Highlights, India vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI at Colombo, Full Cricket Score: Dhawan, Surya guide visitors to seven-wicket win

Shikhar Dhawan, India captain: All our boys, most of them have played earlier and are very mature. I’m very happy with their performance. We knew that wicket has a bit of turn. The way spinners bowled from 10th over, they took wickets and all three spinners did amazing. When we batted, I guess it was lovely to stand at the other end and see Prithvi go for seven overs, and then Ishan. I was telling them to take it easy. I feel the way young boys play in the IPL, they get so much exposure and their confidence level is so high. They finished the game in the first 15 overs. I thought about it, but there was not many runs left. I thought I’ll go not out so that will be a good task for me.

Dasun Shanaka, SL captain: Earlier on we started well, but they varied the pace well, Our batsmen did not get the rhythm in the innings. Yes, I am happy to take the responsibility. They are really aggressive. The kind of cricket they are playing is pretty good. Our bowlers need to lift their performance. We have to vary the pace. The wicket was good for batting. We have to execute our plans.

Prithvi Shaw is the Player of the Match!

Shaw: (On getting hit on the head by Chameera) It’s fine. Just a little bit of pain. (Before innings) Rahul sir didn’t say anything. I just went in with my instinct and just went after the loose balls. As a batsman, I obviously want the scoreboard to keep ticking. Felt the pitch was very nice, and was also very good in the first innings, but played better in the second innings. I like pace bowlers. (On dismissal) I was disappointed with that shot. Maybe after the ball hit my head, I lost a little bit of focus. I’ll remember that next time and keep myself calm.

That’s it, Dhawan collects a single and takes India to victory in the first ODI. The visitors win by seven wickets and take 1-0 lead in the three-match series. 

Tough day for Sri Lanka in the field as India displayed a professional show. Kuldeep, Krunal bowled well. Shaw, Kishan showing the power of youth and Dhawan leading from the front to take the side home with number of wickets and balls in hand.

After 36 overs,India 260/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 84 , Suryakumar Yadav 30)

We will have another over as Sri Lanka drag this match further. Only three required. Fitting if captain Dhawan smashes the winning runs.

After 35 overs,India 256/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 82 , Suryakumar Yadav 28)

Two boundaries in the over. The equation now is 7 needed off 90. Expect it to finish in the next over. Mere formalities left.

FOUR! Surya dances down the track and clears the 30-yard easily straight down the ground, gets four runs

FOUR! Short ball, Dhawan goes back and pulls it away for four runs. Easy boundary.

After 34 overs,India 245/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 77 , Suryakumar Yadav 22)
 

Suryakumar has made it clear. He is not waiting and wants to finish it quickly. There is a birthday to be celebrated as well. Three back to back boundaries. India need just 18.

FOUR! And now he flicks the spinner over mid-wicket region for another four, third consecutive boundary for India and him.

FOUR! Swept again by Surya, on the middle leg stump line and Surya plays the sweep again and this time it goes to fine leg

FOUR! Surya meets the ball on the full, sweeps it for four runs square of the wicket on the leg side.

After 33 overs,India 231/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 76 , Suryakumar Yadav 9)

Suryakumar Yadav plays a lovely shot for four runs. Thing is if he keeps going, it could finish early and could deny Dhawan a century. Dhawan is still 24 away and India need 32. Possible?

FOUR! Extension of arms and a beautiful finish, Surya makes room and clears it inside-out for four runs

After 32 overs,India 223/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 74 , Suryakumar Yadav 3)

Chameera continues. Two wides in the over from Chameera. Sri Lankans have looked quite average in the field as well as ball. These extras are a concern. Dhawan takes a double on the last ball. India need 40 to win.

After 31 overs,India 217/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 71 , Suryakumar Yadav 2)

Manish Pandey has perished trying to up finish it quickly. This is a part of his game that he has unable to fix. He has been dismissed in the same manner in the past as well. He works hard to get settled, even sacrificing his strike rate and when it is time to up the scoring rate, he succumbs to false shots. Suryakumar Yadav, right handed bat, has come in to bat at No 5 and has opened his account on just the first ball with a double.

OUT! Pandey is gone, he dances down the track and gives a catch to the man at mid-wicket. He has failed again to deliver and finish the game. India lose their third wicket Manish Pandey c Shanaka b Dhananjaya de Silva 26(40)

FOUR! Dhawan sweeps off his legs to fetch four runs off Dhananjaya to fine leg boundary. Top shot that.

After 30 overs,India 210/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 66 , Manish Pandey 26)

A good over from India. Just two off it but batters looking in no hurry and comfortable in the middle. The job is to stay there and finish it. India need 53 more to win.

After 29 overs,India 208/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 65 , Manish Pandey 25)

Nothing going Sri Lanka’s way. A free hit given now to Dhawan that goes for a six. It is beginning to look more and more India’s game from here. Need 55 to win.

SIX! Free hit, Hasaranga bowled quicker and on legs of Dhawan who swung his bat hard and collected a maximum square of the wicket on leg side.

After 28 overs,India 200/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 59 , Manish Pandey 24)

Sandakan continues. India slowly inching towards their first win on this tour. 63 runs to be precise. Sandakan done with his eighth over. Has been on expensive side but got one wicket. Five off this over. 200 also up for India.

After 27 overs,India 195/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 57 , Manish Pandey 22)

Sri Lankan captain looking a bit tensed in the middle and he has more than a reason to be so. Pandey and Dhawan have completed fifty-run stand and there is still some batting left to come. Sri Lanka need two wickets in quick succession here to make a game out of this. India need 68 to win.

After 26 overs,India 193/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 56 , Manish Pandey 21)

Manish Pandey now looking to play his strokes. He played two brilliant shots to show he has changed gears now. Dhawan collecta a four on the last ball. 16 off the over. India need 70 to win.

FOUR! Dhawan dances down the track and hits it to mid on region where the fielder makes a mess of it and lets it go past for four.

