Highlights, India vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI at Colombo, Full Cricket Score: Fernando shines as hosts win by three wickets

Shikhar Dhawan, India captain: It didn’t go our way. We tried newcomers in today’s match. We got a good start, but lost too many wickets in the middle, and that cost us 50 runs. I’m glad that they made their but, because every one has been in quarantine for so long. Everyone is quite happy. I’m okay with that. Of course I always analyse where I can improve. I’m looking forward to the T20 series. Of course we were positive that we could defend the target. I’m proud of the fight the boys showed. We’re going to get better in the coming matches.

Suryakumar Yadav, fittest player of the series: I have been doing same things from last 2-3 years, nothing different and that success mantra is working for me. I would have loved to score big in the last two years but that’s how you learn. The atmosphere in the camp is really positive and really looking forward to the T20 series.

Avishka Fernando, Man of the Match: If we had done well in the second match and had we won that match, we would have won the series. Happy to get the Man of the Match. After the England tour, I worked on my batting and some technique that helped me. It’s a very young side, going forward we will do well with this side.

Dasun Shanaka, Sr Lanka captain: Congratulations to India for wrapping up the series. It was a very good series throughout. Actually bowlers they should lot of character and maturity. That’s what I expect from youngsters at this level. I hope they will continue good form in the future as well. Guys not enough matured, that’s why they need to play more consistent cricket in international arena. It’s a very big win for fans. They were waiting for many years for this win. It’s a very good win. I should thank all my players, staff, they worked very hard, and to the fans. Actually I enjoy it on the ground but not off the ground.

After 39 overs,Sri Lanka 227/7 ( Ramesh Mendis 15 , Akila Dananjaya 5)

Dhawan appears to have collected a blinder in the slips at the start of Chahar’s final over, but the ball’s deflected off Mendis’ thigh, Dharmasena spotting it early and shaking his head. Was an excellent delivery from the young leggie nevertheless. Mandis collects a single off the second ball, and Karunaratne — who had smashed an unbeaten 44 in the previous game — is stumped thanks to some swift glove work by Samson two balls later. New batsman Dananjaya though, swats the ball through extra cover for a boundary — which is also a no-ball — and collects a single in the free hit.

Asalanka then collects a single with a sweep, as Sri Lanka win by three wickets to collect some vital World Cup Super League points. India, win the three-match ODI series 2-1!

FOUR! Chahar sets an attacking field to try and put Dananjaya under pressure, and the batsman responds with a well-timed drive through the extra cover region! What’s more, it’s a no ball! SL 225/7; need 2 to win

OUT! Chahar adds a third to the wickets column on ODI debut as Karunaratne’s stumped after getting beaten on the outside edge, with Samson whipping the bails off in a flash. SL 220/7

Karunaratne st Samson b Chahar 3(10)

After 38 overs,Sri Lanka 219/6 ( Ramesh Mendis 13 , Chamika Karunaratne 3)

Tidy over from Sakariya has he gives away just two from his eighth over, with Karunaratne pulling a short ball behind square off the fourth delivery. Sri Lanka a couple of hits away from a win now.

After 37 overs,Sri Lanka 217/6 ( Ramesh Mendis 13 , Chamika Karunaratne 1)

Quality penultimate over from Chahar as Shaw finally holds on to a chance at slip to end Fernando’s excellent innings that might just bag him the Player of the Match award today. Four runs and a wicket from the over, with Sri Lanka needing 10 more runs from 60 balls.

OUT! Fernando’s innings finally comes to an end as Shaw holds on to the chance this time at slip to give Chahar his second wicket of the day. SL 214/6

Fernando c Shaw b Chahar 76(98)

After 36 overs,Sri Lanka 213/5 ( Avishka Fernando 76 , Ramesh Mendis 10)

Sakariya returns to the attack with the game pretty much out of India’s grasp by now. A single each to Fernando and Mendis, the latter moving to double figures. Just 15 left for SL to win from 11 overs

After 35 overs,Sri Lanka 211/5 ( Avishka Fernando 75 , Ramesh Mendis 9)

Chahar induces another edge off Mendis’ bat, but this time the ball flies wide of the slip cordon and allows him a double. Mendis responds with a well-timed sweep behind square next ball to collect a boundary. Good over for the hosts with eight coming off it. Sri Lanka are left with just 16 to chase from 12 overs. Fernando should finish this in a canter alongside Mendis.

FOUR! Excellent response from an under-pressure Mendis, as he sweeps the full delivery from Chahar behind square to collect his first boundary. SL 209/5

After 34 overs,Sri Lanka 203/5 ( Avishka Fernando 74 , Ramesh Mendis 2)

Hardik starts off with a dot, followed by a single off each of the next three, before the all-rounder errs in his line, bowling a back-of-length delivery down leg which brushes Mendis’ thigh and runs past the keeper for four byes. Single to Mendis as he keeps the strike. Sri Lanka need 24 off 78.

After 33 overs,Sri Lanka 195/5 ( Avishka Fernando 72 , Ramesh Mendis 0)

Superb over from Chahar to keep the faintest of hopes for an Indian victory alive, as he gets rid of Dasun Shanaka for a golden duck, and nearly makes it two-in-two as Shaw puts down a tough chance at gully after an outside edge off Ramesh Mendis’ bat. Just one run and a wicket from Chahar’s seventh. Sri Lanka need 32 from 84.

OUT! Tame dismissal for the Sri Lanka captain, chipping the ball towards extra cover as Rahul Chahar collects his maiden ODI wicket. Fine catch by Pandey, who put in a dive to complete the dismissal. Is there a twist in the tale? SL 195/5

Shanaka c Pandey b Chahar 0(1)

After 32 overs,Sri Lanka 194/4 ( Avishka Fernando 71 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 0)

Asalanka drives the ball through the packed off side cordon with finesse off the second delivery to move into the 20s, with the over progressively getting worse for Pandya as he concedes five wides three balls later. Asalanka though, doesn’t last the over as he is trapped LBW off the last delivery, giving Hardik some respite after a tough day in office. Sri Lanka still are in charge at the moment though, needing only 33 to win from 15 overs with six wickets in hand and a lower order that has been contributing vital runs in the last two games.

