Highlights, India vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI at Dharamsala: Visitors win by 7 wickets

Lakmal says he has worked hard for the past few years and his fitness had been quite good over the last few days.

Thisara Perera: 200 percent credit to bowlers. They were disciplined, bowled the right lengths and areas. They did everything (right) for the team. It was an unplayable wicket. We did not expect this. Suranga Lakmal is a good fast bowler, he is doing a god job in ODIs also. Upul (Tharanga) gave us a good start. He is one of our best openers.

Rohit Sharma: We have 2 matches to go. We were not up to the mark. We didn’t have enough runs on the board. Had we got 70-80 runs more we would have had a match in our hands. We as a team want to thrive on these conditions. Not everyday will we get flat pitches. It is an eye-opener for us. We want to regroup and come up with a better batting performance. Dhoni has done it for so many years. Not surprised the way he batted. There was still something in the pitch when we were bowling, but 112 was just not going to be enough. Not such a great experience (as India captaincy debut), nobody wants to be on the losing side.

Suranga Lakmal adjuged the Man of the Match for 4/13 off his 10 overs. Broke India’s back really.

The end came quicker than expected, as Sri Lanka romp their way to a seven-wicket win and the 1-0 series lead. 

It was a promising start for the Indians as they got the early wicket. But they leaked too many extras and boundaries to allow the game to slip out of their hands. 

If anything, this Sri Lankan win has made the series a lot more exciting. Looking forward to India’s reply at Mohali.

It’s all over for India in the first ODI. Sri Lanka made the best of the toss, bowled well to dismiss India for 112 and then batted their way to a commendable win.  Dickwella and Mathews stepped on the gas at the right time to take the team past the finishing line. Disappointing start to the series by India. Their batsmen and bowlers were outsmarted. Only MS Dhoni stood out in testing conditions. Others just crumbled.

This is Sri Lanka’s first ODI win after losing 12 consecutive ODIs and this is also Sri Lanka’s first ODI win in India after losing last six ODIs.

After 20.4 overs,Sri Lanka 114/3 ( Angelo Mathews 25 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 26)

Bhuvneshwar to Mathews. Left alone. Gives the charge. Wild swing. Misses. The third ball is wide. One run less to get. Mathews then prods forward and off-drives past the fielder. Game over. Sri Lanka decimate India by 7 wickets. Sri Lanka proving in this tour that they are no more the meek set of individuals who got hammered in their own backyard by the same opposition a few months back.

The series becomes interesting now. India will have to win the next two matches to prevent a home series loss after a long, long time. But rest assured, India will came back strongly. They were on the back foot, losing the first match in their last series, against New Zealand, but then turned it around. Can’t rule such a comeback out here as well.

But let’s agree on one thing — Perera read the pitch well when we opted to bowl, though the initial opinion among the experts was win the toss and bat first.

FOUR! Mathews pulls out a fantastic off-drive and that is game, set and match for Sri Lanka.

After 20 overs,Sri Lanka 109/3 ( Angelo Mathews 21 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 26)

Pandya to Dickwella. Four. Four. He wants this match finished in a hurry. Five to win. Pandya comes back to beat Dickwella outside off. Then bowls a wide. Indiscipline! Nine runs from that over. Sri Lanka a boundary hit away from a massive victory.

FOUR! Dickwella has had enough. He wants to go home early. Goes over the top again, this time over wide long on.

FOUR! Dickwella goes over the top and gets a boundary at backward point.

After 19 overs,Sri Lanka 100/3 ( Angelo Mathews 21 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 18)

Bhuvneshwar to Dickwella. The left-hander gets a boundary off the third ball. India really going through the motions now. Five runs from that over. 100 up for the Lankans. Only 13 to win. In how many balls? You don’t ask!

FOUR! Dickwella turns one off his hips and collects a boundary.

After 18 overs,Sri Lanka 95/3 ( Angelo Mathews 21 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 13)

Bumrah to Mathews. The flood lights are on now. Did you expect the match to get over before the lights came on? You must have! Meanwhile the camera captures India head coach Ravi Shastri and fielding coach R Sridhar – who has a uncanny resemblance to Dhoni – deep in conversation. How they gee up their wards after such a performance would be crucial. And almost immediately a terrible fielding effort in the deep. Lazy attempt from Bhuvi. Doesn’t bend down on time. Four for Mathews. Four runs from that over.

FOUR! Mathews cuts with a slightly angled bat. Horrendous fielding by Bhuvi at the boundary.

After 17 overs,Sri Lanka 91/3 ( Angelo Mathews 17 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 13)

Pandya to Dickwella. Almost a return catch to the bowler off the first ball. Just out of reach of Pandya’s outstretched hands. A spanking drive off the fourth ball, but straight to the fielder. Bit cramped for room on the next balls. Sri Lanka in cruise control. Another French cut boundary would have the Indians hopping mad. How many such streaky fours have the Lankans got in this innings? Innumerable. That was a whisker away from the off pole. But as the saying goes, the Lankans would take the runs whichever way they come.

Sri Lanka’s experience is coming good. Like Tharanga who played and missed often, yet hit some lovely boundaries, Mathews too has come up with a mixed bag. But they are taking a toll of the bad balls and that is telling on the Indian team. Lanka are three-quarters of the way to the target and are looking in total control of this match

FOUR! Dickwella cuts and gets an inside edge. French cut to the boundary.

After 16 overs,Sri Lanka 85/3 ( Angelo Mathews 16 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 8)

Bumrah replaces Bhuvi. Another cutter. Beats the outside edge of Dickwella’s bat. Squared up on the next ball. Single. Then two fours for Mathews. The first one pulled to square leg and the next driven with authority through cover. Nine runs from that over.

FOUR! Mathews waits on the back foot and drives with disdain. Right from the middle of the bat.

FOUR! Short-pitched from Bumrah and Mathews rolls his hands over the pull. Boundary to square leg.

After 15 overs,Sri Lanka 76/3 ( Angelo Mathews 8 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 7)

Pandya continues. Mathews being watchful. No runs off the first four balls. Digs the next ball which is full out to mid off. Still no run. Some runs off the last ball, though. Four off them. Played with a straight bat to the long on fence. SL batsmen looking extremely assured. Drinks taken at the end of that over.

FOUR! Fantastic on-drive from Mathews. It is now only a matter of time before the match is wrapped up.

After 14 overs,Sri Lanka 72/3 ( Angelo Mathews 4 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 7)

Bhuvneshwar to Dickwella. Has the batsman hopping and beats him with a ball that rises sharply and moves away. Good carry to MSD. Dickwella gets a boundary, going over the in-field towards wide long-on. Two runs off the last ball. Six runs from that over. 

Meanwhile, we are getting reports that Bumrah’s grandfather has passed away. Sad news!