FOUR! Top shot from Pandey again, an inside out shot, finds the gap between extra cover and mid off for four

SIX! A safe shot for a maximum by Manish Pandey, comes down the track and clears the long off boundary easily. There was no fielder there in the deep.

After 25 overs,India 177/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 51 , Manish Pandey 10)

Dhawan has brought up his fifty. Has crossed 6,000 ODI runs in the process. Special game for him as he is leading India for the first time. He is certainly enjoying his time as a leader in the middle. We are halfway through the overs. At the end of 25 overs, India 177/2. India need 86 to win.

FIFTY runs for Dhawan. Slow and steady he has been in this innings. Has come in in 61 balls. He will look to finish it from here.

After 24 overs,India 174/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 49 , Manish Pandey 9)

Karunaratne continues. Dhawan plays a dot and then plays a ramp shot to collect a single at third man. Pandey collects a single too. Dhawan then cuts the ball for four and the an inside edge fetches him four more. 11 off the over. India need 89 to win.

FOUR! Lucky Dhawan, almost chopped it on to the stumps, the inside edge missed the stump and then the keeper, fine leg was unable to stop it.

FOUR! Brilliant shot from Dhawan, slight room on the off side and he cuts it away for a boundary.

After 23 overs,India 163/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 39 , Manish Pandey 8)

Hasaranga continues and finishes a quick over. Bowls a maiden. Pandey has a history of being stuck in these middle overs. Here he has the luxury of doing it as required rate is quite low. India need 100 to win.

After 22 overs,India 163/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 39 , Manish Pandey 8)

Chamika Karunaratne, right-arm fast medium, introduced into the attack. He starts off well. Pandey and Dhawan deal in singles to collect five off the over. India need exactly 100 from here.

What a talent!

MILESTONE ALERT

Players to take the fewest innings to score 6000 ODI runs:

123 Hashim Amla
136 Virat Kohli
139 Kane Williamson
*140 SHIKHAR DHAWAN*
141 Vivian Richards
141 Joe Root

— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) July 18, 2021

After 21 overs,India 158/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 37 , Manish Pandey 5)

Hasranga continues. Another fine over from him. Five off it. Lankans trying their best to stop the runs. India need 105 more.

After 20 overs,India 153/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 35 , Manish Pandey 2)

India go past the 150-mark. Manish Pandey and Dhawan steady India, they are going slow. No more unconventional stroke-making to watch as Kishan is back to the hut. India need more 110.

After 18 overs,Sri Lanka 91/3 ( Dhananjaya de Silva 1 , Charith Asalanka 1)

Dhawan gets a life as review saves him. Wickets missing, told the tracker and umpire Dharmasena had to reverse his decision. Hasaranga is gutted, he thought he got his man. Three off the over.

After 18 overs,India 143/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 28 , Manish Pandey 0)

Ishan Kishan has been dismissed playing for a single. All this while we thought it would be the big shots that will see the end of him in the innings. Manish Pandey has come in to bat at No 4. Sandakan opens his wickets account. Three off the over.

OUT! Ishan departs, top class delivery from Sandakan, gets one to go away after pitching from Kishan, taking the outside edge to the keeper. India lose their second wicket. A fine debut for Ishan. Ishan Kishan c M Bhanuka b Sandakan 59(42)

After 17 overs,India 140/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 25 , Ishan Kishan (W) 59)

Wanindu Hasaranga, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack. Kishan gave him a charge n the over but a fine stop from the long on fielder to cut the boundary. Six off the over.

After 16 overs,India 134/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 23 , Ishan Kishan (W) 55)

Drinks over. Dhawan was interested to get the third one on the last ball of the over, Ishan said no and rightly so. Dhawan admitted his mistake. It could have been a costly run for India. These two need to get going. Seven off the over.

After 15 overs,India 127/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 19 , Ishan Kishan (W) 53)

Asalanka continues and starts off with a wide. There was a double on offer but Ishan refuses to take it, and says no to his senior as he wants to take strike. And then hits two back to back boundaries to bring up his maiden ODI fifty. What a knock this has been already from the wicket-keeper/batsman. Drinks called. India need 136 more.

FOUR! Ishan gets to his maiden ODI fifty on debut. Today is his birthday and he making it count, reaches fifty in 33 balls.

FOUR! Ishan dances down the track and hits Asalanka for four runs to deep extra cover boundary

After 14 overs,India 115/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 17 , Ishan Kishan (W) 44)

Sandakan continues. He collects one boundary in the over, a superb cover drive. He is already in his 40s. Inching closer to his maiden ODI fifty on debut. Six off the over.

FOUR! Big swing of the bat, Ishan powerfully drives it through covers for four runs off Sandakan.

After 13 overs,India 109/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 16 , Ishan Kishan (W) 39)

Ishan Kishan is in T20 mode at the moment. He sees an opportunity in scoring a boundary or six off every ball. He has got two lives already. Maybe needs to curtail his shot making just a little. India go past 100.

SIX! It touches the fingers of the long on fielder and goes to six. Ishan this time too steps out and smashes it hard, long on fielder jumps in time but is unable to catch it.

FOUR! Ishan steps out against Asalanka and smashes him straight down the ground for four runs

After 12 overs,India 96/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 16 , Ishan Kishan (W) 26)

Sandakan continues. Lankans are throwing themselves on the ground. Ishan almost miscues a pull shot, went on one bounce to fielder at mid on. Lankans have been able to slow down the Indians a bit in last couple of overs. Four off the over.

After 11 overs,India 92/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 14 , Ishan Kishan (W) 24)

More spin from Sri Lanka as Charith Asalanka, right-arm off break, comes into the attack. Starts off with two dots. Dhawan collects a single off next. Kishan plays three dots to finish the over. Just one off it.

Amen!

Ishan Kishan charging the bowler to hit his first ball in ODI cricket for six is the kind of confidence I want to have in life.