OUT! A wicket for Hardik Pandya at last after a tough day in the office, as he traps Asalanka with a yorker-length delivery, with umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge taking his time to raise his finger. Asalanka goes for the review, and ends up burning it after three reds. SL 194/4

Asalanka LBW H Pandya 24(28)

FOUR! Asalanka, who has been in good touch this series and looks likely to finish the game for his side today, works this through the cover point region with a lovely drive. SL 187/3

After 31 overs,Sri Lanka 182/3 ( Avishka Fernando 69 , Charith Asalanka 19)

DROPPED! Pandey puts down a tough chance at midwicket after Fernando steps down the track and flicks it hard in his direction. His dismissal could’ve been a turning point for the visitors. Instead Asalanka collects a boundary off the penultimate delivery to rub salt on the wounds. Seven from the over. Less than 50 needed for the Lankans now.

FOUR! Excellent work by Asalanka as he rocks back and slashes the ball behind square, threading the gap between backward point and short third man. SL 182/3

After 30 overs,Sri Lanka 175/3 ( Avishka Fernando 68 , Charith Asalanka 13)

Pandya, who has had quite the off day with the ball with 23 runs from two overs, replaces Saini. Starts off with a wide, but is more disciplined thereafter he gives away three more runs, including a double to Asalanka off the second delivery. Sri Lanka need 53 to win from 17 overs at a little over three-an-over.

After 29 overs,Sri Lanka 171/3 ( Avishka Fernando 67 , Charith Asalanka 11)

Gowtham, replacing Sakariya, ends up leaking a boundary off the last delivery of what was otherwise turning out to be an excellent seventh over, with seven coming from it. Drinks taken at the end of this over with Sri Lanka needing another 56 from 18 overs.

FOUR! Slightly short from Gowtham and outside off, Asalanka guides this behind square, with the ball racing away to the vacant third man fence. Saini gives the ball a chase, but is unable to catch up. IND 171/3

After 28 overs,Sri Lanka 164/3 ( Avishka Fernando 65 , Charith Asalanka 6)

Asalanka flicks the ball towards square leg off the third delivery of Saini’s fifth, the only runs collected in the over. India, meanwhile, have built up some pressure with the lack of boundaries following the dismissals, though they cannot afford to play the waiting game for long if they are to end up victors today. Sri Lanka need 64 from 19.

After 27 overs,Sri Lanka 162/3 ( Avishka Fernando 65 , Charith Asalanka 4)

Sakariya keeps the damage caused by back-to-back front-foot no balls in this over, restricting the two batsmen to singles as eight runs are collected from his sixth. Fernando, meanwhile, is batting cautiously at the moment as he goes into rebuilding mode alongside Asalanka. SL need 66 from 20 overs.

After 26 overs,Sri Lanka 154/3 ( Avishka Fernando 62 , Charith Asalanka 1)

Saini replaces Chahar, and we have pace from both ends again. Meanwhile, Asalanka joins Fernando, who’s crucial to Lanka at this stage of vulnerability. Saini starts off with a dot followed by a single off each of the next three as Asalanka gets off the mark. Fernando survives a run-out scare in the fifth delivery after being sent back from the halfway mark, the throw from the covers missing the non-striker’s stumps. Three from the over.

After 25 overs,Sri Lanka 151/3 ( Avishka Fernando 60 , Charith Asalanka 0)

Sakariya continues to impress with the ball and keep the Indians in the hunt in the series finale as he surprises de Silva new batsman De Silva with extra bounce, the latter lobbing the ball over to offer the Rajasthan Royals bowler a simple return catch for his second wicket. Just two runs from the over along with the wicket. Sri Lanka need 77 to win from 22 overs with seven wickets in hand.

OUT! One wicket leads to another for Sakariya, as India suddenly are back in the game with two quick dismissals! The short ball takes De Silva by surprise after kicking up unexpectedly, and the Sri Lankan No 4 ends up lobbing it off his glove to offer Sakariya the simplest of return catches. SL 151/3

De Silva c and b Sakariya 2(9)

After 24 overs,Sri Lanka 149/2 ( Avishka Fernando 59 , Dhananjaya de Silva 2)

Chahar returns as the Indians hope to build pressure on the hosts after Rajapaksa’s dismissal in the last delivery of the previous over. Barring a no-ball in the fifth ball in which Chahar oversteps by the barest of margins, he keeps things tidy, giving away five from his sixth over.

After 23 overs,Sri Lanka 144/2 ( Avishka Fernando 57 , Dhananjaya de Silva 0)

Rana spills a sitter at deep square leg off the penultimate delivery of Sakariya’s fourth over, the ball bursting out his hands and going for a four after a miscued pull by Rajapaksa. Sakariya though, doesn’t have to wait long for his maiden international wicket as the batsman holes out to Gowtham, who pulls off a fine sliding catch at fine leg, as the Indians finally break the second-wicket stand. SL need 84 from 24 overs.

OUT! Sakariya finally has his maiden international wicket as Gowtham makes up for Rana’s spill in the previous delivery. Superb effort from the off-spinner as he puts in a slide near long leg after Rajapaksa pulls another back-of-length ball. End of a fine partnership for the second wicket, which certainly has put the Sri Lankans in a winning position. SL 144/2

Rajapaksa c Gowtham b Sakariya 65(56)

FOUR! Rana drops a sitter at deep square leg, and looks like he’s dropped the game as well! Rajapaksa pulls a back-of-length ball from Sakariya, but doesn’t quite get the distance to clear the rope. The ball lands inside the rope after bursting through Rana’s palms. SL 144/1

After 22 overs,Sri Lanka 138/1 ( Avishka Fernando 57 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 59)

The century stand is up between Fernando and Rajapaksa in this over, the latter going for a late cut off the fourth ball, the pair consuming 99 deliveries to bring up the milestone. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankans need less than 100 to win now (90 from 25 overs), and it’s starting to look like a cakewalk at the moment. If the Indians are to inflict a 3-0 sweep in the series, they have to break the partnership now and hope to trigger a batting collapse thereafter.

FOUR! Deftly played by Rajapaksa, going for the late cut towards third man to bring up the century stand with Fernando for the second wicket! SL 137/1

After 21 overs,Sri Lanka 132/1 ( Avishka Fernando 56 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 54)

Chetan Sakariya brought back with the spin-from-both-ends approach hardly helping the Indian cause at the moment. Fernando collects a single off the second delivery before Rajapaksa hooks a short ball in the fourth delivery, directing it towards the fine leg fence. Five from the over.

