Highlights ICC Champions Trophy 2017, India vs Sri Lanka, cricket result: Lankans defeat Kohli and Co, keep hopes alive

Group-B qualification scenarios: 

India v South Africa – Winner will qualify for semis 

Sri Lanka v Pakistan – Winner will qualify for semis 

Both match get washed out – South Africa and India will qualify (on the basis of NRR)

India v South Africa get washed out then India and Sri Lanka v Pakistan winner will qualify (on the basis of NRR)

Sri Lanka v Pakistan get washed out then Sri Lanka and South Africa v India winner will qualify (on the basis of NRR)

India captain, Virat Kohli: I dont think so. We all felt that we had enough at the half way mark. To chase that down total down, hats off to them. I think our bowlers bowled decently well. Well there is hindsight to things when you don’t win games. There is food for thought. You gotta give credit to other teams.

Sri Lanka captain, Angelo Mathews: It is one of the top wins. To restrict India under 321 and defeat them is quite fantastic.  We knew this is a good batting wicket and 300 is quite chaseable. You hit a lot of balls and try and keep yourself fit. As long as you hit the balls and keep yourself fit that’s all that counts. (When asked about Danushka) To walk in and bat like he did after what happened to Kapugedara was fantastic. The opening partnership was the changing moment.

A strong performance from Sri Lanka has completely opened up the possibilities in this group. Remember it started when they pulled things back in the latter half of the Indian inning. They were lucky to get Rohit’s wicket but then put pressure on the new batsmen and managed to keep things quiet for a while. At one stage it looked like India can get 350, but 322 is a regulation chase on good batting pitches in modern ODIs if you bat well and bat well they did with almost all their batsmen coming to the party. Mendis and Gunathilaka saw off the new ball threat from Yadav and Bhuvi and patiently built a partnership to lay the foundation of this chase. They were severe on India’s lesser bowlers and pretty much knocked Jadeja and Pandya out of the attack without taking too many risks. Two run outs at a crucial time in the game proved only minor hiccups as Matthews, as he has done so often for Sri Lanka in the past guided them through expertly with help from Perera and Gunaratne.

This was a famous and historic win for Sri Lanka. They batted brilliantly. They were calm under pressure and believed in their ability. India’s two bowlers, Jadeja and Pandya, were targeted very effectively. India, frankly did not know what hit them. They were outsmarted. India have to win the last league match, against South Africa on Sunday, to make the next stage. Not too much time to introspect why they lost so badly despite making 321.

Man of the Match, Kusal Mendis: Very good wicket. India did well post to 320 runs. Dickwella and Danushka did well and supported me. It is my first match against India and I feel well.

Highest targets successfully chased in ICC ODI tournaments:

328 – Ireland v England, Bangalore, 2011
322 – Sri Lanka v India,TODAY*
319 – Bangladesh v Scotland, Nelson, 2015

Sri Lanka stun India in a do-or-die clash and win the encounter by seven wickets. They keep their hopes alive in the tournament. The winning runs came off Mathews’ blade, quite fitting, as he pulls it to fine leg to take a single.

Umesh bowls it short and Asela pulls it through square leg for a couple. Ball second: Asela just guides it down to third man for a single. FOUR! Mathews comes down the track and nonchalantly drives it down the ground. He brings up his fifty. The 50-run stand also comes between Mathews and Gunaratne.

After 48 overs,Sri Lanka 314/3 ( Angelo Mathews (C) 47 , Asela Gunaratne 31)

Two mature heads doing it out in the middle for Sri Lanka. Without taking any undue risks, they milk five singles off Bumrah’s last over.

All the exposure to IPL might actually be working against the Indian bowlers. The Lankan batsmen know what to expect from each bowler. Bumrah’s slower deliveries were awaited and neatly pushed away to third man  for runs. So too Bhuvi and Umesh Yadav’s deliveries. The Lankan batsmen knew what to expect in different situations. The worst was Jadeja. They knew exactly what he’d deliver and went after him.

After 47 overs,Sri Lanka 309/3 ( Angelo Mathews (C) 45 , Asela Gunaratne 28)

FOUR! Sri Lanka putting the pressure on Indian bowlers on the first ball itself. Mathews square drives the first ball through point for a boundary. Good fielding on the second ball keeps Mathews on strike. Mathews nurdles the third ball through midwicket for a couple. A single is taken on the fifth ball. And Angelo defends the sixth ball to midwicket. Sri Lanka need 13 runs in 18 balls

Sri Lanka is really turning it on here with some outrageous stroke play. Their coach had said in the tournament build-up that they would like to see good batting wickets to allow their strong batting line up to express themselves and they have done exactly that here today. Once they get a solid platform, this team is capable of taking on any target. They need less than a run a ball from here with two batsmen who don’t look in any trouble at all and India still need to bowl an over from Pandya or Jadeja here. This is a walk in the park for Sri lanka from here.

After 46 overs,Sri Lanka 301/3 ( Angelo Mathews (C) 38 , Asela Gunaratne 27)

Bumrah comes back. Sri Lanka don’t need to take any risks against India’s best death bowler. He starts with a length ball, Mathews pats it towards point for  a run. SIX! Unbelievable shot. Well, Asela has different plans. Bumrah bowls it full and outside off, Gunaratne shuffles across and sweeps it over square leg. That almost went out of the ground. Top, top shot. Bumrah responds with a dipping yorker and Asela misses it. On the fourth ball, Bumrah bowls it full and outside off, Asela opens the face of the bat and guides it to third man to pick up a brace. The fifth ball is an action replay of the previous delivery. Bumrah ends the yorker with a quality yorker and Asela fails to score any run off it.

After 45 overs,Sri Lanka 290/3 ( Angelo Mathews (C) 37 , Asela Gunaratne 17)

Gunaratne pulls the third delivery of the over towards the square-leg boundary, and ends up finding the boundary at backward square-leg. Couple of sharp yorkers by Bhuvneshwar in the next two deliveries. FOUR! Gunaratne finishes the over with a square drive, picking the full delivery to perfection. 

Sri Lanka need 32 off 30 with 6 wickets in hand.

After 44 overs,Sri Lanka 279/3 ( Angelo Mathews (C) 36 , Asela Gunaratne 7)

Umesh Yadav into his ninth over. SIX! That’s how Gunaratne gets off the mark, pulling a short ball from Umesh towards long-leg! Mathews gets himself on strike with a single off the last delivery. 

Sri Lanka need 43 off 36 with 6 wickets in hand.

Whatever happens from here, this has been a terrific chase by Sri Lanka. They’ve kept their nerve, believed in their ability and kept going. The fact that they have seven wickets in hand make this match theirs to lose. Indian bowlers’ experience in tight matches in IPL will be called to deliver. The match is far from over. Kusal Perera’s retirement may change equations. A couple of quick wickets may be the twist this game needs.

Kusal Perera decides to retire hurt on 47 off 44 balls at the end of the 43rd over. He was in visible discomfort in the last couple of overs. Asela Gunaratne walks out to bat now. SL 271/3 after 43 overs

After 43 overs,Sri Lanka 271/3 ( Angelo Mathews (C) 35 , )

Bhuvneshwar back into the attack in the 43rd over. Powerfully struck by Perera in the first ball towards deep midwicket, where substitute fielder Rahane stops the ball from crossing over. Wide conceded in the third delivery of the over. The two batsmen ensure they rotate the strike between themselves in this over, even if the boundaries don’t come by, with six coming off the over.