— Andrew Fidel Fernando (@afidelf) July 18, 2021

After 10 overs,India 91/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 13 , Ishan Kishan (W) 24)

Lakshan Sandakan, left-arm chinaman, comes into the attack now. Ishan collects a single on the leg side. Dhawan is unable to connect balls. Just two off the over.

Off to a flier!
 

Ishan Kishan hit his first ball in ODIs for a six. What a start to his ODI career. Earlier this year, Suryakumar Yadav hit his first ball in T20Is for a six #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/YOu0ud49mT

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) July 18, 2021

After 9 overs,India 89/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 12 , Ishan Kishan (W) 23)

Dhawan playing the anchor role at the other end. He is going slow at the moment as juniors have taken up the aggressive appraoch. Chameera is trying to bowl some short stuff and in the process has bowled a couple of wides.

After 8 overs,India 84/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 11 , Ishan Kishan (W) 23)

Dhananjaya de Silva continues and he is bowling well. But Ishan just wants to hit everything that is coming his away. Three boundaries back to back in the over and one chance as well.

FOUR! Three in three, as Ishan this time hits Dhananjaya for a boundaty to deep mid-wicket.

FOUR! Pulled straight past the non-striker for a boundary. Ishan Kishan is no mood to stop here.

FOUR! A tough opportunity goes begging for Sri Lanka, Ishan gets out, hits it straight down the ground, fielder from long off gives it a try but spills it on landing, ball races away for four

After 7 overs,India 72/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 11 , Ishan Kishan (W) 11)

Chameera continues. Dhawan plays a dot and then collects single off the second ball to give strike to Ishan. Fine over from the fast bowler. Just seven off the over. He almost had Ishan got behind through a bouncer.

After 6 overs,India 68/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 8 , Ishan Kishan (W) 10)

Alright, Shanaka takes the pace off the ball and brings in spinner Dhananjya de Silva. Dhawan plays a dot before tapping it on leg side to run a single. Shaw departs on the first ball of spin. He looked in hurry and has paid the price for it. Nevertheless he has given a great start to India. Ishan comes in and has taken the baton from Shaw, 10 off the first two balls.

Thoroughly entertained today, did Shaw

the ball leaving shaw's bat is a soundtrack on its own #SLvIND

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) July 18, 2021

FOUR! Fuller and wider, Ishan stretches to reach the ball and hits it hard through cover point for four runs.

SIX! Ishan hits the first ball of his ODI career for a six, dances down the wicket and clears the straight boundary with ease. What a start for him.

OUT! Spinner Dhananjaya strikes and gets the big wicket of Shaw. Change in pace and a long gap betwen 5th and 6th over seemed to have done in Shaw. He went after the first ball from the spinner and could not connect, gets caught at long on. Prithvi Shaw c Avishka Fernando b Dhananjaya de Silva 43(24)

After 5 overs,India 57/0 ( Prithvi Shaw 43 , Shikhar Dhawan (C) 7)

Shaw showing why he matters at the top and why he has been consistently backed by the selectors despite some failures at international level. He is just 23 balls old in this innings and he has showed variety in shot making, scoring runs with ease on both sides. Back foot punches, cover drives, leg glances, cut shots, flicks among others. Got hit hard on the back of his head by a rising delivery from Chameera. Gets a look in from the physio with regards to concussion. He is good to go for now. A new helmet has been called. Fifty is up for India.

FOUR! On length and Shaw stands and delivers, pierces it between cover and point for a boundary.

FOUR! Right placement from Shaw, right under his bat and he guides it between mid off and extra cover for four

After 4 overs,India 45/0 ( Prithvi Shaw 35 , Shikhar Dhawan (C) 7)

Dhawan cuts the first ball of the fourth over for a single. Was a little uppish but safe. Shaw with one of the best shots from his arsenal, extra cover drive, for four runs. He converts the next two deliveries into boundaries as well. Udana completely losing the perspective and mindlessly bowling wrong lines. Comes back well on the last ball but Shaw taps and runs a single. 14 off the over.

FOUR! This is short and wide from Udana and Shaw blasts his through covers for four runs

FOUR! This is superbly played, Shaw waits on the ball, and opens the blade towards square on the off side, collects four runs

FOUR! This is just pure magic from Shaw, extra cover drive at its best. Result is four runs.

After 3 overs,India 31/0 ( Prithvi Shaw 22 , Shikhar Dhawan (C) 6)

Dhawan starts the third over with a boundary, opening his account as well. Shaw looking in great touch, especially with the leg glance and flicks. Chameera building up good pace but needs to get his line right. Nine off the over.

Experimentation, but not at the cost of winning

India probably have two objectives from these games. Try to win, of course, but also see how certain players are coming along. Hence the three overs at the end from Hardik instead of Chahar.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 18, 2021

FOUR! Hit on the full by Dhawan, between cover point and cover fielder, goes for easy four runs

After 2 overs,India 22/0 ( Prithvi Shaw 19 , Shikhar Dhawan (C) 0)

Isuru Udana, left-arm fast medium, from the other end. Starts off with two wides. And then he strays down the leg stump line, gets hit for a boundary. He changes his line, taking it across Shaw on ball number 3. But Shaw has come to the middle after having made his mind. He has hit two more fours in this over. India off to a flier already. 13 off it.

FOUR! Beautifully timed through mid-wicket by Shaw, and that is his fourth boundary in ten balls he has faced. India off to a brilliant start.

FOUR! Shaw collects his third boundary, Udana on his legs and Shaw plays the leg glance to hit it for four runs.

After 1 overs,India 9/0 ( Prithvi Shaw 9 , Shikhar Dhawan (C) 0)

Good start from Shaw as he collects two boundaries off the first over from Chameera. India collect nine off it. If Shaw keeps hitting those boundaries, India may make short work of this chase.