FOUR! Sakariya digs this one short, and Rajapaksa responds with a hook that directs the ball towards fine leg. SL 132/1

After 20 overs,Sri Lanka 127/1 ( Avishka Fernando 55 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 50)

10 runs from Chahar’s fifth over, including back-to-back fours collected by Rajapaksa that brings up his maiden ODI half-century off just 42 deliveries. Both batsmen in supreme touch at the moment, and will be hoping to end the game by themselves.

FOUR! Bhanuka Rajapaksa brings up his maiden ODI half-century with back-to-back boundaries, the second one coming off a reverse-sweep, with the ball scurrying away towards the backward point fence. SL 127/1

FOUR! Slog sweep by Rajapaksa, and Sakariya nearly pulls off a blinder of a catch while running to his right at deep midwicket. Unfortunately for him though, the ball bounces out of his palms and goes for a four. SL 123/1

After 19 overs,Sri Lanka 117/1 ( Avishka Fernando 54 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 41)

Fernando and Rajapaksa keep the scoreboard ticking with four singles and a brace off the fourth ball as Gowtham pulls the ball back inside near deep midwicket after a slog sweep by Rajapaksa. Dot off the last delivery, with six coming from the over.

After 18 overs,Sri Lanka 111/1 ( Avishka Fernando 52 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 37)

Chahar continues, with Rajapaksa adding yet another boundary against his name as he charges down the track against the leggie and lofts the ball down the ground. Seven from the over. The partnership between the two, meanwhile, is above run-a-ball (76 from 75), the pace keeping the hosts in the driver’s seat.

FOUR! Rajapaksa continues to make merry against the Indians, coming down the track and going for an inside out loft towards long off. SL 109/1

After 17 overs,Sri Lanka 104/1 ( Avishka Fernando 50 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 32)

Just three singles from Rana’s second over of the day as Fernando brings up his fifth ODI half-century off 53 deliveries, his second on the trot. Sri Lanka need another 124 to win from 30 overs.

Fifty up for Avishka Fernando off 53 deliveries! The fifth half-century for the right-hander in his 23rd ODI appearance, and his second on the trot. SL 104/1

After 16 overs,Sri Lanka 101/1 ( Avishka Fernando 48 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 31)

Rahul Chahar, who’s been decent in the two overs he’s bowled before this over, brought in place of Gowtham after drinks, conceding nine off his third including four byes off the third delivery as the ball beats everything on its way and leaves Samson rather disappointed with himself. The Lankans move past the 100-mark at the end of this over, the second-wicket pair looking quite settled at the moment.

After 15 overs,Sri Lanka 92/1 ( Avishka Fernando 46 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 28)

Nitish Rana, one of the five debutants today, is brought in place of Hardik Pandya, who has been having a rather off series so far both with bat and ball. Gives away just one single in his first over, with the umpire calling drinks on the field at the end of the 15th. Sri Lanka need another 135 to win from 32 overs with nine wickets in hand.

After 14 overs,Sri Lanka 91/1 ( Avishka Fernando 45 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 28)

Gowtham goes for 10 in his fifth over, with Fernando collecting a boundary off the second delivery to bring up the fifty stand with Rajapaksa, a partnership that could very well become a match-winning one unless India get a couple of wickets at this stage. Fernando’s closing in on his fifty now.

FOUR! Fifty partnership up between Fernando and Rajapaksa for the second wicket, the former bringing up the milestone with a boundary off Gowtham, playing this late to work it past the keeper towards third man. SL 87/1

After 13 overs,Sri Lanka 81/1 ( Avishka Fernando 38 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 28)

Pandya unfortunately continues to leak runs as Rajapaksa hits him for two boundaries in his second, the first a lucky one as an inside edge flies wide of the keeper while the second one’s a luscious cover drive that the Indian fielders have little answer for. 10 from the over.

FOUR! Lovely cover drive by Rajapaksa to end the over. Sakariya puts in a brave dive in the deep, but can’t stop it. SL 81/1

FOUR! Streaky boundary for Rajapaksa as an inside edge flies wide of the diving Samson behind the stumps. Good delivery from Hardik that unfortunately doesn’t go his way. SL 76/1

After 12 overs,Sri Lanka 71/1 ( Avishka Fernando 37 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 20)

Massive appeal for LBW by Gowtham and the other Indians standing close by, Rajapaksa the batsman in question, but they ultimately decide against going for the review after it is turned down. Looked high at the time of hitting the pad. Testing over from Gowtham, with three singles coming from it.

After 11 overs,Sri Lanka 68/1 ( Avishka Fernando 35 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 19)

Expensive start for Hardik Pandya, who replaces Saini as the seam option from one end, as he leaks 13 from his first over of the day, including a boundary off each of the last two balls. Rajapaksa, meanwhile, has caught up nicely after a slow start.

FOUR! Snorter from Pandya, it appears Rajapaksa gets a bit of glove while attempting to hook this, the ball as a result sailing over the keeper’s head and beating the fielder putting in a slide at third man. SL 68/1

FOUR! Short from Hardik, Rajapaksa shapes nicely and goes for the Nataraj Shot, working the ball towards deep midwicket. SL 64/1

After 10 overs,Sri Lanka 55/1 ( Avishka Fernando 32 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 9)

Five off the last over of the first powerplay, including a boundary to Rajapaksa — who’s looking increasingly confident with each stroke — off the second ball through point. Decent start for the Lankans in their chase of the modest total, though India at the same stage were 66/1, and looked destined for a total in the range of 300 at the very least. Sri Lanka need another 172 to win from 37 overs.

FOUR! Rajapaksa leans back and cuts the ball hard, beating the fielder diving to his right at point. SL 55/1

After 9 overs,Sri Lanka 50/1 ( Avishka Fernando 31 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 5)

Saini, who has been expensive in the two overs he’s bowled so far, returns to the attack. Fernando works the ball behind square at the start of the over, followed by a single three balls later. Rajapaksa then collects his first boundary off the penultimate delivery. Seven from the over. The hosts cross fifty in this over.