FOUR! Dickwella picks a length ball up and fetches a boundary at wide long on. SL are moving resolutely to the target.

Hardik Pandya has the last laugh but Upul Tharanga played his part today. It will be vital for India to take at least two more wickets quickly to make a comeback in the match.

After 13 overs,Sri Lanka 66/3 ( Angelo Mathews 4 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 1)

Pandya continues. Starts with a wide and then a pull to the fence from Tharanga. He is now one short of his fifty. Pandya seems to have left his bowling form at home. But Tharanga won’t have the fifty this time. Edges a good length ball from Pandya to the ‘keeper. Was drawn into the shot. But Dhawan almost dropped that catch at first slip. Hard hands from him. This has been an error-strewn day for India. That’s not something you see too often these days. A wicket nevertheless and Niroshan Dickwella comes in. Six runs and a wicket in that over.

The ball is coming on easy. Not doing as much as it was earlier when India batted. In fact the pitch has quickened to the extent that Tharanga has played a few wonderful drives on the rise, something that was impossible for all batsmen at the start of the match. India’s total looks inadequate at this stage. Lanka need around 50 runs for the win

OUT! Tharanga edges and Dhawan juggles at first slip, but holds on.   

Tharanga c Dhawan b Hardik Pandya 49(46)

FOUR! Shortish from Pandya and Tharanga pulls to collect a boundary.

After 12 overs,Sri Lanka 61/2 ( Upul Tharanga 45 , Angelo Mathews 4)

Bhuvneshwar to Mathews. A single to start with. Tharanga plays and misses, and Mathews plays and misses too. But what is good for the Lankans is that they are weathering the storm, and when they get chances to pick up runs, they are pouncing on them. Tharanga gets an edge off the last ball, but it’s short of the slip cordon. The rub of the green is going Lanka’s way too.

After 11 overs,Sri Lanka 56/2 ( Upul Tharanga 43 , Angelo Mathews 2)

Hardik Pandya into the attack now. Three slips lie in wait. A single to third man off the third ball. Then a hat-trick of boundaries. Two sublime extra-cover drives and then a wild delivery on the legs, which beats the ‘keeper to the fence. Five wides. India slowly being batted out of the game. 14 runs from that over, no less.

FOUR! Pandya sprays the ball on the leg side, which runs away to the fence, beating MSD’s dive. Five wides. India leaking runs.

FOUR! Same shot, same result. Lankans coasting now.

FOUR! Tharanga leans into a drive. Played that good length ball from Pandya on the up and finds the gap at extra cover.

After 10 overs,Sri Lanka 42/2 ( Upul Tharanga 35 , Angelo Mathews 1)

Bumrah to Tharanga. The gangling Bumrah disturbs the furniture, but not at the end he would have wanted to. Disturbs the stumps at the non-striker’s end. No ball called. Free hit. Bowls an yorker and Tharanga inside edges it to the boundary. No chance for MSD. A single off the third ball. Three slips for Mathews. Mathews gets off the mark off his 11th ball, and then Mathews collects a boundary off the last ball. Fine extra-cover drive. the fieldsman gives up the chase.

FOUR! Tharanga drives and collects a boundary at extra cover. Runs coming thick and fast.

FOUR! Free hit. Another inside edge and another boundary. Desperate dive by Dhoni to no avail.

After 9 overs,Sri Lanka 32/2 ( Upul Tharanga 27 , Angelo Mathews 0)

Bhuvneshwar to Tharanga. Four off the first ball. And again. The second boundary is an extraordinary shot. A little chip and the ball carries a long distance. Mathews cut in half off the last ball. Eleven runs taken off that over.

Jasprit Bumrah has delivered 15 no balls in his ODI career which is the most by any bowler since his ODI debut.

FOUR! Tharanga chips one over mid on and the ball runs away to the boundary. Well-timed that. Runs suddenly have started to flow.

FOUR! Tharanga gets width from Bhuvi and cuts for a boundary. All had-eye coordination and no feet again.

After 8 overs,Sri Lanka 20/2 ( Upul Tharanga 16 , Angelo Mathews 0)

Bumrah to Tharanga. One run off the first three balls. Mathews beaten on two consecutive deliveries. Nothing shots really, both of them. Three slips in place. The last ball is defended. Only a run from that over.

Bhuvi gets away with a near no ball. The third umpire could not get a clear shot of the incident and left it to the field umpire to decide. He declared the batsman out. India really have to work on their propensity to deliver no balls at crucial stages. In the Champions Trophy final against Pakistan Bumrah ‘got’ opener Fakhar Zaman when he was on 3. The no ball saved him. He went on to make a match-winning century.

After 7 overs,Sri Lanka 19/2 ( Upul Tharanga 15 , Angelo Mathews 0)

Bhuvneshwar to Thirimanne. The first ball produces a wicket as Thirimanne plays on to his stumps. He was cramped for room on that occasion. Was that another no ball. Replays inconclusive. The view was blocked. Further replays suggest that Bhuvi had some part of his foot behind the crease. Bhuvi does get his wicket. Angelo Mathews comes in. Wicket-maiden.

Bumrah’s tryst with no balls continues in this game, as a catch at gully gets nullified due to him overstepping. Memories come flooding as a result. 

He then doesn’t join the celebrations when Thirimanne chops on to his stumps off Bhuvi’s bowling. India though, have got the kind of start that they needed to defend such a low total. 

The floodlights, in the meantime, have been activated at the HPCA Stadium. 

OUT! Thirimanne chops on. The umpires check for no ball again. Touch and go. Bhuvi’s foot is not too far away from overstepping. Would be disaster if another wicket is cancelled due to overstepping. Adjudged out in the end. But not great discipline from the Indian pacers.

Thirimanne b Bhuvneshwar 0(3)

After 6 overs,Sri Lanka 19/1 ( Upul Tharanga 15 , Lahiru Thirimanne 0)

Bumrah to Tharanga. Starts off with a wide. Follows it up with another peach of a delivery. Angling away from the batsman. That was not too far from the outside edge. Pokes at the next one. Misses again. Leaves the next ball go to the ‘keeper. The fourth ball is wide. Tharanga stays fixed to the crease and cuts. NO run. Straight to backward point. Bumrah gets his radar wrong again. Finally, Tharanga edges one to the gully. Karthik accepts it gleefully. But wait, the umpires want to check for a no ball. Bumrah has a poor reputation to overstep. And as if on cue, replays show that he had indeed overstepped. This is turning out to be a chronic problem for him. Poor cricket. Tharanga stays. Free hit! An adding salt to injury, Tharanga inside edges it to the fence. Six runs from that over.

Not the first time Bumrah’s bowled a no ball at a crucial stage. He  did so against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final and they went on to win. This time his no ball reprieved Upul Tharanga.

FOUR! Inside edge and Tharanga collects a boundary off a free hit.