FOUR! Back to back boundaries for Shaw, this time room and he flashes his blade, through extra cover for four runs.

FOUR! Shaw hits a crisp back foot punch off Chameera to get things underway in the chase. First boundary for India.

Welcome back to the chase. Shaw and Dhawan out in the middle. Chameera will open the attack

After 50 overs,Sri Lanka 262/9 ( Chamika Karunaratne 43 , )

Excellent start to the final over for the hosts as Karunaratne flicks a low full toss towards the square leg fence, and runs a yorker down towards mid on for a brace. Hammers the ball over long on off the third to collect his first six. Bhuvneshwar misses another yorker next ball, as Chameera makes it back-to-back sixes with a well-timed hit over deep midwicket. Single off the fifth, followed by a run-out off the last ball as Chameera’s dismissed after chipping in with a valuable 13 off 7 balls, while Karunaratne remains unbeaten on 43.

From a position where India were expected to restrict the hosts to a total in the range of 200-220, valuable contributions from the lower order have helped Sri Lanka post 262 on the board, a total which they certainly can defend provided they get an early wicket or two.

OUT! Chameera’s cameo comes to an end as he’s run out off the final delivery of the innings, chipping the ball towards Bhuvneshwar, who simply rolls the ball towards the non-striker’s stumps to run him out by a mile.

Sri Lanka finish on 262/9 after opting to bat

Chameera run out (Bhuvneshwar) 13(7)

SIX! Another low full toss from Bhuvneshwar, and Karunaratne this time flicks it all the way over the midwicket fence to make it two sixes in a row. SL 261/8

SIX! Hammered over long on by Karunarate off Bhuvneshwar! SL 255/8

FOUR! Bhuvi starts the final over of the innings with a low full toss that Karunaratne is able to flick towards the square-leg fence for a boundary. SL 247/8

After 49 overs,Sri Lanka 243/8 ( Chamika Karunaratne 24 , Dushmantha Chameera 13)

Chameera to the rescue for the Sri Lankans when nothing else seems to be working for the hosts, as he smacks Hardik for a four and a six off consecutive deliveries, runs worth their weight in gold for the home team. Hardik responds with a bouncer that pings Chameera on the helmet off the fifth. Expect a reply from Chameera during India’s chase later in the evening, given he’s a fast bowler himself. Chameera heaves the ball towards long leg off the last delivery, with Padikkal putting in a slide in front of the boundary in vain while the batsman collects a brace. 13 from Hardik’s fifth over as he finishes the day with 1/33.

SIX! Chameera’s quite the cameo right now! Once again pulls towards the midwicket region, this time going even bigger. SL 241/8

FOUR! Hardik fires this along leg a bit quicker, at 130 clicks, and Chameera uses the pace on offer to pull towards the deep midwicket region to collect his first boundary. SL 235/8

After 48 overs,Sri Lanka 230/8 ( Chamika Karunaratne 23 , Dushmantha Chameera 1)

Bhuvneshwar continues to mix his pace to keep the batsmen guessing. Two singles collected in the first three balls, before Karunaratne collects back-to-back doubles to move into the 20s. Slices the ball over backward point off the last ball, collecting a single to keep the strike. Seven from Bhuvi’s eighth.

After 47 overs,Sri Lanka 223/8 ( Chamika Karunaratne 17 , Dushmantha Chameera 0)

The younger Pandya sibling bowls his fourth over. Single off each of the first four deliveries. Karunaratne pulls towards fine leg off the fourth, where the ball lands just short of Chahal. Udana departs after miscuing a slower delivery from the medlium-pacer off the fifth, resulting in an easy catch for Chahar near long on. Five runs and a wicket from this over.

OUT! Hardik finally gets a wicket against his name, as Udana skies the ball towards long on, where Deepak Chahar settles under it and completes a safe catch in the end. SL 222/8

Udana c Chahar b Hardik 8(9)

After 46 overs,Sri Lanka 218/7 ( Chamika Karunaratne 14 , Isuru Udana 6)

Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns in the business end of the innings. Direct hit towards the non-striker’s stumps, but Udana ensures the bat crosses the white line to complete the run. He goes for a wild pull over midwicket two balls later, coming back for a third. Single collected off every delivery barring the fourth, with eight coming off it. The ninth-wicket pair certainly are showing some intent with the urge to collect a single every ball, though boundaries are what they need if they are to cross 250.

After 45 overs,Sri Lanka 210/7 ( Chamika Karunaratne 11 , Isuru Udana 1)

Hardik Pandya, who’s bowled only two overs for 12 runs so far today, returns to the mix with the Sri Lankan innings nearing its end. Isuru Udana, who played for RCB in IPL 2020, joins Karunaratne at the centre, hoping to get some quick runs on the board in the death overs. Five off the over, including a couple of leg byes off the first delivery.

After 44 overs,Sri Lanka 205/7 ( Chamika Karunaratne 9 , Isuru Udana 0)

Chahal replaces Chahar to bowl out his final over. Four runs off as many balls, including a brace to Karunaratne off the third. Shanaka, attempting to clear the long on boundary, holes out to Hardik Pandya standing in front of the boundary to depart for 39 as the leggie signs off with a second wicket against his name.

OUT! Chahal strikes one more time in his final over of the day as Shanaka hits the ball straight down long on’s throat while looking for his second maximum. Big blow for the hosts as they would’ve hoped for their captain to stick till the very end. SL 205/7

Shanaka c Hardik b Chahal 39(50)

After 43 overs,Sri Lanka 201/6 ( Dasun Shanaka (C) 38 , Chamika Karunaratne 6)

Another tidy over from Krunal, giving away just four singles to finish with excellent figures of 1/26 from 10. The left-arm spinner’s played a big role in restricting Sri Lanka’s progress in the middle overs today. The Lankans, meanwhile, have crossed the 200-mark in the 43rd over.