FOUR! Rajapaksa slaps a back-of-length ball down the ground, the ball running through between mid off and mid on and racing away thereafter. Brings up the fifty for the hosts. SL 50/1

After 8 overs,Sri Lanka 43/1 ( Avishka Fernando 28 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 1)

Another tidy over from Gowtham with just three singles coming from it. Fernando, meanwhile, is already touching 30 with a strike rate above 100 at the moment, and will be setting his sights on the milestone.

After 7 overs,Sri Lanka 40/1 ( Avishka Fernando 26 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 0)

Five off Chahar’s second over, including a boundary to Fernando, who’s looking real good so far in the chase, off the first delivery followed by a single. Rajapaksa, meanwhile, is yet to get off the mark after six deliveries.

FOUR! Commanding drive through the covers by Fernando off Chahar! SL 39/1

After 6 overs,Sri Lanka 35/1 ( Avishka Fernando 21 , Bhanuka Rajapaksa 0)

Off-spinner Krishnappa Gowtham introduced into attack from the other end and he’s off to a rather poor start, conceding a boundary off the first followed by five wides. The Karnataka spinner, who currently plays for Punjab Kings, makes up for the shaky start by getting rid of Bhanuka off the third delivery. Rajapaksa defends the last three balls of the over. 10 runs and a wicket from the over.

OUT! Gowtham draws first blood as Bhanuka sweeps straight into Sakariya’s hands at square leg. First international wicket for the Karnataka bowler! SL 35/1
 

Bhanuka c Sakariya b Gowtham 7(17)

FOUR! Gowtham starts off with a shorter delivery that is promptly pulled behind square by Fernando for a boundary. SL 29/0

After 5 overs,Sri Lanka 25/0 ( Avishka Fernando 16 , Minod Bhanuka (W) 7)

Spin introduced in the first powerplay as Dhawan brings Rahul Chahar into the attack, hoping to have the same effect as Hasaranga did at the same stage in the second ODI. The leg-spinner starts off with just a single from his first over.

After 4 overs,Sri Lanka 24/0 ( Avishka Fernando 15 , Minod Bhanuka (W) 7)

Was turning out to be a good over from Sakariya until Bhanuka somewhat ruined it with a lovely lofted drive over the bowler’s head off the penultimate ball to collect his first boundary. Four from the over.

FOUR! Full from Sakariya, and Bhanuka smacks this over the bowler’s head to collect his first boundary! SL 24/0

After 3 overs,Sri Lanka 20/0 ( Avishka Fernando 15 , Minod Bhanuka (W) 3)

Poor start for Saini in this over as he strays down the leg side, with Fernando swivelling around to guide the ball over fine leg for the first maximum of the innings. Three runs collected off the penultimate delivery after Fernando drives the ball towards sweeper cover, with Pandey giving the ball a chase and cutting it off in the last second. Bhanuka collects a single off the last delivery to keep the strike. 10 from the over. Positive so far from the Lankans.

SIX! Plenty of pace on offer from Saini and going down leg, all Fernando has to do is to redirect it with a bit of timing, which he does as the ball sails over fine leg. SL 16/0

After 2 overs,Sri Lanka 10/0 ( Avishka Fernando 6 , Minod Bhanuka (W) 2)

Debutant Chetan Sakariya bowls from the other end. The Rajasthan Royals seamer, who is playing his first international game today, concedes a boundary to Fernando off the second ball after giving him ample room outside off, followed by a single two balls later.

FOUR! Sakariya offers Fernando width, and the latter responds by cutting it through cover. SL 9/0

After 1 over,Sri Lanka 5/0 ( Avishka Fernando 1 , Minod Bhanuka (W) 2)

Tidy over to begin the chase as both Fernando and Bhanuka open their accounts with singles. Leading edge off Bhanuka’s bat off the third delivery, only for the ball to land safely near the cover region and allow the batsman a brace. No ball called for height in the fifth delivery, followed by a wide as the free hit continues, followed by a dot as Bhanuka pulls towards the fielder at mid on. Swing and a miss off the last delivery. Five from the over.

We’re back with the Sri Lankan chase, and the hosts certainly have the best chance of ending their nine-year winless run against the Indians at home today. Minod Bhanuka and Avishka Fernando open as usual, with Navdeep Saini bowling the first over.

A very good bowling performance from Sri Lanka. India were off to a brisk start but the Lankan spinners pulled things back with wickets at regular intervals. The Indian batsmen got starts but couldn’t convert them. Shaw scored 49, Samson 46, Suryakumar Yadav 40. Dananjaya and Jayawickrama were brilliant with their pace variarions and purchased some turn as well. Shanaka played a good support role by choking the run flow with his disciplined bowling. Chahar and Saini then added crucial 29 runs at the death to drag India past 200 and to 225. It’s a below par total and India will need to up the ante in the field to defend this total.

OUT! India all out for 225! It’s that stinging bouncer from Chameera. Saini stays in the crease and looks to fend but the pace does the trick for Chameera and the ball balloons off the shoulder of the bat to the off side. The backward point fielder charges in and takes a simple catch.

After 43 overs,India 225/9 ( Navdeep Saini 15 , Chetan Sakariya 0)

Chahar looked to flash at one slightly wide off the first ball but missed. He then missed his flick and got a leg bye as a stifled appeal was turned down. Navdeep then pushed one to the off side for a single. Karunaratne then changed his length and went short and got the wicket of Chahar. The next two balls yielded just a single. 3 runs and a wicket off it.

Chetan Sakariya is the next man in…

OUT! Karunaratne finally provides the breakthrough. It’s a short delivery outside off, Chahar goes for a pull but is late into the shot and gets a top edge high in the air. There are three people converging but Karunaratne wants it himself, he calls for it and pouches a decent catch. Crucial 13 runs from Chahar.

Karunaratne continues…

After 42 overs,India 222/8 ( Rahul Chahar 13 , Navdeep Saini 13)

An over mixed with short balls, yorkers and low full toss from Chameera. India could garner just a single in that over.

After 41 overs,India 221/8 ( Rahul Chahar 12 , Navdeep Saini 13)

Saini starts off with a couple of runs as he looks to loft one over mid off but doesn’t get if off the middle and it loops over the fielder. Karunaratne responds by darting in a couple of short deliveries and then one on the length on the stumps. All dot balls. He responds with three more bouncers, one fended off by Saini, one was called a wide and one was left alone. 3 runs off the over. This is a crucial little partnership from Saini and Chahar. They might want to push for 250-260 from here on.

