raina with his inswingers. Raina then played a risky shot as he flicked one inches wide of the mid-wicket fielder, uppishly, for a four.

OUT! Kulasekara gets his second wicket. R Sharma c Kapugedera b Kulasekara 15 (14b 3×4 0x6)

It’s a touch full outside off, shaping away. Rohit stays in his crease and looks to drive without any feet movement. He gets an outside edge and Kapugedera takes a good low catch at first slip. 

Suresh Raina is the new batsman.

After 3 overs, India 16/1 ( Rohit Sharma 15, Kohli 0)

Sri Lanka nearly had Rohit in that over. He pushes one firmly to mid on and it falls short of the diving fielder, it whizzes away in between his legs for a four. A good over from Mathews, just 5 runs off it.

After 2 overs, India 11/1 ( Rohit Sharma 10, Kohli 0)

Rohit is looking in good touch but India lost Dhawan in that over. Rohit hammered one straight back over the bowler’s head for four. But Kulasekara bounces back to remove Dhawan off the last ball. 5 runs and a wickt off the over.

OUT! Kulasekara strikes early! S Dhawan c Chandimal b Kulasekara 1 (3b 0x4 0x6)

Good length delivery outside off, nips away after landing. Dhawan pushes at it and gets an outside edge to the keeper. Just what Sri Lanka needed early on.

Virat Kohli is the new batsman.

Nuwan Kulasekara will bowl from the other end.

After 1 overs, India 6/0 ( Shikhar Dhawan 1 , Rohit Sharma 5)

India are off to a decent start. Dhawan takes a quick single. There is an LBW shout turned down against Rohit as it was too high. Rohit then got off the mark with a cracking cut through point for a four. A single off the last ball made it 6 runs off the over.

The India openers – Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have made their way out to the middle. Angelo Mathews will start off proceedings.

India restrict Sri Lanka to 138/9. 

A good last over for Sri Lanka as Kulasekara hit a couple of fours, scoring 11 runs in the over before getting run out off the last ball. Sri Lanka never got the momentum going and lost wickets at regular intervals. Kapugedera was the top scorer with 30, while Perera’s 6-ball 17 proved handy at the death. The Indian bowlers performed as a unit.

After 19 overs, Sri Lanka 127/8 ( Kulasekara 3 , Chameera 1)

OUT! Perera might be unlucky here! T Perera st Dhoni b Ashwin 17 (6b 2×4 1×6)

Ashwin provides India some relief as he has a rampaging Perera back in the hut. Perera charged down the track but Ashwin clevers delivers it very wide outside off, Perera can’t reach it and he misses, Dhoni quickly clips the bails off as Perera gets his bat inside. The square leg umpire doesn’t refer it to the third umpire. Replays showed Perera had got his bat back inside. Perera had earlier hammered Ashwin over deep mid-wicket for a 6. 12 runs and a wicket off the over.

After 18 overs, Sri Lanka 115/7 ( Kulasekara 1 , Perera 0)

Perera has made sure that Sri Lanka got something from the over. Perera hammers one over long off for a four and then pulls one over mid-wicket for consecutive fours. 11 runs off the over.

OUT! Brilliant catch from Pandya. Kapugedera departs. C Kapugedera c Pandya b Bumrah 30 (32b 3×4 0x6) 

It’s a tad short from Bumrah, Kapugedera smashes it to covers but Pandya shows brilliant reflexes to pouch it inches ahead of the ropes. 

Nuwan Kulasekara is the new batsman.

After 17 overs, Sri Lanka 104/6 ( Chamara Kapugedera 30 , Milinda Perera 0)

Double bowl for Sri Lanka in that over. Siriwardana looks to go for a slog sweep but gets a top edge to long on. Shanaka is then run out off a free hit. He goes for a heave but then mistimes it to mid-wicket where Rohit shows good reflexes and throws it Ashwin who disturbs the stumps. 4 runs and two wickets off the over. Sri Lanka going nowhere.

After 16 overs, Sri Lanka 100/4 ( Chamara Kapugedera 28 , Milinda Siriwardana 22)

Sri Lanka batsmen struggling to connect off the middle. Kapugedera goes for a pull but gets a top edge over mid-wicket for a couple. Siriwardana then goes for a heave but gets a top edge over mid-wicket for two. Kapugedera then connects one finally off the middle through poiint for the third two of the over. 9 runs off the over. The 100 is up for Sri Lanka.

After 15 overs, Sri Lanka 91/4 ( Chamara Kapugedera 23 , Milinda Siriwardana 18)

Ashwin not getting his lengths right. But he nearly had Siriwardana in that over as he went for a slog sweep but got a top edge which fell in no man’s land. He then bowls one short and Kapugedera hammers it over extra cover for a four. He then goes for a reverse sweep but misses.