After 5 overs,Sri Lanka 13/1 ( Upul Tharanga 11 , Lahiru Thirimanne 0)

Bhuvneshwar to Tharanga. A boundary followed by a play-and-a-miss. A single off the last ball and that’s all that India get.

FOUR! Tharanga employs the square drive again and bisects the fielders. Take a boundary.

After 4 overs,Sri Lanka 7/1 ( Upul Tharanga 6 , Lahiru Thirimanne 0)

Bumrah to Gunathilaka. Beats the batsman with the second ball. A nothing shot really. Swings the bat blindly and misses. Pays for his misdventure eventually. Tries to send the fourth ball out of the park. Completely unnecessary. They just need 113 in loads and loads of overs. Edges to Dhoni who doesn’t make any mistake. Lanka one down. Gunathilaka carelessly throws his wicket away. Lahiru Thirimanne comes in and shoulders arms, follwed by a defence. Wicket-maiden

OUT! Gunathilaka makes room and takes a wild swipe. Ends up edging to the ‘keeper. India are in business. 

Gunathilaka c Dhoni b Bumrah 1(11)

The only way India can pull this off is by taking 10 wickets. Bumrah and Bhuvi need to grab wickets when ball is still new

After 3 overs,Sri Lanka 7/0 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 1 , Upul Tharanga 6)

Bhuvi to Tharanga. Some movement off the wicket. Beats the batsman comprehensively. Beats him again. On a good length, and the batsman stays rooted to the crease. Tharanga gets a boundary on the fourth ball. Square drive. All hand-eye coordination, no footwork. Plays away from his body, but gets a good result. Bumrah comes back to bit Tharanga. Well collected by MSD behind the stump. Another play and a miss off the last ball.

FOUR! First boundary for Sri Lanka. Tharanga square drives a wide delivery away past point.

After 2 overs,Sri Lanka 3/0 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 1 , Upul Tharanga 2)

Bumrah to Tharanga. Hurries the batsman. The next ball beats Tharanga too. Pops up off the high pad. Bumrah has started with a lot of vigour. Induces an edge. Short of the fielders behind the wicket. Well-stopped by the gully fielder though. Two slips and a gully in place. Gunathilaka play at and misses the next ball. A single is all that SL get.

After 1 overs,Sri Lanka 2/0 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 1 , Upul Tharanga 1)

Bhuvneshwar to Gunathilaka. Short and some movement. Gunathilaka getting a bit squared up. The fourth ball is pushed to mid off. Only a run till now. The Lankans can take their time. Driven uppishly to third man. Thick edge, could have easily gone to hand. A gully is stationed following that shot. India have to keep hunting for wickets, that is the only way they can even come close. Two runs from that over.

The players come out after the break. Gunathilaka and Tharanga in the middle and Buhvi takes the new ball for India. India would be hoping their pacers get the same purchase, but the pitch would have eased out by now.

Some late resistance from Dhoni helped the Indians save some face in the game, as his hard-earned half-century guides the hosts to 112 from a position where getting bowled out for less than 50 looked likely. 

Lest we forget, India boasts of a quality attack too, and it certainly wont be an easy ride to the target for Perera and Co. 

Time for me to help myself to some refreshments now.

Highest percentage of runs in a completed ODI innings for India:

65.78 – Kapil Dev (175*/266) v Zimbabwe, 1983

65.34 – Rohit Sharma (264/404) v Sri Lanka, 2014

58.62 – Sourav Ganguly (153*/261) v New Zealand, 1999

58.03 – MS DHONI (65/112) v Sri Lanka, 2017*

55.33 – Rohit Sharma (171*/309) v Australia, 2016

112 is India’s lowest total in ODIs played in India in 21st century. The previous lowest total was 144 and came against Pakistan at Delhi in 2005.

Dhoni’s superb innings ends. What a knock. So much of self belief and confidence in his ability to take India to safety. Held the innings together single-handedly. Final total of 112 was unimaginable when India were 29 for 7. Dhoni’s 65 was invaluable and has given the Indian bowlers something to bowl with.

After 39 overs,India 112/10 ( Yuzvendra Chahal 0 , )

Perera to Dhoni. MSD starts with a four. Tries to go big off the next ball too, but is caught at long off. The lone ranger falls and with that India fold up for a paltry 112, defeat staring them in the face. But one has to give credit to Dhoni. It could have been much worse for India had he not fired. Symbolic that he was the last man to fall. He was the one standing between the Lankans and India for much of the innings.

OUT! Dhoni tries to clear long off, but holes out in the deep. That concludes an innings that you will walks miles to watch. India all out. 

Dhoni c Gunathilaka b Perera 65(87)

FOUR! Dhoni gets one short and wide and collects a boundary at backward point. The boundary rider looked a bit lethargic.

After 38 overs,India 108/9 ( MS Dhoni (W) 61 , Yuzvendra Chahal 0)

Pradeep to Chahal. Well, well, well! The No 11 is showing some great technique. Warrants a promotion in the order surely. Clearly looks better than an average of 1. Leaving the ball well outside off too. Safely negotiates that over. Maiden.

Sri Lanka have bowled 12 maidens in India’s innings which is a record in an innings in ODIs in India.

After 37 overs,India 108/9 ( MS Dhoni (W) 61 , Yuzvendra Chahal 0)

Pathirana to Dhoni. Looks to attack the first ball. Gets to soaring to long on. Refuses the run. Smashes a monster six two balls later. The ferocious shot then down the ground. Could have been a four, but fielded. Dhoni refuses the run again. The last ball brings the boundary that MSD was looking for. Big shot straight. Ten runs from that over. It has been Dhoni versus the Lankans in this innings.

What a superb 50 by Dhoni. He was biding for time. Gave the bowlers utmost respect at the start. Countered seam movement by stepping out and putting bowlers off their comfort zone. Then as the ball got older and the pitch lost its sting, started to play some lovely shots. Brilliant knock where he showed amazing self belief and confidence to take India past the 100 mark. .

Most 50-plus scores against Sri Lanka in ODIs:

25 – Sachin Tendulkar 

21 – MS DHONI*

20 – Saeed Anwar

Has been every bit a quality innings from Dhoni, given the circumstances he found himself in. He has only got better with age as far as his role as a sheet anchor is concerned. Will hope to hog as much strike as possible, and give the bowlers something to defend. 

“Dhoni” chants at its loudest right now!

FOUR! Dhoni ends the over with a four with a fierce shot straight down the ground.

SIX! Dhoni goes down town and that is deep into the crowd. Second six of the innings.

After 36 overs,India 98/9 ( MS Dhoni (W) 51 , Yuzvendra Chahal 0)

Pradeep comes back into the attack. The first ball is dispatched over the ropes at long off. Gets a boundary off the fifth ball to get to his fifty. Would not have been many more gritty half-centuries from him. He has got more than half of the team’s runs in this innings. Eleven runs from that over.