Karunaratne into the attack now…

After 40 overs,India 218/8 ( Rahul Chahar 12 , Navdeep Saini 11)

A few crucial runs in that over. There was an appeal for a run out off the first ball, it was largely due to some lazy running from Chahar who casually completed the single and there was a direct hit. Replays showed he was just in and the overthrow allowed India an extra two runs. Saini then drove one through covers for a couple. Chameera followed it up with a bouncer and a yorker. Both dots. Saini then fended a short one to the leg side for a single to take it to 6 runs off the over. Another bouncer to end the over, hit Chahar on the body as he looked to turn it to the leg side. It was a painful blow but Chahar seems alright.

Chameera back into the attack now….

After 39 overs,India 212/8 ( Rahul Chahar 9 , Navdeep Saini 8)

Dananjaya finishes with a brilliant spell of 9-0-44-3. Just Three single off the over. Saini and Chahar have been looking to take singles and play the spinners late off the back foot. Chahar was late onto the last ball and got an outside edge along the ground to the off side for a single.

Dananjaya continues…

After 38 overs,India 209/8 ( Rahul Chahar 7 , Navdeep Saini 7)

Another disciplined over from Jayawickrama. Giving away just three singles in the over. Chahar and Saini have been largely cautious and sensible with their approach.

After 37 overs,India 206/8 ( Rahul Chahar 5 , Navdeep Saini 6)

Dananjaya might have had another wicket in that over. There was a brilliant diving effort but the fielder couldn’t hold on to the catch. It was short and Saini went for a pull, got a top edge and the fielder from the deep charged from deep mid-wicket, dived full length but couldn’t hold on to the ball. India just trudging along. Trying to garner as many runs as possible. Four runs off the over.

After 36 overs,India 202/8 ( Rahul Chahar 4 , Navdeep Saini 3)

Two slips in place for Jayawickrama in that over. Another intriguing one from the Sri Lankan spinner. Just three runs off it. He didn’t start off well with a wide but then corrected his lines and bowled a disciplined over.

Jayawickrama back into the attack…

After 35 overs,India 199/8 ( Rahul Chahar 3 , Navdeep Saini 2)

Dananjaya with another brilliant over. Keeping the batsmen on the edge. Beat Chahar’s outside edge with a beautiful leg spinner in that over. And gave away just a single.

After 34 overs,India 198/8 ( Rahul Chahar 2 , Navdeep Saini 2)

Saini and Chahar will look to take this as deep as possible. They were cautious in that over and garnered a single and a two. In between, there were four dots. Shanaka has played a great support act with his disciplined bowling.

Shanaka continues…

After 33 overs,India 195/8 ( Rahul Chahar 1 , Navdeep Saini 0)

A brilliant over for Sri Lanka. Dananjaya has been foxing the batsmen with his spin variations. Off spin, leg spin, leg spin, off spin. It’s all confusing for the batsmen. He gets the wicket of Gowtham with his leg spin which was a full toss and then removed the left-hander Rana with an off spinner. Just three runs and two wickets in the over.

OUT! Dananjaya has two in the over. Brilliant bowling. It’s flighted on middle. This time it’s an offspinner on middle. It’s full and Rana looks to go inside out with his drive, it spins away and catches his outside edge. The keeper pouches a good catch and the Sri Lankans set off in celebrations.

Rahul Chahar is the new batsman.

OUT! Dananjaya gets another one. Gowtham departs. It’s the leg spinner tossed up on middle. Gowtham looks to paddle it but misses it completely. It hits Gowtham on the full and the umpire lifts his finger straightaway on the appeal. Gowtham, for some unfathomable reasons, opts to review. And replays show he was caught plumb in front. What a turnaround for Sri Lanka after the rain break.

After 32 overs,India 192/6 ( Nitish Rana 6 , Krishnappa Gowtham 1)

Shanaka bowls another economical over. He varied his pace and in between darted in a fast bouncer as well which was ducked awakwardly by Rana. Just two runs off the over.

After 31 overs,India 190/6 ( Nitish Rana 5 , Krishnappa Gowtham 0)

A successful over for Sri Lanka. The spinners have bowled well and created doubts in the minds of Indian batsmen with pace variations. They have been purchasing some turn as well. Dananjaya got the massive wicket of Suryakumar in that over and gave away just three runs. India are in some trouble at 190/6.

OUT! HUGE blow for India. Suryakumar departs. Sri Lanka review successfully again. It’s tossed up outside off and spins back in sharply. Suryakumar Yadav is caught in two minds and brings his bat down late to defend. It hits his pad first and then bat. The umpire turns down the appeal but Sri Lanka review and replays show three reds. The Sri Lankans are elated.

After 30 overs,India 187/5 ( Suryakumar Yadav 39 , Nitish Rana 3)

Shanaka has bowled well and his pace variations have been effective in stemming the flow of runs. He again bowls an economical over where he gives away just three singles. Going at under five an over with figures of 6-0-28-1

Shanaka continues…

After 29 overs,India 184/5 ( Suryakumar Yadav 38 , Nitish Rana 1)

Jayawickrama has been pretty good with his pace variations and getting a hint of turn as well. He bowled another beautiful over. After three dot balls to Pandya, Jayawickrama bowled a beauty to dismiss Pandya. He almost enticed Suryakumar into a false shot but a thick outside edge flew over backward point for a streaky four. Five runs and a wicket off the over.

FOUR! Streaky, it’s full and flighted outside off, Suryakumar goes for a booming drive but gets an outside edge through backward point for a four.

Debutant Nitish Rana strides out to the middle.

OUT! Sri Lanka review successfully. India have lost Hardik Pandya. It’s that flighted one again from Jayawickrama. It pitches on middle and turns away. Squares up Pandya who looks to defend. He misses and is hit on the back leg. The umpire doesn’t move on the LBW appeal. Sri Lanka opt for a review and replays show three reds. It was hitting off. Beautiful bowling.

After 28 overs,India 179/4 ( Suryakumar Yadav 34 , Hardik Pandya 19)

Shanaka with a decent over there. There was an LBW shout to start off the over but it was heading well down leg and there might have been an inside edge as well. The next five deliveries yield three dots and two singles to make it three runs off the over.