Sri Lanka need 51 off 42 with 7 wickets in hand.

After 42 overs,Sri Lanka 265/3 ( Kusal Perera 44 , Angelo Mathews (C) 33)

Yadav into his eighth over. Mathews connects brilliantly in the second ball of the over, and goes inside out to find the long-off boundary. The SL captain then flicks the fourth delivery towards the backward square-leg boundary to get his second boundary of the over, with 10 coming off it. This is turning out to be a match-winning partnership for the Indians right now. 

Sri Lanka need 57 off 48 with 7 wickets in hand.

After 41 overs,Sri Lanka 255/3 ( Kusal Perera 43 , Angelo Mathews (C) 24)

Bumrah into his eighth over, and he has been the pick of the Indian bowlers so far. Anxious moment for Perera at the striker’s end after a throw from Jadeja at backward point, which misses the stumps. 250 comes up for SL with a single in the third delivery. Mathews chips a slower ball high up in the air towards the leg side in the fifth delivery, but the ball lands beyond his Indian counterpart Kohli’s reach at midwicket. Misfield by Jadhav at deep midwicket in the last delivery results in a boundary. 

Sri Lanka need 67 off 54 with 7 wickets in hand.

After 40 overs,Sri Lanka 247/3 ( Kusal Perera 37 , Angelo Mathews (C) 22)

Perera would have been run-out in the first delivery had Jadhav effected a direct hit at the non-striker’s end. Mathews swings his bat confidently next ball, and finds the cow-corner boundary. Slaps a short ball from Umesh third ball, getting only a single this time. FOUR! Fine work by Perera, tucking a back-of-length delivery towards the long-leg fence to bring up the 50-stand. Meanwhile, the win-predictor is in Sri Lanka’s favour for the first time this innings. 10 off the over. End of the second powerplay. 

Sri Lanka need 75 off 60 with 7 wickets in hand.

Run outs again proving Sri Lanka’s kryptonite in this competition. They lost crucial wickets to run outs against South Africa and both their set batsmen were run out again today. Still, Sri Lanka is in charge of this chase. They have wickets in hand and the required run rate is very manageable. Indian bowlers are skillful at the death though and can pose problems. There is no room for complacency for the two batsmen in the middle even though Sri Lanka bat deep. Matthews and Perera should look to knock off most if not all of these required runs from here.

After 39 overs,Sri Lanka 237/3 ( Kusal Perera 32 , Angelo Mathews (C) 17)

Bumrah into the attack in the 39th over. Outside edge off Mathews’ bat carries to third man for a single. Singles exchanged in the next two deliveries as well, with Bumrah restricting the batsmen in terms of their shots for now. Double collected in the last ball of the over, with five coming off it.

Sri Lanka need 85 off 66 with 7 wickets in hand.

After 38 overs,Sri Lanka 232/3 ( Kusal Perera 29 , Angelo Mathews (C) 15)

Umesh returns to the attack in this over. Mathews guides the fourth delivery of the over towards deep point, where commitment by Dhawan sees him save a run for the Indians. Five off the over.

Jadeja and Pandya have been very expensive. Jadeja’s 6 overs cost a whopping 52 runs while Pandya 7 have gone for 47. Kohli has to squeeze out one more over from either or even himself or Jadhav before Bhuvi, Umesh and Bumrah take over. Better still get a couple of wickets in the next couple of overs. At this stage Lanka are in the driving seat

After 37 overs,Sri Lanka 227/3 ( Kusal Perera 29 , Angelo Mathews (C) 10)

Pandya into his seventh over. Mathews shuffles to his right, and tucks the back-of-length delivery towards backwad square-leg in the first delivery. Direct hit by midwicket fielder Jadhav at the non-striker’s stump, though the SL skipper eventually got his bat inside the crease after taking his eyes off for a second, completing the single. Perera ends the over with a boundary, making room and going inside-out to hammer towards long-off. 11 off the over.

After 36 overs,Sri Lanka 216/3 ( Kusal Perera 24 , Angelo Mathews (C) 4)

Jadeja into his sixth over. Perera reverse-sweeps the first ball of the over towards third-man, getting his second boundary in the process. Looks for another sweep in the following delivery, though he gets a top-edge that carries over the keeper’s head and lands safely beyond any fielder’s reach. Ideal over for the Lankans, with 10 coming off it.

After 35 overs,Sri Lanka 206/3 ( Kusal Perera 16 , Angelo Mathews (C) 2)

Pandya returns to the attack. Perera tries going for a second run in the first delivery, but is firmly sent back by his captain. Thick inside-edge by Mathews in the second delivery, and manages to collect a quick single. Rotation of strike seems to be the name of the game for now. Tidy one by Pandya, giving away three singles in this over. Drinks taken at the end of this over.

After 34 overs,Sri Lanka 203/3 ( Kusal Perera 14 , Angelo Mathews (C) 1)

Jadeja back into the attack for his second spell, having endured a nightmarish run so far in the innings, conceding 36 off his first four overs. Perera is offered width in the fourth ball, chips it between point and cover, with the ball running away to the boundary, bringing up the 200 for the Lankans. Seven off the over.

After 33 overs,Sri Lanka 196/3 ( Kusal Perera 9 , Angelo Mathews (C) 0)

Bhuvneshwar returns to the attack in the 33rd over. Couple of easy singles exchanged in the first two deliveries. Perera then sets off for a risky single in the third delievry, and a superb collect-and-throw by Bhuvneshwar in the fourth delivery results in the dismissal of Mendis, who is well short of his crease at the striker’s end. Two new batsmen at the crease, and the going suddenly looks tough for the Lankans. Just two off this over. Skipper Angelo Mathews walks out to bat ahead of Dinesh Chandimal

OUT! Quick collect and throw by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and we have the fall of the third Sri Lankan wicket. It was a risky call for a single, and we have Kusal Mendis walking back to the pavilion 11 short of what would have been his 2nd ODI century! India suddenly back in the hunt!  SL 196/3

Mendis run-out (Bhuvneshwar) 89(93)

After 32 overs,Sri Lanka 194/2 ( Kusal Mendis 88 , Kusal Perera 8)

Mendis chips the first delivery of Kohli’s third over towards extra-cover, where the fielder nearly pulls off a tough chance. Four singles collected in the remainder of the over. Mendis, meanwhile, is approaching his second ODI century at the moment.

After 31 overs,Sri Lanka 190/2 ( Kusal Mendis 86 , Kusal Perera 6)
 

The two Kusals rotate the strike in the first three deliveries. Jadhav concedes a wide in the fourth delivery, straying down Perera’s leg-stump. Tough catching chance for the keeper after Perera gets an outside edge that deflects off the keeper’s gloves. Six off the over.

Lanka need 138 runs in the last 20 overs. Can be done if Lanka have wickets in hand. India must disrupt their plans with a couple of wickets quickly. Lanka bat deep. But good plan to get through 4 to 5 overs of Kohli and Jadhav at this stage. Jadhav is a street sharp cricketer and it shows in the way he is altering length, line and point of delivery

After 30 overs,Sri Lanka 184/2 ( Kusal Mendis 83 , Kusal Perera 4)

Kohli into his second over. Mendis pats the first ball of the over down the ground, with the ball being airborne close to Kohli, eventually running down to allow him a single. Four singles and a leg-bye in this over. End of the 30th over, and the Sri Lankans are progressing at a decent pace at the moment, with the required run-rate in their control, and eight wickets at their disposal.