Ashwin into the attack now.

After 14 overs, Sri Lanka 84/4 ( Chamara Kapugedera 19 , Milinda Siriwardana 15)

Another good over for Sri Lanka. Kapugedera heaves it behind square leg for a four. Four singles and a two makes it 9 runs from the over.

Suresh Raina into the attack now.

After 13 overs, Sri Lanka 75/4 ( Chamara Kapugedera 12 , Milinda Siriwardana 13)

Sri Lanka upping the ante now. Siriwardana clobbers one straight back over Jadeja’s head for a six and then cuts it very late wide of short third man for a four. Three more singles make it 13 runs off the over.

Ravindra Jadeja into the attack now.

After 12 overs, Sri Lanka 62/4 ( Chamara Kapugedera 11 , Milinda Siriwardana 1)

A decent over from Ashwin. Sri Lanka looking to stabilise now. 5 singles off the over.

Ashwin into the attack now.

After 11 overs, Sri Lanka 57/4 ( Chamara Kapugedera 9, Siriwardana 0)

Hardik bounced back well in that over. Mathews hammered him for a couple of fours through wide mid on in that over but then ended up dragging one on. 10 runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! Pandya gets his man! A Mathews b Pandya 18 (19b 3×4 0x6) 

It was a good contest developing between Pandya and Mathews. Mathews had hit him for a couple of fours earlier in the over, here he brings one back in, Mathews looks to chop but gets an inside edge onto the stumps. 

Siriwardana is the new batsman.

After 10 overs, Sri Lanka 47/3 ( Chamara Kapugedera 8 , Angelo Mathews 9)

Yuvraj is getting some turn but Mathews is looking to open up now. He hammers one straight back over Yuvraj’s head for a boundary. A couple of singles more make it 6 runs off the over.

After 9 overs, Sri Lanka 41/3 ( Chamara Kapugedera 7 , Angelo Mathews 4)

A good over from Pandya. Kapugedera played a lovely steer to third man for a four but then Pandya hit back to beat his outside edge with a lovely outswinger. 6 runs off the over.

Hardik pandya continues…..

After 8 overs, Sri Lanka 35/3 ( Chamara Kapugedera 2, Angelo Mathews 3)

A decent over from Yuvraj. He gave the ball good flight and beat Kapugedera’s outside edge off the third delivery. Another drive took an inside edge onto the pads. 3 runs off the over.

Yuvraj Singh into the attack now.

Pandya's last two balls in last match: Wkt, Wkt
first ball in this match: Wkt
3 in 3, but not a hat-trick. Has to be in same match!#IndvsSL

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) March 1, 2016

After 7 overs, Sri Lanka 32/3 ( Chamara Kapugedera 1, Angelo Mathews 1)

A good first over from Pandya. Kapugedera gets a lifeline, he survived a clear run out chance but Bumrah missed his direct hit. Mathews pushes it to the off side, he sets off for a single but then sends Kapugedera back. Bumrah misses his direct hit at the bowler’s end, Kapugedera had already given up. 1 run and a wicket off the over.

OUT! Pandya strikes first ball. T Dilshan c Ashwin b Pandya 18 (16b 2×4 0x6) 

It’s a short delivery on middle and off, Dilshan rocks back and looks to pull but gets a top edge to fine leg where Ashwin makes no mistake.

Angelo Mathews is the new batsman.

Bumrah continues….

After 5 overs, Sri Lanka 22/2 ( Chamara Kapugedera 0 , Tillakaratne Dilshan 10)

A bit of a wayward over from Nehra but there were a couple of LBW shouts turned down. Dilshan went for a slog sweep but missed and a huge LBW appeal was turned down. The impact was outside off. Nehra then brought one back in from leg stump and Kapugedera missed his defense. Another massive appeal is turned down. Replays showed it was hitting the stumps. Two wides in the over too. 7 runs off it.

Nehra continues….

Bumrah - another classic example of the fact that unusual can be an asset as long as you know your own game. A lesson for coaches/parents

— Isa Guha (@isaguha) March 1, 2016

After 4 overs, Sri Lanka 15/2 ( Chamara Kapugedera 0 , Tillakaratne Dilshan 8)

Dilshan had hit an ugly scoop shot which was mistimed and ran away for four wide of the short fine leg fielder early in the over. But Bumrah bounced back to remove Jayasuriya and then beat Kapugedera with a beautiful outswinger. 6 runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! Bumrah strikes now. S Jayasuriya c Dhoni b Bumrah 3 (5b 0x4 0x6)

This is a good start for India. Good length delivery outside off, nips away a shade. Jayasuriya stays in his crease and looks to push but is done in by the away movement. He ends up edging it to the keeper. The Indians don’t realise it’s an edge and there is a muted appeal but the umpire has heard it and he lifts his finger.