After 27 overs,India 176/4 ( Suryakumar Yadav 33 , Hardik Pandya 17)

The runs have come along at a brisk rate even after Manish Pandey’s departure. Pandya paddles one fine for four and four more singles in the Jayawickrama over makes it 8 off the over. Sri Lanka need to pull things back and restrict the scoring.

FOUR! On the pads from Jayawaickrama, Pandya paddles it fine and it races away.

After 26 overs,India 168/4 ( Suryakumar Yadav 31 , Hardik Pandya 11)

Good over for India. Pandya has started off in a positive fashion. The over witnessed good contest between Pandya and Chameera. The pacer ramped up good pace and after being hit for a four off the first ball, he beat Pandya’s outside edge off the next ball. And then left alone a bouncer. He then flicked one through mid-wicket for a four and then flicked the next one to mid-wicket for two. 10 runs off the over.

FOUR! Full in middle, Pandya whips it through mid-wicket. It whizzes away to the fence.

FOUR! Short from Chameera, Pandya goes for the pull, doesn’t connect it well but it still races away through mid-wicket and into the fence. That’s the power he generates.

After 25 overs,India 158/4 ( Suryakumar Yadav 31 , Hardik Pandya 1)

A very good over from Jayawickrama. That subtle change of pace has been effective. He built the pressure with two dot balls to Pandey and bowled a beautiful loopy delivery which spun away slightly to send back Panday.  Just three runs and a wicket off the over.

Hardik Pandya is the new batsman….

OUT! Jayawickrama provides the breakthrough after the break. Pandey departs. It seemed like he was getting a bit frustrated, looking to up the ante. Jayawickrama flights it outside off, and it turns away. Panday gives himself room and looks to drive it through the covers but ends up getting an outside edge to the keeper.

Jayawickrama will bowl from the other end…

After 24 overs,India 155/3 ( Manish Pandey 10 , Suryakumar Yadav 30)

A good over after the restart for India. The break hasn’t affected Suryakumar’s touch. He’s timing them really well. He flicked one to fine leg for a four and then one through mid-wicket for the second one of the over. They weren’t necessarily bad deliveries but Suryakumar manouvered them smartly. 8 runs off the over.

FOUR! Brilliant timing from Surykumar. It’s on middle from Chameera, slightly fuller, Suryakumar flicks it past mid-wicket. The fielder should have done better there.

FOUR! Nicely done by Suryakumar. Nothing wrong with that delivery. It’s on a length on middle, Suryakumar flicks it fine to fine leg. It races away.

Back again as play resumes. Chameera will start off proceedings, Suryakumar is on strike…

What’s happened so far!

Just to remind you. Play was stopped with 23 overs bowled and India at 147/3. Suryakumar Yadav is at the crease with 22 from 17 balls along with Manish Pandey (10 off 15 balls). Prithvi Shaw missed out on a half-century as he was trapped LBW by captain Dasun Shanaka for 49. Samson too missed out on a 50 on debut as he was dismissed for 46. India have lost their top order with Dhawan, Shaw and Samson back in the pavilion.

We’ve lost three overs. It’s 47-overs a side affair. Play to start in about 30 minutes.

https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1418548824558039042

And while we wait for play to resume, watch this lovely performance from Deepak Chahar and team physio Niranjan Pandit.

Good signs….good signs….

Covers are coming off. Another 40 minutes or so we should be good to go. pic.twitter.com/AGpBycQhmm

— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) July 23, 2021

Some good news!

UPDATE: The rain has stopped at Colombo. The covers are off too. We'll have a start time shortly ⌛️#SLvIND

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) July 23, 2021

Tweeted by BCCI just about five minutes ago…

Not the sight we would have wanted to see 😕

The rain has just gotten heavier now!#TeamIndia 🇮🇳 147/3 in 23 overs

We will be back when we have updates 👍🏻#SLvIND

Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/7LRDbx0DLM pic.twitter.com/L3Yf5LcveR

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 23, 2021

Doesn’t look good for the moment!

Well, the rain has got heavier and the ground is fully covered #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/nr7ZbsJ5Jd

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 23, 2021

While the play has halted due to rain, you can follow the Olympics 2020 updates live HERE . The opening ceremony is underway.

Oh dear! It’s started raining out in the middle… The players are coming off the field and the covers are coming on…

After 23 overs,India 147/3 ( Manish Pandey 10 , Suryakumar Yadav 22)

Another eventful over that. Suryakumar survived an LBW appeal off the first ball as he reviewed the decision. A delivery later he got down for that slog sweep again and this time connected it for a four. Jayawickrama gave away just a run off the next three balls. 5 runs off the over.

NOT OUT! Suryakumar survives. It took ages to get the ball tracking replays. And then there was some confusion with the decision. The Sri Lankans started celebrating but the umpire called the batsman back as the impact was outside off. It was full outside off, Suryakumar goes down for a slog sweep but missed. The umpire raised the finger on the appeal. Suryakumar opted for a review and replays showed the impact was outside off.

HUGE Appeal for an LBW against Suryakumar Yadav and the umpire his lifted his finger! Suryakumar opts for a review.

After 22 overs,India 142/3 ( Manish Pandey 10 , Suryakumar Yadav 17)

An eventful over that from Shanaka. Suryakumar hit a couple of lovely fours. An on drive through mid on and then an upper cut to third man fetching consecutive fours. He then nearly dragged one on off the next ball as it flew inches wide of the leg stump as he tried to punch one through the off side. Pandey then goes for a ramp shot but doesn’t connect it. Two singles added to two fours made it 10 off the over.

FOURS! Suryakumar displaying a range of strokes. Drives one wide of mif off for a four and then upper cuts one to third man for consecutive fours off Shanaka.

After 21 overs,India 132/3 ( Manish Pandey 9 , Suryakumar Yadav 8)

Singles are coming easily for India. Three singles and a two off the Jayawickrama over. The spinner got some sharp turn off the third ball and it beat Suryakumar’s outside edge apart from that delivery, the batsmen seemed at ease. 5 off the over.