FIFTY! Dhoni drives a full toss to the cover boundary and that is his fifty. 67th half-century in ODIs for the great man.

Bumrah certainly didn’t know his role in the partnership. He attempted an agricultural shot, missed the ball and was bowled. No wonder Dhoni refused at least a dozen runs just to keep strike. Bumrah looked better when he didn’t have to face any delivery.

SIX! Dhoni stands and delivers. Goes through the line using his bottom hand and gets a maximum over long off.

After 35 overs,India 87/9 ( MS Dhoni (W) 40 , Yuzvendra Chahal 0)

Pathirana to Bumrah. The third ball produces a wicket. A tossed up delivery. Bumrah looks to slog across the line, misses totally and is cleaned up. Totally uncalled for shot, with Dhoni still present at he other end. And Dhoni looks irritated. Yuzvendra Chahal is the new batsman in. But one’s not sure if you can call him a batsman. Has an ODI average of 1.

OUT! Bumrah tries to attack for a change. The ball skids on, completely misses and is bowled.

Bumrah b Pathirana 0(15)

After 34 overs,India 87/8 ( MS Dhoni (W) 40 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

Dananjaya to Dhoni. Four balls, no run, and the field comes in for the last two balls. The Lankans won’t mind giving Dhoni a boundary, but a single is what they want to prevent. They want to bowl at Bumrah, who is not too better than a bunny with the bat, for all of next over. A game of chess going on. A few nervous moments on the last ball. Dhoni wants a single. Can’t have it. Maiden.

After 33 overs,India 87/8 ( MS Dhoni (W) 40 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

Pathirana to Dhoni. Gives the charge on the second ball. Gets the ball away towards deep square leg. Refuses the run. Cuts on the next two balls, but fails to pierce the gap. Takes a single off the third ball, though as the extra cover fielder misfields. The fielders are coming in for Bumrah. Short cover, FSL, slip in place for Bumrah. Goes back deep in his crease on the fifth ball. Meek back foot defence. Hit on the pad. Appeal and out given. India review. Impact looks outside off. It was pretty clear really. Blooper from the on-field umpire. The third umpire saves Bumrah. A single is all that India get.

Dhoni farming the bowling these last two partnerships. He started giving Kuldeep Yadav the strike after a while. But with Bumrah it is different. Dhoni keen on retaining strike and refusing singles. He is taking the total to some sort of respectability. Certainly towards a total that seemed unimaginable sometime back.

After 32 overs,India 86/8 ( MS Dhoni (W) 39 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

Dananjaya to Dhoni. Lot of chirping by the close-in Lankan fielders. Dhoni kept quiet on the first five balls. Tension times approaching. Dhoni would be looking for a single off the last ball. The fielders will have to be on their toes. Bumrah is not a great runner between the wickets. The fierce drive down the ground by MSD off the last ball and as if on cue, there is nearly a mix-up. Bumrah in the end makes his ground. A single and thankfully for India, Dhoni retains the strike.

After 31 overs,India 85/8 ( MS Dhoni (W) 38 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

Sachith Pathirana into the attack with his left-arm orthodox. Almost immediately given the charge by Dhoni. Got bit to close to the ball and failed to get the elevation. Long on fields, but Dhoni refuses the run. Gets a boundary away next. Looks like this would be his strategy for the rest of the innings. Get as much strike as possible and collect the odd four and get the total past 150.

FOUR! Dhoni rocks back and cuts a good length ball from Pathirana and collects a boundary. That is his seventh.

After 30 overs,India 80/8 ( MS Dhoni (W) 33 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

Dananjaya to Bumrah. Forward short leg, slip and leg slip in place. The first ball is a juicy full toss. Bumrah, however, goes back and dourly defends. That tells a story, doesn’t it? Defend, defend, defend. Looks like Bumrah has only one gear, or have been ordered by MSD to not use any other!  Maiden.

After 29 overs,India 80/8 ( MS Dhoni (W) 33 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

Pradeep to Dhoni. The first three balls produce no run. The fourth ball could have as MSD gets the ball away to sweeper cover. But he refuses the single. Doesn’t want to expose Bumrah. The last delivery catches Dhoni in two minds. Looks to draw his bat away at the last moment. The ball hits his bat more than Dhoni hitting it and rolls to the slip cordon. Maiden again.

After 28 overs,India 80/8 ( MS Dhoni (W) 33 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

Back after drinks. Dhananjaya to Dhoni. Boundary off the first ball for MSD. The ball sails away to the mid-wicket fence. Dhoni takes a single off the last ball. The Lankans have a slip, forward short leg and leg slip for Bumrah. The last ball is safely negotiated. Five runs off that over. Dhoni, however, is playing an innings of tremendous character.

Dhoni found able support from Kuldeep, and helped the hosts avoid the ignominy of getting bowled out for their lowest-ever total. Has also got the fans going in the process. With Kuldeep’s dismissal off mystery spinner Dananjaya’s bowling, it all boils down to him and his ability to anchor the remainder of the Indian innings.

FOUR! Dhoni comes down th track and hits Dhananjaya to the mid-wicket fence. Dismissed with disdain.

After 27 overs,India 75/8 ( MS Dhoni (W) 28 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

Perera to Dhoni. The first ball is a full toss and Dhoni gets it away to the fence. Not with a smallest of conviction. Inside edged four. The fourth ball has him inside edging again. This time on to the pads. Prods forward on the last ball. Rapped on the pads again. Appeal. Not out. The impact was clearly outside off. Five runs from that over. Aaand that’s drinks…

FOUR! Another inside edge and another boundary for MSD. These runs are gold dust for India.

After 26 overs,India 70/8 ( MS Dhoni (W) 24 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

Akila Dananjaya produces a gem of a delivery. Draws Kuldeep into a forward defence and has him stumped. Jasprit Bumrah the new man in and the Lankans have a forward short leg. That too in the 26th over of an ODI in India, against India! Bumrah goes deep into his crease to defend. Look a candidate for LBW.

Terrible way to get out for Kuldeep Yadav after batting so well and battling it on a seaming track. Elementary mistake. Was on the crease all the time. Stumped off the bowling of Dhananjaya.

Terrible way to get out for Kuldeep Yadav after batting so well and battling it on a seaming track. Elementary mistake. Was on the crease all the time. Stumped off the bowling of Dhananjaya.

OUT! Akila Dananjaya comes in. Spin for the first time in this innings. The third ball is tossed up. Kuldeep prods forward. Misses. Dickwella whips the bails off and he is very excited. The umpires go upstairs. STUMPED! Kuldeep’s foot was on the line. So much for the Indian recovery.     