A brilliant partnership between Gunathilaka and Mendis has come to an end courtesy a run out. These two reaped the advantage of staying in the middle and seeing off the main bowlers. Once you do that, there is always the chance of scoring big against the fourth or the fifth bowler. Kohli bowling himself and Jadhav was a sign of worry on India’s part after Mendis knocked Pandya out of the attack with three consecutive boundaries. Mendis is going to be the key in this chase, he has the game to collect boundaries by playing cricketing shots without taking too many risks. He needs to take a page out of Kohli’s chasing Bible and see this chase all the way through.

After 29 overs,Sri Lanka 179/2 ( Kusal Mendis 80 , Kusal Perera 3)

Jadhav continues to operate from the other end, and a loose delivery in the third ball of the over gets cut towards sweeper cover, with Mendis collecting his 11th boundary in the process. Kusal Perera, the new batsman at the crease, gets a couple of runs in this over.

After 28 overs,Sri Lanka 171/2 ( Kusal Mendis 74 , Kusal Perera 1)

Kohli now gets his dibbly-dobbly medium-pace into the attack. Mendis greets him with a slog towards the leg side, which results in his 10th boundary. A risky call for a second run however, results in the dismissal of Gunathilaka — a much-needed breakthrough for the Indians! Nine runs and a wicket off this over.

The D/L par scores for Sri Lanka at the end of 30 overs are: 166/2, 177/3, 191/4, 209/5.

It worked. Gunathilaka ran himself out. Lowered his guard momentarily.

OUT! And there is a silver lining for the Indians now! Gunathilaka is caught short of his crease at the striker’s end, where Dhoni whips the bails off in a flash! it comes down to the captain himself to get the wicket. Good throw by Umesh as well, running in from deep square-leg. Unnecessary call for a second run on that occasion.  SL 170/2

Gunathilaka run-out (Umesh/Dhoni) 76(72)

Kohli and Jadhav bowling in tandem. Is this a ploy to lower the batsmen’s guard and hope they play a loose shot? Touch of Dhoni in the move

This is the first 150-plus stand by a Sri Lankan pair (Danushka Gunathilaka & Kusal Mendis) against India in ICC ODI tournaments.

After 27 overs,Sri Lanka 162/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 73 , Kusal Mendis 69)

Kohli turns to part-timer Jadhav in desperation, and the latter concedes four runs in a tidy over. India are in dire need of wickets at the moment, and nothing seems to be working for them at the moment. At this rate, with a lineup that bats deep, the Lankans might even be considered favourites.

Sri Lanka obviously targeting Jadeja and Pandya. They have 11 of the 24 overs to sent down. Nearly 50 per cent. Kedar Jadhav coming in to slip in a couple of overs to break the monotony and may be even get a breakthrough. He is slower and delivers from a lower point of release. But Lanka ar ein control at this stage. India need the wicket. Mendis and Gunathilaka have batted superbly. Real scare for India

After 26 overs,Sri Lanka 158/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 71 , Kusal Mendis 67)

Gunathilaka miscues the third delivery of the over towards long-on, where Rohit nearly pulls off a stunner. Successive boundaries in the next three deliveries, with Mendis finding the rope on either side of the square in the first two balls, before pulling the last ball of the over towards backward square-leg. 15 off this over, with Kohli now desperate for a wicket.

After 25 overs,Sri Lanka 143/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 69 , Kusal Mendis 54)

Bumrah into his sixth over. Gunathilaka pats it to Kohli at cover in the fourth delivery of the over, and the crowd thinks he held on to a catch on that occasion, putting up a loud cheer after being quiet for quite some time now. Good over for the Indians, with just two runs coming off it. The Sri Lankans have progressed wonderfully after the early dismissal, and are in firm control of the proceedings at the half-way mark in their innings.

This is the 11th ODI fifty for Kusal Mendis which is the second most by any player since his ODI debut.

After 24 overs,Sri Lanka 141/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 68 , Kusal Mendis 53)

Jadeja’s nightmarish run in this match gets worse, as he gets hammered for a six and two fours, and ends up conceding 16 runs in what turns out to be the most expensive over of the Sri Lankan innings so far. Mendis brings up his half-century with a six in this over.

Fifty for Kusal Mendis, and he gets there in style, getting down on one knee and lofting it towards the midwicket boundary! His 10th ODI fifty already! Some consistency showed by the youngster!

After 23 overs,Sri Lanka 125/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 60 , Kusal Mendis 46)

Bumrah oversteps in the final delivery of the over, though he responds with a terrific yorker in the free-hit. Five off the over, including three singles before the no-ball.

After 22 overs,Sri Lanka 120/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 59 , Kusal Mendis 45)

Jadeja into his third over. Gunathilaka and Mendis collect three singles in the first three deliveries, before the latter gets down on one knee, and slogs towards the midwicket boundary. Seven off the over.

After 21 overs,Sri Lanka 113/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 57 , Kusal Mendis 40)

Bumrah returns to the attack in the 21st over, with the Sri Lankans cruising at the moment. Three singles in the first three deliveries brings up the 100-stand for the second wicket. Astute display by these two so far, taking the attack to the Indians now. Five off this over.

After 20 overs,Sri Lanka 108/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 54 , Kusal Mendis 39)

Jadeja bowls it short and Mendis nurdles it through square leg for a single. Danushka instantly rotates the strike with a single. Poor fielding comes back to haunt India. Mendis chips Jadeja towards long on and Yuvraj hares across to look for a catch but he runs far ahead and the ball bounces behind him and goes for a boundary. After playing two dots. FOUR! Mendis goes back and pulls a shortish delivery to the vacant midwicket region.

After 19 overs,Sri Lanka 98/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 53 , Kusal Mendis 30)

Hardik bowls on a length and Danushka looks to flick but only manages a leading edge. SIX! Wow. Hardik bowls it short and Gunathilaka just pulls it over midwicket. He brings up his 4th ODI half century with that shot. But Hardik concedes only two runs off the remainder of the over.

This is a decent period of play for the Lankans. Mendis was Sri Lanka’s form batsman before this series, he must go big and anchor this chase. India has a strong new-ball bowling attack and trying to blast away half the required runs in the first 15 overs isn’t the smartest tactic. Instead, they are looking to string together a partnership and taking this chase deep. Getting even 180 in the last twenty overs isn’t impossible if you have wickets in hands in this day and age of T20 cricket.

What a crowd here today at The Oval! 🎉🎺🎊 #INDvSL #CT17 pic.twitter.com/kfvod8GWjF

— ICC (@ICC) June 8, 2017

After 18 overs,Sri Lanka 90/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 46 , Kusal Mendis 29)

Jadeja introduced into the attack in the 18th over, with India skipper Kohli perhaps getting anxious for a breakthrough at the moment. Decent first over for the left-arm tweaker, with three singles coming off it.

After 17 overs,Sri Lanka 87/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 44 , Kusal Mendis 28)

FOUR! Gunathilaka collecting runs freely at the moment. Edges through the vacant slips in the second delivery of the following over, and finds the third man boundary. Collects a double in the subsequent over. Good over for the Sri Lankans, with 11 coming off this over.

After 16 overs,Sri Lanka 76/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 37 , Kusal Mendis 25)

Appeal for an lbw by Bumrah against Gunathilaka in the fifth delivery of the over, though height might have played a factor in the umpire turning it down. Gunathilaka then lofts the final delivery down the ground with a straight bat to move to 37.