After 20 overs,India 127/3 ( Manish Pandey 7 , Suryakumar Yadav 5)

Suryakumar and Pandey ticking the scoreboard and not letting the pressure of a wicket fall get to them. Pandey started off with a two off the first ball to square leg. And then took a single to long on. Suryakumar then followed it with a four through extra cover. Shanaka though ended the over well with three dots. 7 runs off the over.

FOUR! Lovely from Suryakumar Yadav. It’s full and wide outside off, Suryakumar leans into the drive and caresses it wide of mid off.

After 19 overs,India 120/3 ( Manish Pandey 4 , Suryakumar Yadav 1)

A successful over for Sri Lanka. Samson started off with a well placed two and then there were another two singles. Samson then decided to charge down the track and loft one over extra cover but mistimed it straight to extra cover. Another couple of singles off the last two balls made it 6 runs and a wicket off the over.

Suryakumar Yadav is the new batsman…

OUT! Jayawickrama gets his first wicket. Samson, on 46, looks to get to that half-century. Charges down the track and again looks to hit it over extra cover but this time Jayawickrama cleverly slows his pace down and forces Samson to check his shot at the last moment. He ends up hitting it straight to extra cover fielder.

Jayawickrama continues…

After 18 overs,India 114/2 ( Sanju Samson (W) 43 , Manish Pandey 2)

Another decent over from Shanaka. He’s varied his pace well. Samson and Pandey were content with taking singles. Four of them in the over.

Shanaka continues

After 17 overs,India 110/2 ( Sanju Samson (W) 41 , Manish Pandey 0)

Samson making sure that a fall of wicket doesn’t allow Sri Lanka to exert pressure on India. He thumps a couple of fours through extra cover in that over. Mendis then bounces back well to bowl three dots to finish the over. Good contest this between the two. 8 runs off it.

FOURS! Samson at his best! Brilliant use of the feet on the first four. It’s full and wide outside off, Samson charges down the track and thumps it through extra cover. He then stays in his crease and hammers the next one over extra cover again, this time aerially.

Manish Pandey has joined Samson at the crease…Ramesh Mendis into the attack now.

After 16 overs,India 102/2 ( Sanju Samson (W) 33 , Manish Pandey 0)

A very good over from Shanaka. The captain built the pressure with three dots to Shaw after giving away a single to Samson off the first ball. It forced Shaw to do something different, he shuffled across and looked to flicked a straight ball but missed and was caught right in front. One run and a wicket of Shaw in that over.

OUT! Prithvi misses out on his half-century! Shanaka bowled three dot deliveries to Shaw on 49, off the fourth ball, Shaw shuffled across and looked to flick one on middle but missed it. He was trapped right in front as the umpire raised his finger. Shaw opted for a review but the replays showed three reds. A good innings comes to an end. A wicket at the right time for the Lankans.

Dasun Shanaka into the attack now..

After 15 overs,India 101/1 ( Prithvi Shaw 49 , Sanju Samson (W) 32)

Shaw upping the ante now. And he’s reached 49! He found the gaps to perfection in that over. A couple of slog sweeps, one through mid-wicket and one through square leg earning him fours while a pull shot behind square leg in between made it three boundaries in the over. It seems like they are looking to attack the left-arm spinner Jayawickrama. 14 runs off the over.

FOUR! Shaw is finding those gaps at will. Gets down again and slo sweeps it from outside off through square leg for another powerful four.

FOURS! They are looking to attack Jayawickrama. Shaw at first gets down and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket for a four and then pulls one slightly short delivery behind square leg for two in a row.

After 14 overs,India 87/1 ( Prithvi Shaw 35 , Sanju Samson (W) 32)

Dananjaya has been bowling well. He’s adjusting his lengths according to batsmen’s movements and not giving them much to manouver. It’s a decent over, just four runs off it. There was one ball which stayed low and Samson got his bat down at the last moment to defend it.

Dananjaya continues…

After 13 overs,India 83/1 ( Prithvi Shaw 34 , Sanju Samson (W) 29)

Another decent over for India. Jayawickrama didn’t get his lines right off the first three balls. He was a touch wide. Samson hit one of them for a four. He then drifted one down the leg side for a wide. The SL spinner though bounced back to concede just a single off the last three balls. 7 off the over.

FOUR! Nicely done from Samson. It’s flighted outside off from the left-arm spinner, Samson charges down the track and lofts it over extra cover.

Jayawickrama into the attack now

After 12 overs,India 76/1 ( Prithvi Shaw 33 , Sanju Samson (W) 24)

India are going at over six an over. And it’s been easy for these two batsmen – Samson and Shaw. They milk five singles in the over. Dananjaya has been mixing it up well though and creating some doubts in the mind of the batsmen who are a bit cautious. Still, the SL bowlers don’t look threatening. They need another wicket.

After 11 overs,India 71/1 ( Prithvi Shaw 30 , Sanju Samson (W) 22)

It was turning out to be a good over. Karunaratne had bowled four dots and given away just a single. But then he dropped short outside off, Samson pulled it through mid wicket for a four. 5 runs off the over. An odd boundary coming every over for India.

FOUR! Short from Karunaratne, Samson pulls it powerfully through mid-wicket, it hits one of the crows on the field and slows down but still trickles to the fence. Thankfully no damage done to the bird.

Stat: The last time India handed five ODI caps was way back in 1980. Dilip Doshi, Roger Binny, Sandeep Patil, Kirti Azad and Tirumalai Srinivasan made their debuts against Australia at the MCG.

Karunaratne continues….

After 10 overs,India 66/1 ( Prithvi Shaw 29 , Sanju Samson (W) 18)

Dananjaya mixed it up well in that over with off spinners and leg spinners. One of the leg spinners spun sharply from outside off and Samson left it alone. He then charged down the track the next ball and thumped it over long on for a six. The next two deliveries yielded just one run. 7 runs off the over. A decent powerplay for India – 66/1

SIX! There you go, Samson finally takes the aggressive route. Dances down the track and hits it over long on, off Dananjaya, just wide of the fielder.

Dananjaya continues,,,

After 9 overs,India 59/1 ( Prithvi Shaw 28 , Sanju Samson (W) 12)

Samson seems to be picking the deliveries to hit. He’s been patient so far. He gets one short and wide outside off and cuts it uppishly, slightly off the outside edge for a four. There was just one more run in the over with Shaw taking a single. 5 runs off the over.