Kuldeep Yadav st Dickwella b Dananjaya 19(25)

After 25 overs,India 69/7 ( MS Dhoni (W) 23 , Kuldeep Yadav 19)

Perera to Dhoni. MSD cuts over point for a boundary on the first ball. Kuldeep is not far behind though. Another sublime shot after the square drive in the previous over. A glance to the fence. Nine runs from that over. We are at the halfway stage and India have some work on their hands.

FOUR! Kuldeep glances one down to fine leg. Runs coming a bit easily now.

MS Dhoni becomes the second wicket-keeper batsman to score 16,000-plus runs in international cricket after Kumar Sangakkara.

Indian batsmen to score 16000-plus runs in international cricket:

Sachin Tendulkar 
Rahul Dravid 
Sourav Ganguly 
Virender Sehwag 
Virat Kohli 
MS DHONI*

FOUR! A fierce cut from Dhoni. India getting some very handy runs now.

After 24 overs,India 60/7 ( MS Dhoni (W) 18 , Kuldeep Yadav 15)

Pradeeep to Kuldeep. Single. Here comes Dhoni and plays a characteristic fine pull. Four. Kuldeep gets a boundary away off the last ball, and you would not see a more sublime shot. Great technique, meeting the ball right under his eyes, and had his head still. That would have made Sourav Ganguly proud. Ten runs from that over.

FOUR! Kuldeep plays a delightful square drive off the last ball. No stopping that.

FOUR! Dhoni gets another boundary. Pulls and pulls fine. Desperate attempt by the fielder at fine leg, but fails to stop the boundary and India have now crossed their lowest-ever score in ODIs, which was also against Sri Lanka.

That’s some milestone for today! India reach 50, a total unimaginable an hour ago. Dhoni and Kuldeep picking runs off second string bowlers.

After 23 overs,India 50/7 ( MS Dhoni (W) 13 , Kuldeep Yadav 10)

Perera continues. MSD inside edges the first ball, and picks up a lucky boundary. India need a bit of luck, you feel. Fifty up for India in that over, the 23rd of the innings. Difficult to believe, isn’t it? Six runs from that over.

FOUR! Dhoni gets a boundary. Streaky again. Inside edge that could well have gone on to he stumps. Goes to the fence instead.

After 22 overs,India 44/7 ( MS Dhoni (W) 8 , Kuldeep Yadav 9)

Couple of boundaries for Kuldeep in that Pradeep over – one played with utmost conviction, the other not quite. And that is the best over for India today. A bouncer to finish. Nine runs came off that over. Also India have now crossed the lowest-ever total in ODI cricket. Small mercies.

Lakmal gets a rousing reception after the conclusion of his spell, as he walks away with outstanding figures of 4/13 from 10 overs. Has been a memorable outing for him, both this as well as the one in the Eden Test. 

All hopes of India getting to a respectable score pinned on MSD now.

FOUR! Kuldeep gets another boundary. But this is streaky. Past the slip cordon and runs away to the fence.

FOUR! Kuldeep gets a boundary through mid-wicket. That was well played by him. Got his bat down well in time and placed the ball beautifully.

After 21 overs,India 35/7 ( MS Dhoni (W) 7 , Kuldeep Yadav 1)

Thisara Perera into the attack now. Kuldeep gets a single to give MSD the strike early in the over, and the latter shows his class, to get a boundary. That has been as rare as a blue moon in this innings. A single in the next three balls. Six runs from that over. What matters for India is that MSD will be on strike first ball next over.

Second authentic shot off the meat of the bat today. Dhoni stepping out and driving Thisara Perera to the cover fence

FOUR! Dhoni gives Perera the charge and smacks the short-piched deliver to the cover boundary with utmost authority.

After 20 overs,India 29/7 ( MS Dhoni (W) 2 , Kuldeep Yadav 0)

Pradeep to Dhoni. Appeal for LBW off the second ball. Not out given. Lanka review. Umpire’s call. Lanka retain the review. The Lankans want to check for a run out too. India safe there too for the moment. But they are just hanging in there. They have been singed by the visitors in this innings. Dhoni, meanwhile, is refusing singles. He has little faith in Kuldeep batting abilities on this spiteful pitch! A play and a miss off the last ball. A hostile maiden.

Best bowling figures for Sri Lankan bowlers in ODIs in India:

6/14 – Farveez Maharoof v West Indies, Mumbai, 2006

5/57 – Graeme Labrooy v India, Vadodara, 1987

4/13 – SURANGA LAKMAL v India, Dharamsala, 2017*

After 19 overs,India 29/7 ( MS Dhoni (W) 2 , Kuldeep Yadav 0)

Lakmal into his final over. The first ball is left alone, but that is not too far away from the stumps. Lucky for Kuldeep. Kuldeep leaves the next ball alone too, then dabs one down to slip. How long can he hang in there like this. It is only a matter of time before he is prised out. Looks to be very ungainly with his technique. And foot movement? Well, that is non-existent. Kuldeep gets one away to deep third man on the fifth ball, but Dhoni refuses the single. Wants strike in first ball of the next over. Might as well too. Kuldeep is looking very shaky. Almost gets out off the last ball. Rapped on the pads. Missing leg.

Has been shocking, and somewhat comical, to see a top side like India collapse like this. The Virat Kohli factor will surely be the talking point after this game. 

Full credit to the Lankan pacers, especially Lakmal, for making the most of the swinging conditions. Good toss to win for the visitors.

After 18 overs,India 29/7 ( MS Dhoni (W) 2 , Kuldeep Yadav 0)

Pradeep to Dhoni. No runs in that over. The sixth maiden of the innings. Good changes of length in that over by Pradeep. India kept under a tight leash.

Diabolical collapse in Dharamshala!

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 10, 2017

28 is now the lowest score at which India have lost their seventh wicket in an ODI. The previous lowest was 43 against New Zealand at Bulawayo in 2005 and against West Indies at Toronto in 1999.

Bhuvi falls, caught behind off Lakmal. What a morning! Forgettable as far as the Indian team is concerned. Would have really shaken their confidence in their ability to bat on a bowler-friendly pitch. Lankans getting the ball to seam around. At 29 for 7 India in danger of getting all out for their lowest ever score in ODIs. Their lowest is 54 vs Sri Lanka in Sharjah was the previous lowest .

After 17 overs,India 29/7 ( MS Dhoni (W) 2 , Kuldeep Yadav 0)

Lakmal in for his ninth over. Looks like he will bowl out. Another wicket! Bhuvi gets a peach of a delivery. Edged to slips. India 35 all out… possible? Kuldeep Yadav comes in with the Lankan Lions breathing fire. One run and a wicket in that over.

OUT! Bhuvi gone. A dream delivery. On a good length and moving away a tad. No footwork from the batsman. Edged to slips. 