After 42 overs,Sri Lanka 197/6 ( Dasun Shanaka (C) 36 , Chamika Karunaratne 4)

Shanaka and Karunaratne keep the scoreboard ticking by collecting a single off each of the first five deliveries of Chahar’s seventh over, before Shanaka his second four by cutting a slower bouncer behind point. Nine from the over.

FOUR! Slower bouncer from Chahar, Shanaka cuts this over backward point, with Chahal putting in a dive in vain at the boundary. SL 197/6

After 41 overs,Sri Lanka 188/6 ( Dasun Shanaka (C) 30 , Chamika Karunaratne 1)

Much better over from Chahal, thanks partly to the pressure created by the fall of Hasaranga’s wicket, as he concedes just two off his penultimate over, with new batsman Karunaratne getting off the mark in the process.

After 40 overs,Sri Lanka 186/6 ( Dasun Shanaka (C) 29 , Chamika Karunaratne 0)

Chahar continues. Single to Shanaka off the first ball, before Hasaranga just about manages to clear mid off with a mistimed pull that allows him to collect a double. Wide off the third delivery, before Hasaranga attempts another pull, this time holing out to Dhawan at midwicket to depart for 8. Chamika Karunaratne is the next man in, and is yet to get off the mark after facing three deliveries. Four runs and a wicket from Chahar’s sixth over, with pressure starting to build on Shanaka, who’s batting on 29 and is expected to lead Lanka’s charge in the final powerplay.

OUT! A second wicket for Chahar in as many overs as Hasaranga is on his way back to the pavilion after getting off to a promising start, pulling straight to Dhawan at midwicket as the India skipper puts in a dive to complete a fine catch, his second of the day. SL 186/6

Hasaranga c Dhawan b Chahar 8(7)

After 39 overs,Sri Lanka 182/5 ( Dasun Shanaka (C) 28 , Wanindu Hasaranga 6)

Chahal replaces Kuldeep. Shanaka drives the ball down the ground for a single, before Hasaranga exhibits his hitting prowess with a slog sweep towards deep midwicket for a four. Takes a single, and then it’s Shanaka’s turn to attack the leg-spinner, launching the ball towards long off after dancing down the track. The skipper keeps the strike with a single off the last delivery. 13 from the over, certainly Sri Lanka’s best so far today.

SIX! Tossed up delivery from Chahal, and Shanaka dances down the track to loft this inside out towards long off, where the ball lands on the advertising cushion. SL 181/5

FOUR! Hasaranga doesn’t wait long to play the expansive shots, getting down on one knee and swatting the ball towards the vacant midwicket boundary. SL 174/5

After 38 overs,Sri Lanka 169/5 ( Dasun Shanaka (C) 20 , Wanindu Hasaranga 1)

Chahar breaks the fifth-wicket stand just one short of the fifty mark as Asalanka departs for a patient 38 after nicking the ball to the keeper off the second delivery, bringing Hasaranga to the crease at No 7. Hasaranga’s quite the handy batsman himself with an ODI strike rate in excess of 100. Excellent over from the seamer with four coming off it along with the wicket.

OUT! Chahar returns to the attack and breaks the partnership right away, as Asalanka departs just when he was starting to close in on a half-century. Easy pickings for Kishan behind the stumps. SL 166/5

Asalanka c Kishan b Chahar 38(65)

After 37 overs,Sri Lanka 165/4 ( Charith Asalanka 38 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 18)

Some welcome runs off Asalanka’s bat in the Kuldeep’s penultimate over as the southpaw collects only the second boundary since the 21st over with a slog sweep towards the vacant cow corner region, before sweeping the ball towards deep backward square leg, getting enough time for a third as Chahar prevent the boundary in the last second. Nine from the over. Sri Lanka will need a few more of these if they are to post a competitive target today.

FOUR! Asalanka gets down on one knee and hoicks the ball towards the vacant cow corner region, where the ball lands just short of the rope, bouncing a couple of times before going over it. SL 161/4

After 36 overs,Sri Lanka 156/4 ( Charith Asalanka 31 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 16)

Krunal gives Asalanka and Shanaka absolutely no room for anything beyond a single, with the pair happy to collect five of them in his penultimate over of the day to keep the scoreboard ticking if boundaries are hard to come by.

After 35 overs,Sri Lanka 151/4 ( Charith Asalanka 29 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 13)

Dot off each of the first two deliveries, before Asalanka brings up the 150 for the hosts with a single off a cut. Shanaka moves to his right to sweep the ball towards deep backward square leg the next ball. Shout for caught-behind against Asalenka off the last ball, but the umpire’s not interested. Two from Kuldeep’s eighth.

After 34 overs,Sri Lanka 149/4 ( Charith Asalanka 28 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 12)

Another quick over from Krunal with just three coming off it. The left-arm spinner’s doing an excellent job of containing the two batsmen with his clever changes in pace, thereby helping the visitors maintain the stranglehold.

After 33 overs,Sri Lanka 146/4 ( Charith Asalanka 26 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 11)

Kuldeep brought back in place of Bhuvneshwar, presumably for a final burst. Asalanka, meanwhile shows some urgency with two back-to-back cuts along with some quick running between the wickets to collect back-to-back doubles. Takes a single off the last ball to keep the strike. Five from the over.

After 32 overs,Sri Lanka 141/4 ( Charith Asalanka 21 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 11)

Krunal, who has been extremely miserly so far with an economy rate of 2, replaces Chahal from the other end. Dot off each of the first four balls before Shanaka runs the ball down towards long off for a single. Asalanka then works the ball behind square on the leg side for one to keep the strike, as the umpire signals drinks for the second time this innings.

After 31 overs,Sri Lanka 139/4 ( Charith Asalanka 20 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 10)

Couple of steep deliveries from Bhuvneshwar to Shanaka, off the second and third deliveries in the over, the second one signalled a wide due to heigh. Shanaka then ends the dry spell for the Sri Lankans with a well-timed cut behind square to collect the first boundary in 59 deliveries, giving his partnership with Asalanka some impetus. Seven from the over.