Some disruption of the Lankan innings is in order. Can’t let them preserve wickets and at the same time keep the scoring at around 5 runs an over. A couple of wickets would set them back. Their batsmen would have identified one or two bowlers whom they can target. Should disrupt their plans now

After 15 overs,Sri Lanka 70/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 32 , Kusal Mendis 24)

Another close call in this over, with Mendis miscuing towards the off side. Fortunately for him, it landed well short of Dhawan at cover. DROPPED! Mendis drives down the ground, and Pandya gets his fingers on the ball for a moment, though he is not able to grab hold of it. Turns out to be a maiden, the first of this innings.

After 14 overs,Sri Lanka 70/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 32 , Kusal Mendis 24)

Two leg-byes conceded by Bumrah at the start of the over. Couple of close moments for Gunathilaka in this over. First in the second delivery, in which he lobs the ball up in the air, and it lands anxiously close to Kohli at mid-off. Then he sets off for a quick single in two deliveries later, and might have been run-out had Kohli effected a direct hit. Four leg-byes in the last delivery of the over. These two batsmen looking solid right now.

After 13 overs,Sri Lanka 62/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 31 , Kusal Mendis 23)

Hardik Pandya introduced into the attack from the Vauxhall End. He disappointed with the bat earlier in the Indian innings. Let’s see if he can make a comeback with the ball or not. The 50-stand comes up with a single by Mendis in the fourth delivery of the over. This has been a good recovery by the Sri Lankans, and the two batsmen out there have paced their innings quite admirably.

After 12 overs,Sri Lanka 59/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 29 , Kusal Mendis 22)

First bowling change of the innings, with Jasprit Bumrah getting introduced into the attack in the 12th over. Third boundary for Mendis in the third delivery of the over, going for the square-drive on the up. Couple of singles collected in the remainder of the over, with six coming off it.

Really tight bowling by Bhuvi and Umesh Yadav. They’ve kept the run rate in check and conceded a mere 44 runs in 10 overs while dismissing Dickwella. India have a good total which they should defend. They’ve started well in the initial 10 overs. More of the same would stifle Lankans.  A couple of wickets would greatly help the Indian cause

After 11 overs,Sri Lanka 53/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 28 , Kusal Mendis 17)

Couple of singles at the start of the over. Mendis brings up the team 50 with a pull towards fine-leg to get his second boundary, and bring up the team 50. Nine off the over. The two have built a steady stand so far.

A testing opening spell from Indian bowlers has meant that Sri Lanka haven’t got off to the flying start they would have liked. Indian bowlers didn’t find any swing with the ball just like their Sri Lankan counterparts but they built consistent pressure by bowling a tight line at a lively pace and varying their length to surprise the batsmen once in a while. Gunathilaka has played some attractive strokes but Sri Lanka need one of their top 3 to go on and make a big hundred. Attractive 60s aren’t going to do them any favours.

After 10 overs,Sri Lanka 44/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 27 , Kusal Mendis 9)

Gunathilaka lofts the second ball of the over down the ground to collect his third boundary. Six off the 10th over, with Sri Lanka just being four behind India’s score at this stage, though they are at the disadvantage of having lost a wicket at this stage.

After 9 overs,Sri Lanka 38/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 22 , Kusal Mendis 8)

Mendis gets a thick outside edge in the second delivery of this over, and it carries wide of the slip fielder, all the way to the third man boundary. Dots in the remainder of the over.

After 8 overs,Sri Lanka 34/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 22 , Kusal Mendis 4)

Gunathilaka starts expressing himself in this over, using Umesh’ pace to clear the fine-leg rope at the start of the over before timing his drive through extra-cover to perfection two deliveries later. That will ease some of the nerves in the Sri Lankan dressing room. Good over for the Lankans, with 12 coming off it.

After 7 overs,Sri Lanka 22/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 10 , Kusal Mendis 4)

Five runs conceded by Bhuvneshwar in the seventh over, with Sri Lanka getting off to a sluggish start in their chase of the stiff 322-run target. India have managed to silence the dangerous Dickwella, and a couple of more wickets will put them in firm control.

After 6 overs,Sri Lanka 17/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 8 , Kusal Mendis 1)

Sharp one from Umesh in the third delivery of his second over. Kusal Mendis, the new batsman, gets off the mark with a dab towards third man, collecting a single. Two singles scored in the over.

India have not lost an ODI match outside Asia in which Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken two or more than two wickets.

Dickwella, Lanka’s pinch hitter proved to be useless for the team. Bhuvi and Umesh kept him on a tight leash by second guessing his movement. They gave him no room at all to free his hands. The batsman, known for throwing his bat at the top, could have been a dangerous player. But Bhuvi was too smart and got rid of him in the 5th over. Excellent wicket for India, particularly when the field restrictions are in place. Dickwella could have hurt them. Now he’s gone. Next target: get through 20 overs fast.

After 5 overs,Sri Lanka 15/1 ( Danushka Gunathilaka 7 , Kusal Mendis 0)

Bhuvneshwar was stamping authority in this over with five dots, including a wicket, before Gunathilaka punches the final delivery of the over through extra-cover. The wicket was coming for the Indians, given the series of mishits. Dickwella was looking to push this towards the leg side, but top-edged it to Jadeja, who grabbed the opportunity near short third man.

OUT! Dickwella perishes early after getting a top-edge, getting caught by Jadeja near short third man. SL 11/1

Dickwella c Jadeja b Bhuvneshwar 7(18)

After 4 overs,Sri Lanka 11/0 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 7 , Danushka Gunathilaka 3)

Umesh concedes a wide in the second ball of the over, with the square-leg umpire making the call for height. Dickwella flicked the fourth ball of the over towards fine-leg , where the ball lands just short of Jadhav. Four off the over.

After 3 overs,India 12/0 ( Rohit Sharma 5 , Shikhar Dhawan 7)

Appeal for lbw by Bhuvneshwar against Gunathilaka in the second ball of the over, though it was clearly pitched outside leg. Dickwella lobs the fifth ball of the over towards the leg side, with the ball landing beyond the midwicket fielder’s reach. Three off the over.

After 2 overs,Sri Lanka 4/0 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 3 , Danushka Gunathilaka 1)

Umesh operates from the other end. Gunathilaka gets off the mark by guiding the second delivery towards backward square-leg to collect a single. Good over by Umesh, with two runs coming off it.

After 1 overs,Sri Lanka 2/0 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 2 , Danushka Gunathilaka 0)

Dickwella pushes the third delivery of the over towards the leg side, and collects a couple of runs to get his side off the mark. Near run-out in the third delivery, and Gunathilaka would have been run-out by a mile had Jadhav been more accurate in his throw. Two runs off this over.

The highest target successfully chased by Sri Lanka in ODIs is 322 which they chased it against England at Leeds in 2006.

Gunathilaka and Dickwella walk out to bat at the start of the Sri Lankan innings, and they have a stiff task at hand at the moment. Bhuvneshwar to bowl the first over.

#INDvSL
Rohit + Dhawan = Rawan.
Well known ruler of Sri Lanka.

— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) June 8, 2017

Ayaz Memon reviews India’s batting display and more at innings break…

Sri Lanka have managed to contain the damages from a possible Dhoni storm at the end but Jadhav has given India a strong finish to push that total beyond 320. Still, they would be happy with the way they pulled things back in the middle overs. Given the start India got, a total of 350 wasn’t impossible. Sri Lanka gave glimpses of their potential early on in that chase against South Africa but their batsmen will have to bat out of their skin to have any chance of overhauling India’s score. Sri Lankan batsmen would do well to take a few notes from the manner in which Indian batsmen built their partnership. They were prepared to play a quiet period of play to avoid losing wickets in a bunch, something Sri Lanka couldn’t manage against South Africa. Sri Lanka will also be a little jittery due to their slow over rate, a suspension for Matthews is the last thing they want.