Bhuvneshwar c Dickwella b Lakmal 0(5)

After 16 overs,India 28/6 ( MS Dhoni (W) 1 , Bhuvneshwar Kumar 0)

Pradeep to MSD. Single behind square on the on side. The second ball has Pandya in trouble. He tries to draw his bat away at the last minute, but to no avail. Edge to slip. Bhuvneshwar Kumar comes in way earlier than he would have expected. Edged first delivery, but the ball does not carry to slips. Good bowling by the New Zealand bowlers, says Sunil Gavaskar on air. Well, we can understand. It does look like India are playing in New Zealand! Gavaskar corrects himself subsequently. Another LBW appeal off the next ball. Not out given on the field. Lanka review. Looks like bit of an inside edge. Pad first, says the third umpire. Ball tracking shows the delivery just clipping the stumps. Umpire’s call. Bhuvi stays. Lanka does not lose the review.

28 is now the lowest score at which India have lost their sixth wicket in an ODI. The previous lowest was 28 against Sri Lanka at Sharjah in 2000.

OUT! Pandya gone now edging to slips. Looks like the Indian team wants to go the Virushka’s shaadi!

Hardik Pandya c Mathews b Pradeep 10(10)

After 15 overs,India 27/5 ( MS Dhoni (W) 0 , Hardik Pandya 10)

Lakmal to MSD. Single to long leg. Pandya plays a superb cover drive off the fourth ball. Just comes forward a bit and pushes it through the gap on the off side. The shot of the morning. Well, perhaps the only confident shot of the morning so far. The next ball is on a good channel outside off. Pandya wants to play at it, then pulls his bat away. Some excitement among the fielders, but they choose not to review. The last ballm is cut fiercely, but fielded wonderfully at backward point. Seven runs from that over.

First decent shot of the morning. A lovely drive from Hardik Pandya off front foot to cover fence.

“Dafaa ho jaa” went the spectators just as Karthik was pondering over reviewing the lbw decision against him, before walking off. 

The struggle to collect runs in the powerplay has almost put fans to sleep, and it took Dhoni’s arrival at the crease for them to find their voices again. 

Meanwhile, debutant Iyer chops on to his off stump, knocking it over, giving Pradeep his first wicket.

FOUR! Hardik Pandya pushes the fourth ball in the gap through cover and point. The first confident shot from the Indians in this match!

16 is now the lowest score at which India have lost their fifth wicket in an ODI. The previous lowest was 17 against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells in 1983.

After 14 overs,India 20/5 ( MS Dhoni (W) 0 , Hardik Pandya 4)

Pradeep continues. Scrambled seam and the ball nips back. Iyer doesn’t know what to do. Plays it half-heartedly, and gets an inside edge to the stumps. India had once been bowled out for 54 by Sri Lanka sometime back. This could be repeat of that. Hardik Pandya joins Dhoni in the middle. This duo is key for India. Pandya plays the last ball of the over with hard hands. Not a good technique on this kind of a seaming pitch. A fortuitous boundary to third man.

More of the same. Clueless Shreyas Iyer put out of his misery by Pradeep. Looks highly unlikely India will even get to 50 in these conditions. Lankans bowling superb lines. Hardly any wides. Making the batsmen play most of the deliveries.

FOUR! New man Hardik Pandya off the mark with a streaky boundary to third man.

OUT! Iyer gone now. Chops one back on to his stumps. Pradeep ends his misery. India in danger of being bowled out under a 50! 

Shreyas Iyer b Pradeep 9(27)

After 13 overs,India 16/4 ( Shreyas Iyer 9 , MS Dhoni (W) 0)

Lakmal to Pandey. Gets a single. Lankans have two slips and a gully. Next ball to Iyer and he gets an inside edge. One run, but Iyer is finding it really tough out there. Then another wicket. Pandey gets a big edge to first slip. Pandey pushed at it, but was trying to play towards mid-wicket. Time for drinks and time to catch our breath. MS Dhoni comes in. Walks down to the first ball. Hit on he pad. A half-hearted appeal. Two runs and a wicket in that over. Meanwhile here is a dubious distinction — Karthik got out for a duck after playing 18 balls. That is a long, long time to get a duck!

Manish Pandey closes bat face  too soon and is caught off outer edge in slip. Balk went off seam and Manish was all at sea. Terrible performance on a juicy track by all Indian batsmen on view thus far.

OUT! Pandey gone. On a good length. Pandey has his bat face closed. Edged to slips. 

Manish Pandey c Mathews b Lakmal 2(15)

After 12 overs,India 14/3 ( Shreyas Iyer 8 , Manish Pandey 1)

First bowling change. Pradeep comes in. Another seamer. No respite for the Indians. Iyer brings out the drive off the second ball and gets it in the gap between cover and point. Two runs. Caught on the crease and rapped on the pads off the next ball. Appeal. Turned down. Looked to have been missing leg. Ball tracking shows it to be just clipping the top of leg. Would have been umpire’s call had the Lankans reviewed. Good that they did not. The last ball has Iyer in trouble again. Keeps a bit low and Iyer gets squared up. Gets a leading edge. No harm done though. Two runs from that over.

After 11 overs,India 12/3 ( Shreyas Iyer 6 , Manish Pandey 1)

Lakmal to Pandey. Wide to start off but then Pandey is beaten by another beauty. Three slips in place. Pandey gets a leading edge and the ball nearly carries to cover. Just short of the diving fieldsman. The next ball is in that channel of uncertainty again. Pandey draws his bat back. Leaves the next delivery alone. The ball swings wildly after passing the batsman. Well collected by Dickwella. Pandey shoulders arms to the next ball outside off. The last ball has him hopping. Dabbed down. A single is all that the Indians could manage, making painstaking progress.

Indian batsmen facing most balls before departing for a duck in ODIs:

18 – DINESH KARTHIK v Sri Lanka, Dharamsala, 2017*

17 – Eknath Solkar v England, The Oval, 1974 

16 – Woorkeri Raman v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1992 

16 – Sourav Ganguly v Sri Lanka, Colombo (SSC), 2001

After 10 overs,India 12/3 ( Shreyas Iyer 6 , Manish Pandey 1)

Mathews getting an extended spell. Two wides off the second ball. The Lankans are getting the ball to move in all directions. Making the ball talk. Manish Pandey has been flattering to deceive of late. Has truckloads of talent but somehow hasn’t lived up to it. A good innings on such a difficult pitch will go a long way in helping him establish himself in the team. A single off the last ball to mid-wicket. Early call that.