FOUR! A boundary after AGES for the Sri Lankans as the captain cuts the length delivery from Bhuvneshwar through backward point. SL 138/4

After 30 overs,Sri Lanka 132/4 ( Charith Asalanka 19 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 5)

Chahal continues as Dhawan opts to stick with the pace+spin approach for now. Wide signalled in the fifth delivery, thanks to the extra turn and bounce. Three from the over, including two singles. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, haven’t collected a boundary in 56 deliveries now.

After 29 overs,Sri Lanka 129/4 ( Charith Asalanka 18 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 4)

Krunal given a break after a six-over spell as vice-captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to the attack. Skipper Shanaka, meanwhile, survives a close call as he was nowhere close to the non-striker’s stumps while Manish Pandey had a shy at it from cover, missing in the end and allowing the batsman to complete the single. Three from the over, including a wide.

After 28 overs,Sri Lanka 126/4 ( Charith Asalanka 17 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 3)

Another tidy over from Chahal with three singles coming off his sixth, two of which are collected by Asalanka. Just 20 runs have been collected in the last seven overs by the hosts. Pretty much handing the remote control to the Indians with that approach.

After 27 overs,Sri Lanka 123/4 ( Charith Asalanka 15 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 2)

Three from Krunal’s latest over as Asanka and Shanaka collect a single each along with a wide off the second delivery. Sri Lanka’s run rate, meanwhile, is starting to decline at this stage thanks to the lack of boundaries along with the pressure created by the fall of wickets.

After 26 overs,Sri Lanka 120/4 ( Charith Asalanka 14 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 1)

Chahal continues. Wide off the second delivery thanks to the extra turn outside leg, with the umpire responding to a muted appeal from the bowler for a caught-behind by stretching his arms. That, in addition to two singles, with three coming from the over.

After 25 overs,Sri Lanka 117/4 ( Charith Asalanka 13 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 0)

Looks like it’s Kuldeep who’s been given a break, as Krunal replaces him. Meanwhile de Silva looks to push the scoring rate a little, going for an inside out lofted shot off the fourth delivery. Unfortunately for him, the ball fails to travel the distance as Bhuvneshwar takes a fine catch running to his left. Out walks skipper Dasun Shanaka at No 6. Two singles and a wicket from this over.

OUT! Krunal strikes as Bhuvneshwar takes a fine running catch near long off while running to his left to dismiss de Silva, who went for an inside out lofted shot without getting enough power on it to clear the fence. SL 117/4

De Silva c Bhuvneshwar b Krunal 14(27)

After 24 overs,Sri Lanka 115/3 ( Dhananjaya de Silva 13 , Charith Asalanka 12)

Chahal back into the attack, replacing Krunal. Single to de Silva off the second. Asalanka nudges at a back-of-length delivery straying down leg off the third delivery, getting enough time to come back for a third run. Dhananjaya collects a single two balls later, before Asalanka drives the ball past mid off for a brace off the last delivery. Seven from the over.

After 23 overs,Sri Lanka 108/3 ( Dhananjaya de Silva 11 , Charith Asalanka 7)

First maiden for Kuldeep in his sixth straight over of the day as he keeps Asalanka on the backfoot, beating the southpaw with turn more often than not.

After 22 overs,Sri Lanka 108/3 ( Dhananjaya de Silva 11 , Charith Asalanka 7)

Big appeal for caught-behind off the second delivery against Dhananjaya, both keeper Ishan and Krunal sounding excited, but the umpire isn’t interested. Tidy over from the left-arm spinner, conceding just one off his fourth.

After 21 overs,Sri Lanka 106/3 ( Dhananjaya de Silva 10 , Charith Asalanka 6)

Dhananjaya collects a much-needed boundary off the fourth delivery to release some of the pressure that was starting to build after the twin-strike earlier, sweeping the ball behind square with Hardik failing to pull the ball back inside. He then collects a brace and a single off the remaining balls to keep the strike. 10 from the over.

FOUR! A release shot for Dhananjaya de Silva, which also brings up the 100 for the hosts. Gets down on one knee to sweep the ball behind square. Hardik gets close to the ball but is unable to prevent the boundary. SL 103/3

After 20 overs,Sri Lanka 96/3 ( Dhananjaya de Silva 2 , Charith Asalanka 5)

Easy singles on offer in Krunal’s third over, with two of them coming as Asalanka and de Silva continue to play the spinners cautiously.

After 19 overs,Sri Lanka 94/3 ( Dhananjaya de Silva 1 , Charith Asalanka 4)

Another tidy over from Kuldeep as he gives away just three off his fourth over, including a brace to Asalanka off the second ball. The wickets meanwhile, have changed Kuldeep’s body language and suddenly he looks a bowler vastly different from the one who struggled in the IPL earlier this year.

After 18 overs,Sri Lanka 91/3 ( Dhananjaya de Silva 1 , Charith Asalanka 1)

Maiden over from Krunal, who continues from the other end. Suddenly pressure’s on the hosts following the two quick dismissals in the previous over, and both de Silva and Asalanka will now take their time to get settled at the crease. Chance for India to dictate the proceedings.

After 17 overs,Sri Lanka 91/3 ( Dhananjaya de Silva 1 , Charith Asalanka 1)

Excellent over from Kuldeep as he removes the set batsmen in a space of a few deliveries, with Rajapaksa slicing his pull to get caught near mid on off the first delivery followed by Bhanuka edging the ball to the slips two balls later. Six runs and two wickets from the over.