India have worked themselves well and notched up a very good total. Any score of around 300 would place enormous pressure on the side chasing. India have a bit more– 321 to be precise. Dhoni’s super batting in the last ten overs virtually turned the clock back. His 63 from 52 balls was vintage Dhoni. India should be able to put it across Sri Lanka, even if the Lankans have packed an extra batsman. Hopefully rains will stay away and we won’t get to see another Duckworth Lewis induced artificial result. Kedar Jadav cameo at the finish came in very handy.  Lanka will find 322 almost iimpossible to crack . They are in a must-win situation.

Most consecutive 300-plus totals in ODIs:

6 – Australia 

5 – Sri Lanka, INDIA* 

4 – Sri Lanka, England

After 50 overs,India 321/6 ( Kedar Jadhav 25 , Ravindra Jadeja 0)

Jadhav pulls a full toss to midwicket for a single. Dhoni falls on the second ball. SIX! Whattay a shot! Kedar Jadhav shuffles across and sweeps Thisara over square leg. He misses the fourth ball. FOUR! Jadhav playing a handy cameo here. Once again walks across and sweeps it in front of square on the leg side. Now Mathews deploys a deep square leg. Will the result change? No they don’t. FOUR! Jadhav goes across and pulls it behind square leg. Top top finish this from Kedar Jadhav.

This is the 95th 300-plus score for India in ODI cricket which is the joint most by any team. Australia have also 95 300-plus scores in ODI cricket till date.

OUT! Dhoni perishes after he lofts one straight to long off. He got the elevation but not the connection. His 52-ball 63 knock comes to an end.

After 49 overs,India 306/5 ( MS Dhoni (W) 63 , Kedar Jadhav 10)

Malinga begins his over with a slower delivery, Kedar edges it towards covers for a single. Terrific running! Dhoni nudges it softly through midwicket and comes back for a brace. He defends the third ball to midwicket. Ball four: Malinga bowls it short, Dhoni makes room and punches it towards mid off. Single taken. Jadhav uses his feet against the fifth ball and clips it to midwicket to bring Dhoni back on strike. FOUR! Malinga spoils what was an excellent over with a short and wide delivery which Dhoni cuts away for a boundary.

This is 112th fifty-plus score for MS Dhoni international cricket which is the joint second most by any player. Kumar Sangakkara had hit 140 fifty-plus scores in international cricket which is a record among wicket-keepers.

After 48 overs,India 297/5 ( MS Dhoni (W) 56 , Kedar Jadhav 8)

Thisara starts with a yorker outside off, Dhoni leaves it alone. On the second ball, Thisara bangs it short and Dhoni mistimes it back tto the bowler. FIFTY! Dhoni brings up his 62nd half century with a single to long off. Jadhav plays a dot before Kedar gives the strike back to Dhoni. SIX! A poor delivery, a full toss, and Dhoni just smashes it over midwicket.

After 47 overs,India 289/5 ( MS Dhoni (W) 49 , Kedar Jadhav 7)

Pradeep into his final over. Jadhav and Dhoni exchange singles in the first half of the over. Wide conceded in the fourth delivery of the over. Jadhav pats the fifth delivery down the ground for a couple of runs, and ends the over with a boundary. Nine off the over. Dhoni on 49 at the moment.

After 46 overs,India 280/5 ( MS Dhoni (W) 48 , Kedar Jadhav 0)

A over that began quietly has given Sri Lanka some respite. After Hardik smashed a maximum, the bowler came back to to dismiss the dangerous batsman. 10 runs off the over.

Amid the carnage Malinga did well to get rid of Dhawan.A splendid innings the opener’s 128-ball score of 125.  Dhoni’s and Dhawan’s partnership was so bruising that Sri Lanka were forced to bring back Malinga. He’s now bowled 9 of the 45 overs and would have just one over at the death. A far cry from when they’d get him to bowl three of the last 5 overs. Dhoni and Hardik Pandya along with others should have a busy last five overs for sure. 325 still looks on

After 45 overs,India 270/4 ( MS Dhoni (W) 45 , Hardik Pandya 3)

Dhawan perishes at the start of the over, holing out to long-on after hitting a slower one from Malinga from the bottom of the bat. Dhoni keeps the show going after his departure, guiding the next delivery down fine-leg. Hardik Pandya, the new batsman at the crease, gets off the mark with a double in the first delivery that he faces. Nine off the over, along with the wicket, and Dhoni retains the strike for the 46th with a single off the last ball.

OUT! And that is the end of Dhawan’s stay at the crease, and he has to depart for a superb 125. Slogs it down the ground, and holes out to long-on! India 261/4

Dhawan c Mendis b Malinga 125(128)

Sri Lanka looking to minimize the damage from here. They know they will bleed some runs, they need to prevent a hemorrhage. Dhoni and Dhawan can score runs at will in the last five overs. Sri Lankan bowlers have struggled to bowl six good balls in an over. They were guilty of pitching it short to Dhoni early on and that allowed him to play a release shot just when he wasn’t able to get the singles. Questionable captaincy from Matthews too in removing Gunaratne from the attack when he had bowled 3 overs for 7 runs. Sri Lanka’s best phase of play came when they dried the singles and were rewarded with wickets of Kohli and Yuvraj. They just haven’t been able to sustain that kind of pressure for prolonged periods.

After 44 overs,India 261/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 125 , MS Dhoni (W) 39)

Lakmal back into the attack in the 43rd over, and starts off with a wide, conceding another two deliveries later. Dhoni cuts the third delivery towards the extra-cover boundary, with the ball scurrying away like a rocket. 10 off the eigth-ball over.

After 43 overs,India 251/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 123 , MS Dhoni (W) 33)

Malinga returns to the attack in this over. Attempts a slog sweep first ball, and gets a top-edge. Gunathilaka jumps near the square-leg boundary, but doesn’t time his dive well, with the ball running away for a four. Singles exchanged in the next two deliveries, with both Dhawan and Dhoni looking for a big hit on those occasion. Dhawan brings up the team 250 with a double in the fourth delivery. Nice comeback by Malinga towards the end of the over, finishing it with two dots.

After 42 overs,India 243/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 116 , MS Dhoni (W) 32)

SIX! Dhawan pulls a short ball outside leg, and clears the fine-leg boundary with ease to bring up the 50-stand with Dhoni. MSD then cracks back-to-back boundaries with utter domination to inflict heap further misery on the Lankans. Nice comeback by Pradeep in the last ball of the over, beating Dhoni’s inside-edge with an inswinging full-toss. 16 off that over.

After 41 overs,India 227/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 109 , MS Dhoni (W) 23)

Dhawan collects a double in the second ball of the over, before driving the next delivery down the ground to get his 14th boundary. Nine off the over, and the two batsmen will look to tee off in order to get the Indians to a formidable total.

There are Champion cricketers and then are Champions Trophy cricketers#ShikharDhawan

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) June 8, 2017

After 40 overs,India 218/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 102 , MS Dhoni (W) 22)

Pradeep back into the attack for his eighth over. Dhoni pulls a short ball in the second delivery, with the ball landing just short of the rope for a four. Dhawan then brings up his third century in the Champions Trophy with a late square-cut, ranking alongside Sourav Ganguly, Chris Gayle and Herschelle Gibbs. He brings up his century in 112 deliveries. 11 off the 40th over, and we reach the conclusion of the second powerplay.