Lowest scores at which India lost their third wicket in a home ODI:

5/3 vs South Africa, Hyderabad, 2005

8/3 vs Sri Lanka, Dharamsala, 2017 *

11/3 vs Australia, Chennai, 2017

Dinesh Karthik’s struggle comes to an end. He was struggling against the moving ball. Lakmal brought ball back off seam to trap him in front. Horrendous start by India. Three wickets down for nothing

After 9 overs,India 8/3 ( Shreyas Iyer 6 , Manish Pandey 0)

Lakmal to Iyer. Bit of width. Slashed by Iyer to third man for one. One of the rare occasions this morning when the Indian batsmen have had to open their shoulders. Karthik shoulders arms on the next ball. Two floating slips in place. And a peach of a delivery! Rising from a good length. Movement off the pitch and good carry to the ‘keeper. Karthik caught on the crease. Play and a miss. This looks a very un-Indian wicket. Karthik looks to give the bowler the charge on the next ball and rush through for a run. Sent back. The next ball comes in and Karthik is hit on the pads. Big appeal. That looks plumb. Karthik looks undecided whether to go for DRS. Looks confused. Decides to review in the end. But has taken too much of time. The umpire sends him away. India in hot soup. Manish Pandey is the new man in and is beaten first ball.

OUT! Karthik rapped on the pads. The ball came in and it looks pretty adjacent to the stumps. Karthik wants to review, but decides against it. In any case they had taken too much of time. India meanwhile are in tatters.   

Karthik lbw b Lakmal 0(18)

Dinesh Karthik and Shreyas Iyer being given a work over by Lanka’s seamers in these conditions. Karthik survives strong lbw appeal off Mathews. Ball did too much although batsman struck in line.

After 8 overs,India 7/2 ( Shreyas Iyer 5 , Dinesh Karthik 0)

Mathews continues. No runs off the first two balls. Iyer then gets the ball away backward of square on the leg side for one, but no timing on it. Gets a big inside edge. Karthik leaves the next ball. Karthik in a tangle on the next ball. The ball swings in, beats Karthik’s bat and raps Karthik on the pad. Looks a great shout. Not out, says the ump. Will they review again? No! Looked like missing leg. One run from that over.

This is only the second time that India have lost first two wickets under 10 runs against Sri Lanka in an ODI played in India. They lost two wickets after scoring four runs at Mumbai in 1997 against Sri Lanka.

It’s all happening at Dharamsala. Ball moving around, bowlers enjoying this spell with new ball. Wickets falling, batsmen beaten often by swing and seam. everything happening except quick runs scored. Lanka have stranglehold on scoring rate.

After 7 overs,India 6/2 ( Shreyas Iyer 4 , Dinesh Karthik 0)

Lakmal to Karthik. The ball comes back sharply and goes through the gap between the bat and pad and whizzes to the ‘keeper. This is hostile bowling from the Lankan pacers. Memories of Eden Gardens coming rushing back. Change of pace on the last delivery. Karthik hangs his bat at it. Misses and the ball bounces on its way to the ‘keeper. Another maiden. We have already had five maiden overs out of seven.

India have lost both their openers in the span of five overs. Credit goes to the Sri Lankan bowlers. It will be important for both Shreyas Iyer and Dinesh Karthik to make this opportunity count. They can afford to take their time and build an innings.

Vicious spells from Lakmal and Mathews, as India are off to a jittery start at Dharamsala. The venue was expected to assist the seamers, and the Lankans have made good use of those conditions so far.  

Fans here are shell shocked after the early dismissals. “Chauka wauka maaro yaar” are the slogans being raised here. 

After 6 overs,India 6/2 ( Shreyas Iyer 4 , Dinesh Karthik 0)

Mathews continues. Iyer defends the first ball and pushes the next. No runs in either. A good-looking on-drive on the third ball. Straight to the fielder. Iyer looking jumpy again. Tries to dab and run. Sent back. Brings up a fine boundary, the first of India’s innings. On-drives hrough mid-wicket. On the pads and the batsman takes full toll. That will release some pressure. India have to see off the first hour, when batting will be a bit tough. The last ball is well left. Four runs from that over.

FOUR! A fine on-drive by Iyer and it is in the gap. Iyer off the mark with a boundary, the first of India’s innings. Big cheer in the stands.

Terrific start by Lanka. Both experienced Indian openers dismissed cheaply. DRS comes to Lanka’s aid both times. India in big trouble after loss of Dhawan, Rohit to moving ball. 2 for 2 a nightmare start to series. Challenge of handling two new balls will be tough in these conditions.

After 5 overs,India 2/2 ( Shreyas Iyer 0 , Dinesh Karthik 0)

Lakmal to Rohit. The first ball is a Jaffa. Lifts up from a length and thuds into he ‘keeper’s gloves. Did Rohit nick it? A huge appeal. The bowler and the fielders seems very confident. Wicket-keeper Dickwella is adamant that the Lankans take a review. They do and there is a spike on the snickometer. Rohit has to depart. A hammer blow for India. Dinesh Karthik is the next man in and gets a beauty to start with. A ball that jagged back sharply and cut the batsman in half. Has him hopping too. A dream delivery. Karthik in all kinds of trouble. The next three overs are safely played away by senior Indian batsman. Another wicket maiden.

Openers gone, India in trouble. Winning toss obviously an advantage, but Lankans have bowled exceedingly well

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 10, 2017

OUT! Disaster for India as Rohit edges to the ‘keeper. Lankans successfully review and retain the review. What a start for them. 

Rohit c Dickwella b Lakmal 2(13)

After 4 overs,India 2/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 2 , Shreyas Iyer 0)

Mathews to Iyer. Oh, that’s close. Iyer rapped on his pads on the first ball, but there was an inside edge and that saved him. Iyer looks jumpy. Dabs one and sets off for a run. That would have been suicidal. Sent back by his captain. Some nerves there from the debutant, and it is expected. Mathews has Iyer in all sorts of discomfort, by having the ball wobble. Iyer is getting squared up. Maiden again.

Mathews strikes. DRS confirms his shout for lbw against Shikhar Dhawan. The southpaw pushed  forward unconvincingly.  Mathews getting ball to wobble around. Declared not out. But DRS overruled umpire’s decision.

After 3 overs,India 2/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 2 , Shreyas Iyer 0)

Lakmal continues. Beats Rohit. Two runs off the fourth ball to mid-wicket and those are the first runs for India, and that’s all that they would get in the over. The Lankans have really applied a chokehold.

This was the third time when Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan’s pair did not add a run while opening the batting for India which is the third most time among all Indian opening pairs. Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly had six such stands.

After 2 overs,India 0/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 0 , )

Angelo Mathews in for the second over of the Lankan innings. The first ball is chopped onto the ground by Dhawan. Mathews will be bowling gentle seam-up deliveries, which will be a bit uncomfortable for the big Indian stroke-makers, who want the ball to come on to the bat. The second ball shapes away from Dhawan. Beats the outside edge. After two deliveries quietly played away, another play and a miss from Dhawan. The last ball raps Dhawan on the pads. Big appeal turned down. The Lankans take the review early. And they are bang on. The delivery came in and ball tracking shows the ball to have hit the top of the stumps. Dhawan gone for a duck. India lose their first wicket without a run on the board.