OUT! Kuldeep gets both set batsmen dismissed in one over, as Bhanuka ends up offering the simplest of catches to the slip fielder while looking to drive the ball through the covers, paying the price for attempting the shot without getting close to the line. SL 89/3

Bhanuka c Shaw b Kuldeep 27(44)

FOUR! Kuldeep errs in length and ends up offering Bhanuka a juicy full toss that is swatted towards the midwicket fence for an easy boundary. SL 89/2

OUT! Kuldeep strikes, and breaks the partnership that was starting to look dangerous for the visitors. Rajapaksa, who had survived a close LBW decision two overs ago, ends up slicing the pull while looking to clear the leg side, resulting in an easy catch for the India skipper who brings out his trademark thigh slap celebration. SL 85/2

Rajapaksa c Dhawan b Kuldeep 24(22)

After 16 overs,Sri Lanka 85/1 ( Minod Bhanuka (W) 23 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 24)

Another spin option brought into play as Hardik’s brother Krunal Pandya gets introduced into the attack after the drinks interval, conceding three off his first including a brace to Bhanuka off the third delivery.

After 15 overs,Sri Lanka 82/1 ( Minod Bhanuka (W) 21 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 23)

Dhawan takes his first review as India captain after an LBW appeal against Rajapaksa in the third delivery. The ball lands flush on the boot and is hitting bang in the middle. Unfortunately for the visitors, impact’s ‘Umpire’s Call’ leading the the umpire’s original decision being retained. Six from the over, including a boundary to Rajapaksa off the second, as the umpire signals drinks at the end of this over.

FOUR! Rajapaksa dances down the track and lofts the ball over extra cover, with a misfield by Krunal in the deep allowing the ball to breach the rope. SL 81/1

After 14 overs,Sri Lanka 76/1 ( Minod Bhanuka 20 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 18)

Rajapaksa continues to attack the spinners, charging down the track in the third delivery to loft the ball over long on for his second maximum, keeping his strike rate in the three-digit zone while giving SL’s run rate a healthy boost. Eight from the over, including a wide off the penultimate delivery.

SIX! Rajapaksa charges down the track and lofts the ball over long on for the third six of the innings, as well as his second. SL 75/1

After 13 overs,Sri Lanka 68/1 ( Minod Bhanuka 19 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 12)

Right then, the Kul-Cha combination has been restored after a brief divorce as Kuldeep replaces Hardik from the other end. Seven from the over, including a boundary to Rajapaksa off the last delivery courtesy a well-timed sweep behind square.

FOUR! Full delivery outside leg, Rajapaksa gets down on one knee and sweeps the ball behind square to collect his first four. SL 68/1

After 12 overs,Sri Lanka 61/1 ( Minod Bhanuka 16 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 8)

The two batsmen continue to rebuild through singles as Chahal bowls a much tidier over this time, conceding three. Only a matter of time before Kuldeep Yadav gets introduced into the attack now.

After 11 overs,Sri Lanka 58/1 ( Minod Bhanuka 14 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 7)

Hardik continues and bowls a much tidier over this time, giving away just three runs as the two Bhanukas opt to rotate the strike between themselves through singles.

After 10 overs,Sri Lanka 55/1 ( Minod Bhanuka 12 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 6)

Yuzvendra Chahal is brought in in the last over of the first powerplay, and he gets off to a dream start by dismissing the set batsman Fernando first ball. Debutant Rajapaksa too is off to a strong start, slog-sweeping the ball for a six off his fourth delivery to guide the hosts past the 50-mark. Six runs and a wicket from the over. Positive so far from Sri Lanka after opting to bat.

SIX! What a start for Rajapaksa in ODI cricket, getting down on one knee and slog-sweeping the ball over the square leg fence for the second maximum of the innings. SL 55/1

OUT! Yuzvendra Chahal strikes off his first delivery of the day as Fernando steps out of the crease and drives the ball… straight into extra cover’s hands. Had got off to a positive start today but is unable to convert it into a fifty or a bigger score. SL 49/1

Fernando c Pandey b Chahal 32(35)

After 9 overs,Sri Lanka 49/0 ( Avishka Fernando 32 , Minod Bhanuka 12)

Right then, we have a bandana-sporting Hardik Pandya brought into the attack in the first bowling change of the innings. Hardik, who had been playing as a batsman for long due to his back issues and last bowled during the tour of Australia, will hope to achieve some success with the ball during the Lanka tour to assure selectors and the team management of his handiness with the ball in addition to his explosive batting. He’s off to an expensive start though as he concedes 10 off his first, including back-to-back boundaries to Bhanuka.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Bhanuka as he finally begins to express himself, flicking this over mid on to end the ninth over. SL 49/0

FOUR! Easy pickings for Bhanuka as he swats a back-of-length delivery from Hardik through the midwicket region that has absolutely no protection in the deep. SL 45/0

After 8 overs,Sri Lanka 39/0 ( Avishka Fernando 32 , Minod Bhanuka 4)

Chahar continues to bowl the tight lines, bowling a dot off each of the first four deliveries in addition to the maiden in his previous over. Just when pressure’s starting to build on the Lankans due to the lack of boundaries, Fernando flicks over the square-leg region with superb timing to clear the fence and collect the first six of the innings. Ends the over with a single to keep the strike.

SIX! First maximum of the innings, as Fernando breaks the long spell without a boundary, flicking the full delivery down leg from Chahar with impeccable timing and wristwork to comfortably clear deep square leg. SL 38/0

After 7 overs,Sri Lanka 32/0 ( Avishka Fernando 25 , Minod Bhanuka 4)

Wide called for height off the second delivery after a rather steep delivery from Bhuvi. Fernando tucks the ball through square leg for a brace off the next delivery, before three off the third after an aerial square drive that narrowly beats the diving point fielder. Third man runs to his right and puts in a slide to save a run. Three consecutive dots to end the over.

After 6 overs,Sri Lanka 26/0 ( Avishka Fernando 20 , Minod Bhanuka 4)

Play-and-miss for Bhanuka while attempting to drive a full delivery from Chahar off the third, the ball narrowly beating the bottom edge. Maiden over for Chahar, the first of the innings.