Least innings to 10 ODI tons:

55 – Quinton de Kock

57 – Hashim Amla

77 – SHIKHAR DHAWAN*

80 – Virat Kohli

84 – Joe Root

Most centuries in ICC ODI tournaments for India:

7 – Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar 

5 – SHIKHAR DHAWAN

3 – Virender Sehwag

Most centuries in ICC Champions Trophy:

3 – Sourav Ganguly 

3 – Chris Gayle 

3 – Herschelle Gibbs 

3 – SHIKHAR DHAWAN

CENTURY for Shikhar Dhawan — his third in the Champions Trophy, and his 10th overall in ODIs! Gets to the milestone with a slash towards the backward point fence, and off comes the helmet, along with that quintessential pose!

After 39 overs,India 207/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 97 , MS Dhoni (W) 16)

Dhawan drives towards sweeper cover to collect a couple of runs in the fourth ball of the over, before pulling the fifth delivery towards the backward square-leg fence to move to 97. The noise among the Indian fans rising steadily right now.

After 38 overs,India 200/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 91 , MS Dhoni (W) 15)

Gunaratne concedes three singles in his third over, with the team 200 coming up in the last ball of this over. While Dhoni takes his time to settle at the crease, Dhawan enters the nervous 90s.

After 37 overs,India 197/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 90 , MS Dhoni (W) 13)

Mathews brings spin back into play, with Gunathilaka returning to the attack. Having smashed a six earlier in the innings, Dhoni helps himself to his first boundary with a short-arm pull in the fourth delivery of the over, guiding it towards the long-leg boundary. Six off the over.

After 36 overs,India 191/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 89 , MS Dhoni (W) 8)

Gunaratne continues to bowl tight, and keep the batsmen on their toes, as Dhawan and Dhoni get three singles in this over. Dhawan, meanwhile, is approaching a milestone of his own at the moment.

After 35 overs,India 188/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 87 , MS Dhoni (W) 7)

Lakmal returns to the attack in this over. Dhoni gets off the mark in this over and how! Cuts the short, wide delivery over the deep backward point fielder’s head. Nine off the over.

Amazing for Sri Lanka to seek review of that lbw. Guess they got carried away with the wicket of Yuvraj Singh. Gunaratne was bowling from so wide of the crease and around the wicket that if the ball had pitched in line with the leg stump the angle would have taken the ball wide of the off stump. Dhoni was fully stretched forward and hence way in front when struck on the front pad. In any case can’t have Kohli and Dhoni failing on the same day!! We need Dhoni around for the next 15 overs.

After 34 overs,India 179/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 85 , MS Dhoni (W) 0)

Gunaratne introduced into the attack in the 34th over, and he strikes straightaway by getting rid of Yuvraj, who thuds his bat against a full delivery, and ends up dragging it onto the top of his stumps. MS Dhoni walks out to bat, and survives an lbw scare in the fifth ball of the over after the Sri Lankans lose a review while trying to overturn the umpire’s decision of not out.

Farewell @YUVSTRONG12! The Sri Lanka fans band plays him out! #INDvSL #CT17 pic.twitter.com/6dPqiQmP4X

— ICC (@ICC) June 8, 2017

OUT! **Yuvraj’**s struggles at the crease comes to an end, as he thuds his bat down the ground to a full-pitched delivery, and ends up dragging it onto the top of his stumps. Yuvraj never looked set at the crease today. Ind 179/3

Yuvraj b Gunaratne 7(18)

After 33 overs,India 178/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 84 , Yuvraj Singh 7)
 
Gunathilaka into his seventh over, and he gets four singles off it, with Dhawan collecting one off the last ball of the over to retain the strike. The umpires call for drinks at the end of this over, with the Dhawan-Yuvraj partnership climbing to 39 at the end of this over.

After 32 overs,India 174/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 82 , Yuvraj Singh 5)

Perera into his seventh over, and concedes four singles off it. Dhawan and Yuvraj are perhaps looking to rotate the strike between themselves right now. They will look to accelerate maybe towards the closing stages of the second powerplay.

Is Shikhar going to be ‘Da-Wan’ today? He has played himself in very well and is now opening out with cuts, drives and pulls. Looks set for a big score. Almost there at a run a ball. Lanka will be sent on a leather hunt if Shikhar is in there till the 40th over. The early loss of Virat Kohli is a disappointment. But with Shikhar striking the ball so well it will hardly be felt.

After 31 overs,India 170/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 80 , Yuvraj Singh 3)

Big appeal by Gunathilaka for lbw against Yuvraj in the third ball of the over, though it is turned down by umpire Tucker. Might have been turned down due to height. Gunathilaka possible saves a boundary in the following delivery after Yuvraj drives powerfull down the ground. Just a single off the over.

🦆 @imVkohli practices his technique on the long walk back to the pavilion after being dismissed without scoring at The Oval.#INDvSL #CT17 pic.twitter.com/X77VBa0eZL

— ICC (@ICC) June 8, 2017

After 30 overs,India 169/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 79 , Yuvraj Singh 3)

Perera returns to the attack. Dhawan shows some of his moves in the second delivery of the over while trying to make his mind up about taking a single. Three singles off the over, with Dhawan taking charge of the innings after the two quick dismissals.

Least innings to score 500 runs in any ICC tournament: 

7 – SHIKHAR DHAWAN in ICC CT

8 – Glenn Turner in WC 

8 – Sourav Ganguly in ICC CT

Least innings to score 500 runs in ICC Champions Trophy:

7 – SHIKHAR DHAWAN*

8 – Sourav Ganguly 

12 – Chris Gayle, Jacques Kallis

After 29 overs,India 166/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 77 , Yuvraj Singh 2)

Gunathilaka returns to the attack in the 29th over. Dhawan is offered width outside off, and he obliges with a cracking drive through the covers, making it a hat-trick of boundaries for him. Six off the over, including two singles.

The two lefties at the crease. Dhawan, well settled and Yuvraj in good nick. Both capable of clobbering the bowling attack. Could be a run feast if they hang around for 10 overs or so. India coasting but could do with some fireworks at this stage. They could put Lanka bowlers under plenty of pressure.

After 28 overs,India 160/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 72 , Yuvraj Singh 1)

Dhawan collects a couple of runs at the start of the over to bring up the 150 for India. Crunches back-to-back boundaries in the last two deliveries of the over to move into the 70s in this over. The placement by Dhawan on those two occasions was precise. 12 off this over.

After 27 overs,India 148/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 61 , Yuvraj Singh 0)

Dhawan smashes the second ball of the over towards the midwicket boundary to lift some of the pressure after the quick wickets in the last two overs. Dhawan then crunches the fifth ball through the covers to get his second boundary of the over, with none of the fielders moving a muscle. Nine off the over.

After 26 overs,India 139/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 52 , Yuvraj Singh 0)

Superb over by Pradeep, and the fact that he gets rid of Kohli for a duck gives the Sri Lankans some hope in his contest. Bowls a length delivery along the off-stump, and Kohli is cramped for room while looking for a nudge towards third man. Yuvraj Singh walks out to bat earlier than expected.