OUT! Sri Lanka draw first blood. Dhawan adjudged leg before the wicket after a review for a nought. Great start for the visitors. 

Dhawan lbw b Mathews 0(6)

The experienced all-rounder Angelo Mathews who didn’t bowl in the Tests opening the bowling here. The medium pacer is highly skilled in getting the ball to dart around.

Good first ball for Rohit Sharma. Nearly got him lbw. Great first delivery by Lakmal. Rohit playing from the crease without positive footwork almost trapped in front.

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

Rohit takes guard first. Lakmal has the new ball. Starts with a good length delivery, Rohit jabs at it, nearly carries to second slip. The next two balls are quietly played away. Rohit shoulders arms on the fourth. And on the fifth. Watchful from the Indian captain. The last ball is solidly defended off the front foot. Eventless over. Maiden.

Shikhar Dhawan’s batting average of 67.91 against Sri Lanka is the second highest for any player among players who have scored at least 500 runs against them in ODIs till date.

The Lankan fielders make their way out to the field, and there come the Indian openers, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.

The players are coming out on to the field and we are in all readiness for the national anthem. Beautiful setting, beautiful tunes.

India vs Sri Lanka: Dinesh Karthik needs to grab his chance and solve Men in Blue’s No 4 problem in ODIshttp://www.firstpost.com

This is the view that I have before me; watching a game of cricket certainly cannot get any better than this. 

The fans here will be happy about seeing their favourite side bat first, and hopefully set a big target on the board. We have Shreyas Iyer who is all set to make his ODI debut today. 

Ajinkya Rahane is not playing today despite scoring four fifty-plus scores in his last four ODIs. His Test form affected his chances and helped Shreyas Iyer to make his ODI debut.

Best of luck Shreyas Iyer, making debut in place of @imVkohli. Big, very big boots to fill...

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 10, 2017

Rohit Sharma becomes the 24th player to lead India in ODIs while Thisara Perera becomes the 22nd player to lead Sri Lanka in ODis.

Shreyas Iyer becomes the 219th player to play for India in ODIs.

Sri Lanka XI: Thisara Perera (c), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Danushka Gunathilaka, Asela Gunaratne, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Akila Dananjaya, Sachith Pathirana

Rohit Sharma played 171 ODIs before leading India which is the second most by a player before leading India. Anil Kumble played 217 ODIs before leading India which is a record.

That was really funny. New Sri Lanka skipper Perera couldn’t call out his team. Couldn’t recall names of his team members at the toss when TV presenter asked him of playing XI.

India XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma (c), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (wk), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Shreyas Iyer to bat at number three. But it still remains to be seen who will bat two down: Manish or Dinesh? India have also opted for two wrist spinners in Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. 

Toss time - The visitors have won the toss and will bowl first #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/Xg6uj88x6M

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 10, 2017

India vs Sri Lanka: Missing Dinesh Chandimal, Lasith Malinga, visitors face challenge to stay competitive in Dharamsala ODIhttp://www.firstpost.com

Sri Lanka have won the toss and surprise, surprise! They have elected to bowl. Perera says it looks like a good batting track and they want to chase. Rohit says it is a good toss to lose.

Pitch report: There is a little green patch on the wicket. There is some moisture on the pitch and but would evaporate quickly given it is a 11.30 start. The ball will come on to the bat nicely. The new ball bowlers will get some purchase in the first hour and then the pitch will ease out. It is a pitch where you will be able to play through the line later in the day, feels Sunil Gavaskar. Bat first, get 275 and you will in all probability win the game, reckons Russell Arnold.

Sri Lanka have a completely overhauled side for the ODIs.  A majority of the players was not part of the Test series. They’ve even changed the skipper. This is a tough, seasoned side alright. Much better than their Test team for sure. Remains to be seen how the new players, who have just landed from steaming hot and humid Sri Lanka, handle the cold and high altitude of Dharamsala. Interestingly India too have quite a few changes. The return of Hardik Pandya will be keenly followed. The top order will be under extra pressure to compensate for the absence of master chaser Kohli. Would the team go with an out-of-form Ajinkya Rahane? Will medium pacer Siddharth Kaul who is used to bowling on north Indian pitches get a break?  We’ll know at the toss.

Shreyas Iyer set to make his debut. Gets his cap from MS Dhoni. (Video courtesy:BCCI)

BIG moment this for young Shreyas Iyer who is all set to make his ODI debut #TeamIndia #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/YtsdskcUiJ

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 10, 2017

India vs Sri Lanka ODI stats preview: From hosts’ virtual invincibility in their backyard to visitors’ wretched form of latehttp://www.firstpost.com

The numbers certainly are starting to swell around the HPCA stadium right now. 

Kohli the batsman will be missed more. He was absolutely brilliant and remarkably consistent even in ODIs. He gave the innings the impetus  at the top with his aggressive batsmanship and running between the wickets. There is absolutely no doubt that his intensity will be missed. But then he deserved the rest after carrying the flag with so much of passion and sincerity.

Whoever takes his spot in the batting line-up will have very big shoes to fill!

It would a study in contrast, the leadership styles of Virat Kohli and the new ODI skipper Rohit Sharma. Kohli made no bones of his displeasure at his players’ misfielding, half-hearted attempts in the outfield and poor throws. He was aggressive and wore his emotions on his sleeve.

Rohit would be a lot more sober and restrained on the field. Also, Kohli left the tweaking of the field to wicket-keeper MS Dhoni, while he himself preferred to field in the deep where his fleet-footedness and throwing in limited overs cricket were an asset. Rohit would be in the inner-circle, leaving the running and throwing to the likes of Hardik Pandya, Manish Pandey. But leadership on the field could be a collaborative one, with Dhoni and possibly Rahane and Dhawan being consulted.

The early start (11.30 a.m.) for a day-night match is taking into account the onset of winter in north India as also the fear that dew on the outfield could play havoc with the fortunes of the team bowling second. Hopefully, the early start and early finish would minimise the effect of dew and make it an even contest.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the first ODI of the series between India and Sri Lanka in Dharamsala. India have been in roaring form, having won seven bilateral ODI series on the trot, which includes a 5-0 whitewash of the Sri Lankans in their own backyard only a few months back. An indication of India’s dominance can be had from the fact that the last time they lost a bilateral ODI series, it was way back in early 2016, against Australia.

Talking about Sri Lanka’s record against India in India, it leaves a lot to be desired. The islanders have never won a bilateral series in India, while losing eight, and they have not won more than one match in any bilateral series in India. Can they do better in Dharamsala? Not if India can help it. The home team, though, would miss their talisman Virat Kohli, who has earned a well-deserved rest ahead of the big South Africa series.

Watch this space for real time scores, updates, opinion and analysis right at your fingertips from what promises to be a cracker of a contest. One only hopes that the rain stays away.