FOUR! Short and wide outside off from Karunaratne, Samson cuts it uppishly wide of third man for a four. The fielder misjudged his run and made a mess of it. The bowler wasn’t impressed.

Karunaratne back into the attack…

After 8 overs,India 54/1 ( Prithvi Shaw 27 , Sanju Samson (W) 8)

Good comeback from Dananjaya after conceding 12 in his first over. He flighted them nicely and bowled it on the stumps or just outside off. Gave away just two singles in the over.

Dananjaya back into the attack

After 7 overs,India 52/1 ( Prithvi Shaw 26 , Sanju Samson (W) 7)

Chameera didn’t get his lines and length right in the over. A delivered a full one and was driven through mid off for a four by Shaw. And then he bowled one slightly wide and Shaw thumped it through cover-point for another four. Chameera then went short, Shaw missed one of his pulls and ducked under another. 8 runs off the over.

FOUR! 50 up for India. What a shot! A touch wide from Chameera, Shaw stands tall and hammers it through cover-point.

FOUR! Lovely from Prithvi! It’s full outside off, Prithvi thumps it powerfully wide of mid off, off Chameera.

After 6 overs,India 44/1 ( Prithvi Shaw 18 , Sanju Samson (W) 7)

A good over for Sri Lanka. Karunaratne concentrated on bowling it in the corridor of uncertainty. He also managed to draw a thick outside edge off Prithvi but it flew wide of the slips to thrid man for a single. Samson picked up a single and a two before leaving the last three outside off cautiously. 4 runs off it.

Karunaratne continues….

After 5 overs,India 40/1 ( Prithvi Shaw 17 , Sanju Samson (W) 4)

Prithvi has looked solid out in the middle and looked to keep the scoreboard ticking. Chameera has bowled decently so far and hit the hard lengths in that over. Three singles and a two in the over made it 5 off it.

Chameera continues….

After 4 overs,India 35/1 ( Prithvi Shaw 14 , Sanju Samson (W) 2)

A decent start from Karunaratne. He made use of that extra bounce, hit the hard length and beat Prithvi’s outside edge as he looked to punch through the off side, off one of the delivers in the over. He sprayed a couple wide too, one was called a wide and the other was driven for four. 6 runs off the over.

FOUR! Nicely timed from Prithvi! He comes forward and square drives it through point where the fielder makes a partial stop but doesn’t manage to stop it going to the fence.

Chamika Karunaratne into the attack now…

After 3 overs,India 29/1 ( Prithvi Shaw 10 , Sanju Samson (W) 1)

A successful over for Sri Lanka. Chameera didn’t start off well, pushing one onto Prithvi’s pads who flicked it away fro a four through square leg. But Chameera bounced back well to get the wicket of Dhawan. Samson then got off the mark with a flick to mid-wicket where a misfield allowed him a single. 6 runs and a wicket of the over.

One of the five debutants Sanju Samson strides out to the middle.

OUT! Chameera strikes! It’s full outside off, and tailing away. Dhawan goes for a booming drive but ends up getting an outside edge to the keeper. Sri Lanka needed that early breakthrough as Dhawan had started off in an ominous fashion.

FOUR! On the pads, Prithvi flicks it through square leg and it races away. Poor from Chameera.

After 2 overs,India 23/0 ( Prithvi Shaw 5 , Shikhar Dhawan (C) 13)

Another very good over for India. Dhawan started off in an aggressive fashion with three fours in a row off the first three balls. Dananjaya was guilty of pushing it too wide outside off. Dananjaya then bounced back with a couple of LBW shouts which were turned down. Dhawan hadn’t played a shot off one of them. Sri Lanka opted for a review but replays showed it was missing off comfortably. A review wasted. 12 runs off the over.

FOURS! Three in a row! Dhawan on the attack straightaway. Some lovely shots. He takes on Dananjaya off the first ball and lofts it over cover for a four, them drives a wide one through covers off the next ball for another boundary and then again follows up with another crunching drive through extra cover for three in a row.

Spinner Akila Dananjaya will take the new ball from the other end.

After 1 overs,India 11/0 ( Prithvi Shaw 5 , Shikhar Dhawan (C) 1)

A decent first over for India. 11 runs off it. Chameera was largely disciplined in the over apart from the one delivery which he sprayed down the leg side for five wides. Shaw straightaway got off the mark as he pushed one wide of mid off for a quick single off the first ball. Dhawan too got off the mark with a single, guiding one wide of third man for a single. Shaw then got his first four of the innings in s streaky manner with the inside edge flying over the slip cordon.

FOUR! Edgy! Chameera is unlucky here. He brings one back in from outside off, Shaw looks to dab it to third man but gets an inside edge into the ground which bounces over the slips cordon and runs away to the third man fence.

FIVE WIDES! Poor from Chameera! Drags it way down the leg side, well out of reach of Dhawan’s attempted flick and the diving keeper.

Right then! The Indian openers – Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw have made their way out to the middle. Chameera will start off proceedings for Sri Lanka.

A truly special day for them!

Say Hello 👋🏻 to our 5 ODI debutants #TeamIndia #SLvIND

Congratulations boys 👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/ouKYrtrW8G

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 23, 2021

Sri Lanka XI: Avishka Fernando, Minod Bhanuka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Praveen Jayawickrama.

India XI: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Sanju Samson, Manish Pandey, Suryakumar Yadav, Nitish Rana, Hardik Pandya, K Gowtham, Rahul Chahar, Navdeep Saini, Chetan Sakariya.

Toss: Well, there is excitement in the Indian camp, as Shikhar Dhawan has finally won the toss and elected to bat. Dhawan himself celebrated with his trademark kabaddi-style celebration after winning the toss. Good fun. Shikhar Dhawan informs that India have made six changes. Dasun Shanaka informs of three changes in the Sri Lankan team.

Chances galore…

Well, the news from out in the middle is that there will be five debutants for India in the 3rd ODI – Sanju Samson, Nitish Rana, Chetan Sakariya, K Gowtham, Rahul Chahar

Sri Lanka bounced back well from the first ODI thrashing, they fought well in the field for most parts of the 2nd ODI but couldn’t apply sustained pressure. They didn’t field well. And things got heated up between the coach and the captain post the match. Such kinds of losses could be confidence-denter. The team management will have a huge task of picking up the players and motivating them ahead of the final ODI.