OUT! After ABD, it is India captain Virat Kohli’s to walk back for a duck! He was trying to guide that down third man, except he edged off the top of his bat to get caught behind! One massive blow for the Indians! India 139/2

Kohli c Dickwella b Pradeep 0(5)

Oh! No! Rains around ground. Will they come off? Not match threatening so far. But plenty around nevertheless. Shikhar Dhawan races to his 50  as India get to 138 for one from 25 overs. Dhawan and Rohit upped the scoring rate. But Rohit once again done in by short-pitched bowling. Not quick enough to move inside the line of the ball and smash it. Tries to help it on its way instead. Succeeds only in spooning a catch to the deep fielder. Look to India scoring briskly now on. Rain a real threat

After 25 overs,India 138/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 51 , Virat Kohli (C) 0)

Dhawan crunches a drive down the ground at the start of Malinga’s sixth over to bring up his 19th ODI fifty. Top-edge off Rohit’s bat three balls later, and he gets his third six as the ball clears the fine-leg fence. Malinga, though, has his revenge in the following delivery as Rohit pulls straight down fine-leg’s throat. Malinga somewhat improves his poor record against Rohit with that wicket. 11 off the over along with the dismissal.

OUT! Rohit was starting to get a little too ambitious, and ended up paying the price for it. Bouncer from Malinga, a little more in line with Rohit’s frame, and the batsman perishes after pulling it, and sending it down third man’s throat. India 138/1

Rohit c Perera b Malinga 78(79)

Players to score five consecutive 50-plus scores against Sri Lanka in ODIs:

Dean Jones

Navjot Singh Sidhu

Saeed Anwar 

Mohammad Azharuddin 

SHIKHAR DHAWAN*

This is Shikhar Dhawan’s fifth fifty-plus score in ICC Champions Trophy which is the joint second most by any player.

It’s an overcast morning in London, a bowling morning as some might call it but for Sri Lanka, things have just been gloomy. Lack of early wickets means they are really up against it now against this Indian opening pair. Rohit and Dhawan are simply unstoppable in ICC Champions Trophy. Thisara made the mistake of pitching it short to a well-set Rohit and got the punishment he deserved. Rohit is looking in ominous form now and is giving an exhibition of his trademark easy on the eye, languid stroke play. Sri Lanka really has to find a wicket from somewhere, at the moment a run out seems their most likely option.

FIFTY up for Shikhar Dhawan! HIs 19th in ODIs. Gets to the milestone with a cracking drive down the ground, taking 69 deliveries to get there.

FIFTY up for Shikhar Dhawan! HIs 19th in ODIs. Gets to the milestone with a cracking drive down the ground, taking 69 deliveries to get there.

After 24 overs,India 127/0 ( Rohit Sharma 72 , Shikhar Dhawan 46)

Half appeal by Perera for an lbw in the third ball of his fifth over. Realised halfway it was pitched outside Dhawan’s leg-stump, and pulled out of his appeal. Three runs off this over, with the umbrellas coming out at the Oval right now as it begins to drizzle.

After 24 overs,India 127/0 ( Rohit Sharma 72 , Shikhar Dhawan 46)

Half appeal by Perera for an lbw in the third ball of his fifth over. Realised halfway it was pitched outside Dhawan’s leg-stump, and pulled out of his appeal. Three runs off this over, with the umbrellas coming out at the Oval right now as it begins to drizzle.

After 23 overs,India 124/0 ( Rohit Sharma 71 , Shikhar Dhawan 45)

Malinga returns to the attack in the 23rd over, and packs the off-side while bowling to Dhawan. Starts off with a wide outside off. Rohit picks the gap between mid-off and extra-cover in the fourth delivery of the over to get his sixth boundary. Singles off the last two deliveries of the over, with eight coming off it.

Most partnership runs in ICC CT:
636* – SHIKHAR DHAWAN/ROHIT SHARMA*

635- Shiv Chanderpaul/Chris Gayle

What is Thisara Perera trying? Is he wanting to test the bounce of the pitch? Bowling bouncers at his friendly pace to well-settled, form batsman is a complete waste of time. Rohit helping himself to easy runs. Sri Lanka will pay mighty heavily for their sloppiness today

After 22 overs,India 117/0 ( Rohit Sharma 66 , Shikhar Dhawan 43)

Perera somewhat quietens things after a couple of big overs, giving away just two off this over. Rohit now has the license to go all-out at the attack for a while now, while Dhawan will look to maintain caution for some more time, until he brings up his own milestone.

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan’s pair becomes the first Indian pair to add three consecutive century stands in ODIs.

After 21 overs,India 114/0 ( Rohit Sharma 65 , Shikhar Dhawan 42)

Couple of runs collected by Rohit at the start of the over, before he dances down the ground, and goes for a well-timed inside-out shot down the ground, his fifth boundary. Seven off the over, with the Indians beginning to accelerate now.

Most century stands in ICC ODI tournaments:

6 – Adam Gilchrist/Matthew Hayden 

5 – ROHIT SHARMA/SHIKHAR DHAWAN*

5 – Tillakaratne Dilshan/Kumar Sangakkara

After 20 overs,India 107/0 ( Rohit Sharma 58 , Shikhar Dhawan 42)

Perera into his third over, and this turns out to be a good one for the Indians. Rohit smacks two sixes, both towards the leg side. The first one brings up his 31st ODI fifty, and third consecutive, while the second one is as flat as it gets, just about clearing the backward square-leg boundary. 13 off the over. The partnership is also in excess of 100 at the moment.

FIFTY for Rohit Dhawan, and boy has he rediscovered form in Indian colours! Brings the milestone up in style, pulling it towards the deep backward square-leg boundary, where Gunaratne palms it over the rope.

After 19 overs,India 94/0 ( Rohit Sharma 45 , Shikhar Dhawan 42)

Gunathilaka continues and Rohit, Shikhar milk easy singles off the first three balls. Danushka bowls it into Dhawan on the fourth ball and he punches it straight to midwicket. The Delhi batsman bunts the fifth ball back to the bowler. He ends the over with a beautiful cover drive for a brace.

After 18 overs,India 89/0 ( Rohit Sharma 43 , Shikhar Dhawan 39)

Rohit guides Thisra’s first delivery to third man for an easy single. Thisara follows up with a short of a length delivery and blocks it towards point. He wants a single, Rohit doesn’t. Remember, Rohit was run out in the previous game. He has been vigilant today. Dhawan gets off the strike on the third ball with a nude to backward square leg. The fourth ball is a dot. Ball five: Thisara pings Rohit on the pads and goes up. But the umpire is unmoved, the height was the issue and Sri Lanka don’t review. Rohit ends the over with a single to covers.

Nuwan Pradeep the paceman must be Sri Lanka’s best bowler. His five overs might have been economical. But unless Sri Lanka grab wickets they are not going to put pressure on this Indian team. Rohit Sharma and Dhawan have hit a rhythm and are setting a solid foundation for India’s power hitters to come later and flay the ball. India must fancy a score of over 300. They are racing to the 100 mark at close to six runs per over. That scoring rate will improve dramatically as the match goes on.

After 17 overs,India 86/0 ( Rohit Sharma 41 , Shikhar Dhawan 38)

Shout for lbw by Gunathilaka against Dhawan in the second delivery of his second over. Looked like it was missing leg on that occasion. Rohit sweeps the next delivery towards the fine-leg fence, where Malinga fails to stop the boundary despite a brave dive. Seven off the over. Drinks taken at the end of this over.