Chamara Kapugedera is the new batsman.

Most wkts by India bowlers in Powerplays in T20Is:

15 Ashwin
13* NEHRA
12 I Pathan
10 RP Singh#IndvsSL #AsiaCupT20

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 1, 2016

After 3 overs, Sri Lanka 9/1 ( Shehan Jayasuriya 2 , Tillakaratne Dilshan 1)

A successful over from Nehra. He gave away just four runs and scalped he wicket of Chandimal. This is good disciplined start from India.

OUT! Nehra strikes early! It’s the big wicket of Chandimal. D Chandimal c Dhoni b Nehra 4 (11b 1×4 0x6)

Chandimal backs away a touch, Nehra cleverly follows him, it pitches outside the leg stump and nips back in. Chandimal goes for a heave but gets an inside edge to the keeper. 

Shehan Jayasuriya is the new batsman.

After 2 overs, Sri Lanka 5/0 (Chandimal 4, Dilshan 1)

A good start from Bumrah. He got some extra bounce. Chandimal was beaten twice at first looking to punch off the back foot or drive on the up. Chandimal went for a ugly hoick off the second ball he faced but ended up mistiming it to mid–wicket for a single. Just one run off the over.

Jasprit Bumrah will bowl from the other end.

After 1 over, Sri Lanka 4/0 (Chandimal 4, Dilshan 0)

A decent first over from Nehra. He got good inswing going. Chandimal has come out with an aggressive intent. He cracked it through extra cover for a four to get off the mark off the second ball. He then looked to drive another but got an inside edge onto the pads. A huge LBW appeal is turned down.

Dilshan & Chandimal stride out to the middle. Nehra will start off proceedings.

SL XI: Chandimal, Dilshan, Jayasuriya, Mathews, Siriwardana, Kapugedera, Perera, Shanaka, Kulasekara, Chameera, Herath.

India XI: Dhawan, Rohit, Kohli, Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Dhoni, Pandya, Jadeja, Ashwin, Bumrah, Nehra.

India have now won the toss 3 times in 4 T20Is. They had won only one in their previous 13 T20Is.#IndvsSL #AsiaCupT20

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 1, 2016

TOSS – India have won the toss and elected to bowl. One change for them as Shikhar Dhawan replaces Ajinkya Rahane. Sri Lanka have gone unchanged.

Pitch – It’s the same pitch on which the India vs Pakistan took place. There is a decent amount of grass covering on the wicket. Dean Jones says it’s a good pitch, he won’t mind batting first or second.

Indian cricket fans’ darling Yuvraj Singh has proved to be usefull with the leather, but he has looked out of tune with the willow since his return. Many say he looks down on confidence and is wary to leave the crease. Matt Hayden can tell him a thing or two about leaving the crease, right? 

What tips you reckon is @HaydosTweets giving to @YUVSTRONG12 #IndvSL #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/tg5hLwTVDM

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 1, 2016

Do not trust the Indian team. Rohit Sharma was doubtful for the match after what Mohammad Amir did to his toe and ego. But ‘Mr. Talent’ is out there now warming up and playing a few knocks ahead of the game. 

.@ImRo45 is warming up with some knocking ahead of #IndvSL #AsiaCuphttps://t.co/4ac57eUf6a

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 1, 2016

Watch cricket expert Ayaz Memon, known as @cricketwallah in Twtterverse, preview India vs Sri Lanka. Despite injuries, India have the edge against the island nation, whom they beat 2-1 in a recent home series. The reason being a possible injury to Lankan captain and primary strike bowler Lasith Malinga, whose knee problem has again flared up and has put his further participation in the tournament in doubt.

Asia Cup, India vs Sri Lanka: Injury worries for both sides ahead of must-win Asia Cup match for Lankans – Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

Ravichandran Ashwin hasn’t enjoyed much aid from the Dhaka soil, but he has enjoyed taking on Sri Lanka always. 

With an average like that, the Sri Lankans surely be wary of facing @ashwinravi99 tonight! #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/fHo7EIqfGJ

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 1, 2016

Undefeated India take on the hurt Sri Lankan Lions – who suffered their first ever T20 defeat to Bangladesh in their last match. This, therefore, is an absolute must-win for them.

Hello and welcome to Firstpost for our live coverage of the India-Sri Lanka match at the Asia Cup in Bangladesh.