After 5 overs,Sri Lanka 26/0 ( Avishka Fernando 20 , Minod Bhanuka 4)

Fernando remains defensive for the most part in this over, blocking away the first five deliveries of Bhuvneshwar’s third. Marginal call for wide off the final delivery as the umpire deems the outs winger to have breached the tramline. Fernando clips the ball through square leg for a brace off the last ball.

After 4 overs,Sri Lanka 23/0 ( Avishka Fernando 18 , Minod Bhanuka 4)

Fernando keeps the scoreboard ticking with a single at the start of the over, tapping the ball towards the midwicket region. Bhanuka guides the ball towards fine leg for a single next ball. Couple of dots thereafter. Fernando works the ball through square leg for a single off the fifth, with Chahar ending what turns out to be a much better over for him with a dot.

After 3 overs,Sri Lanka 20/0 ( Avishka Fernando 16 , Minod Bhanuka 3)

Bhanuka gets off the mark with a brace off the first delivery of Bhuvneshwar’s second over, clipping a back-of-length ball behind square at the start of the over. Plays a similar shot three balls later, this time getting a single. More runs for Fernando off the last delivery as he clips the ball through square leg, Chahal giving the ball a chase and putting in a slide in the deep as the batsman easily comes back for a third. Six from the over.

Will be interesting to see how Kul-Cha go!

Delighted that India have gone in with Kuldeep and Chahal. Keen to see if they can get that combination going again; especially Kuldeep. This is a big series for him.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 18, 2021

After 2 overs,Sri Lanka 14/0 ( Avishka Fernando 13 , Minod Bhanuka 0)

Deepak Chahar from the other end, and he gets off to a false start, pulling out in the last second while bowling the first delivery after losing his footing. Another brace for Avishka as he punches a back-of-length ball through cover off the second delivery. Looks in great touch as he collects back-to-back fours, making the most of some loose stuff from the CSK seamer. 10 from the over. Bhanuka, meanwhile, is yet to get off the mark.

FOUR! Another overpitched delivery from Chahar, this time along middle and leg, and Fernando flicks this behind square to collect a second consecutive boundary. SL 14/0

FOUR! First boundary of the innings, as Avishka drives a length delivery from Chahar through the covers! SL 10/0

After 1 over,Sri Lanka 4/0 ( Avishka Fernando 3 , Minod Bhanuka 0)

Fernando gets off the mark right away, steering the ball square through the off side off Bhuvneshwar to collect a brace. Bhuvneshwar then collects three dots on the trot with a series of out-swingers. Wide down the leg side in the penultimate delivery followed by a single as Fernando clips the ball towards the leg side. Four from the over.

Avishka Fernando walks out to open alongside wicketkeeper-batsman Minod Bhanuka as India vice-captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar starts off with the ball in hand. And so begins the first of the six limited-overs contests, the last set of white-ball matches for India before the T20 World Cup later this year.

Sri Lanka XI: Avishka Fernando, Minod Bhanuka (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Isuru Udana, Dushmantha Chameera, Lakshan Sandakan

India XI: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prithvi Shaw, Ishan Kishan (wk), Manish Pandey, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya Deepak Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav

Shikhar Dhawan, India captain: We also wanted to bat, but we are very happy with the wicket. On top of the order, got Prithvi with me. Two debutants — Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav. Spinners are Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.

Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka captain: Batting first is ideal in this wicket. We got one debut. Bhanuka Rajapaksha is making his debut.

TOSS: Sri Lanka win the toss, and Dasun Shanaka opts to bat

“It’s been long since Ive batted in an actual game, but really excited for the series. India always have competition, lot of brilliant players. You have to keep scoring runs consistently. I feel it’s a family. Sometimes you don’t score runs and you sit out, so I’m fine with it. In ODI you have a lot of time to assess the situation and play accordingly. It’s always lovely to work under Rahul sir. Whatever experience he shares, we’re mentally prepared for it,” says young batsman Prithvi Shaw in a quick chat with the official broadcaster ahead of toss.

Amid the dilemma over the team combination given the abundance of young talent, former India batsman and ex-India women’s head coach WV Raman has backed Prithvi Shaw to open the innings alongside Shikhar Dhawan in the upcoming series. Shaw has had a number of successful partnerships alongside ‘Gabbar’ for Delhi Capitals, cementing the combination for the franchise.

Dasun Shanaka, who has been appointed Sri Lanka for the limited-overs series against India in the absence of the injured Kusal Perera, expects the upcoming series to be an evenly-contested one, saying the Indian team too lacked experience in their ranks.

Read: Hosts’ captain Dasun Shanaka expects even contest between two teams

India’s temporary white-ball captain Shikhar Dhawan on Saturday said that his team management would certainly check out if skipper Virat Kohli or coach Ravi Shastri has any specific player in mind going into the big-ticket ICC T20 World Cup.

Click here to read the article .

This is a second-string Indian side taking on Sri Lankans, filled with youth. 

Ahead of the limited-overs series, we take a look at some of the key Indian players to watch out for. 

Click here to read the article.

This Sri Lanka team is not as threatening as it used to be but it has some really good players who could be future stars for island nation.

Here we take a look at some of the players in the home team who could pose a threat to the Indian side, and could play a central role if the hosts are to notch up their first series win over the Indians in nine years:

It’s that time of the year… The ever-present fixture on the cricket FTP is back again. India vs Sri Lanka. There has barely been a year since 1992 when they have missed playing each other. Three ODIs and as many T20Is will fill this year’s quota with India touring the island nation. Unlike most of the past fixtures, this time it’s more chaotic though (mostly for the home side).

Read series preview here.

Hello and a very warm welcome to our LIVE coverage of the first ODI between Sri Lanka and India at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium. With Virat Kohli and Co currently in England ahead of the Test series, a different, new-look squad, led by Shikhar Dhawan, have assembled in the Island nation for the limited-overs tour. Stay tuned as we build up towards the match.