After 16 overs,India 79/0 ( Rohit Sharma 35 , Shikhar Dhawan 38)

Pradeep into his fifth over. Five singles off the over, with Dhawan collecting one in the penultimate delivery while lobbing the ball up in the air towards backward square-leg. He was surprised by the extra bounce on that occasion, and aborted his pull in the last second. Thankfully for him, no fielders were there in the catching arc. Rohit Sharma completes 1,000 ODI runs vs Sri Lanka with a single in the last delivery. 264 of them coming in a single innings alone back in November 2014.

Most ODI innings to score 1000 runs against Sri Lanka:

49 – Shahid Afridi 

38 – Yuvraj Singh 

37 – Suresh Raina 

36 – ROHIT SHARMA*

34 – Younis Khan

After 15 overs,India 74/0 ( Rohit Sharma 32 , Shikhar Dhawan 36)

Spin introduced for the first time in this innings, with Gunathilaka being tossed the ball. Dhawan brings his bat down in a paddle sweep in the first ball, gets a bit of faint edge, and the ball runs off to the fine-eg fence. Two singles in the remainder of the over, with six coming off it.

After 14 overs,India 68/0 ( Rohit Sharma 31 , Shikhar Dhawan 31)

Rohit pushes the fourth delivery of the over towards the leg side, getting enough time to collect a couple of runs. Three singles in the remainder of the over, with five coming off it. Another good start by Dhawan and Rohit, with both batsmen batting on 31 at the end of the over.

After 13 overs,India 63/0 ( Rohit Sharma 28 , Shikhar Dhawan 29)

Thisara Perera introduced into the attack in the 12th over. Singles exchanged in the second and third deliveries of the over. Rohit pulls the final delivery of the over towards backward square-leg to collect a couple of runs, with four coming off this over.

Most 50-plus stands in ICC ODI tournaments for India:

9 – ROHIT SHARMA/SHIKHAR DHAWAN*
8 – Sourav Ganguly/Sachin Tendulkar 
8 – Virender Sehwag/Sachin Tendulkar

The fans are certainly enjoying in the stands. 

Good organisation from these @BCCI fans! 👌🏻 #INDvSL #CT17 pic.twitter.com/kp7XXtHn7k

— ICC (@ICC) June 8, 2017

After 12 overs,India 59/0 ( Rohit Sharma 25 , Shikhar Dhawan 28)

Beautiful drive by Rohit in the second delivery of the over, though he gets only two runs as the ball slows down near the boundary rope. Five wides conceded in the fourth delivery, with the bouncer going high over the batsman’s head as well as the keeper’s gloves on that occasion. Eight off this over.

Indian pairs to add 1000-plus runs ICC ODI tournaments:

Virender Sehwag/Sachin Tendulkar 

Rahul Dravid/Sourav Ganguly 

Sourav Ganguly/Sachin Tendulkar 

SHIKHAR DHAWAN/ROHIT SHARMA*

Still no signs of a wicket for Sri Lanka. Pradeep could have run Rohit out if he had managed to hit the stumps at the non strikers end in his first over. Pradeep was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka against South Africa in the last game and he has again started well here. Sri Lanka desperately needs to create an opening for a wicket somehow. They have strong bowlers at the death but they will be rendered useless if India has something like 7 wickets in hands in the last 5 overs.

Most 50-plus stands in ICC ODI tournaments:

14 – Adam Gilchrist/Matthew Hayden

9 – SHIKHAR DHAWAN/ROHIT SHARMA*

Most 50-plus stands in ICC Champions Trophy:

6 – Rohit Sharma/Shikhar Dhawan* 

5 – Shiv Chanderpaul/Chris Gayle

After 11 overs,India 51/0 ( Rohit Sharma 22 , Shikhar Dhawan 28)

The fifty-stand between Rohit and Dhawan is completed in the second delivery of the over. Just three from the over, with the opening duo progressing quietly at the moment.

Always a pleasure to see Rohit Sharma striking the ball. He looks so unhurried and fluent with that lovely backlift and lovelier follow through. Importantly he does not try to whack the ball. Just caress it with great timing and finesse. His partner Dhawan can come down hard on the ball, but every now and then shows the effectiveness of his touch play. Loves to work the ball to the on but can also cut quite fiercely. The score of 48 for no loss from 10 overs shows the pair playing to plan and in no hurry to dominate proceedings.

After 10 overs,India 48/0 ( Rohit Sharma 20 , Shikhar Dhawan 28)

Pradeep continues from the other end. Rohit tries going for a paddle sweep in the fourth delivery, but has to set off for a quick single due to the presence of a short fine-leg. India end up collecting 48 runs in the first powerplay — they are known to be one of the slowest in this phase of the innings, in contrast to Sri Lanka, who are among the top scorers in the first 10 overs.

After 9 overs,India 46/0 ( Rohit Sharma 19 , Shikhar Dhawan 27)

Change of ends for Lakmal. Rohit pulls a length delivery along the middle stump towards the vacant backward square-leg region, with the ball landing just short of the boundary rope. Singles exchanged in the subsequent deliveries. Rohit punches the last delivery towards the deep point boundary, with 10 coming off this over.

After 8 overs,India 36/0 ( Rohit Sharma 10 , Shikhar Dhawan 26)

Nuwan Pradeep introduced into the attack in the eighth over of the innings. Rohit and Dhawan exchange a couple of risky singles at the start of the over, and Rohit might have been walking back too the pavilion had Pradeep thrown more accurately at the non-striker’s end in the second delivery. Rohit cuts the last delivery towards third man, where the ball lands just short of the fielder.

After 7 overs,India 32/0 ( Rohit Sharma 8 , Shikhar Dhawan 24)

Three dots at the start of Malinga’s third over, bowling a slower one in the second delivery. Dhawan cuts powerfully in the fourth delivery, but the cover fielder takes some momentum away from the ball with his dive, and saves a run for the Lankans. Two singles in the last two deliveries, with five coming off the over.

Shikhar Dhawan against Sri Lanka:

First 4 ODIs: 68, 24, 15, 16

Next 4 ODIs: 94, 113, 79, 91

How much he will score today?

Another trademark Indian opening start. Not in too much of a hurry. Except when the Lankan bowlers were wayward. Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have been content to play each ball on its merit and to their strength. Going at around four runs per over. They are playing themselves in and unraveling the mysteries of this pitch. No seam and swing for the bowlers thus far

Steady start from both teams. No swing yet for the Sri Lankan bowlers. Both Malinga and Lakmal gave width early to the Indian openers and were duly dispatched for boundaries. Since then they have managed to keep Dhawan and Rohit relatively quiet by pitching it up and bowling straight.

After 6 overs,India 27/0 ( Rohit Sharma 7 , Shikhar Dhawan 20)

Rohit sets off for a quick single in the first ball of the innings. Good use of the feet by Dhawan in the third delivery, punching it through extra-cover to get his third boundary. Gets a top-edge next delivery, finding the fine-leg boundary on this occasion. Big over for the Indians, with 10 coming off it.

After 5 overs,India 17/0 ( Rohit Sharma 6 , Shikhar Dhawan 11)

Rohit cuts the first delivery towards third man, but gets only a single on the occasion. Couple of deadly yorkers fired by Malinga in the next two deliveries, with the ball narrowly missing Dhawan’s off-stump in the second delivery. Crisp drive towards the extra-cover boundary by Dhawan to end the over, with five coming off it.

After 4 overs,India 12/0 ( Rohit Sharma 5 , Shikhar Dhawan 7)

Dhawan punches the second delivery of the over towards point, but is prevented from getting a boundary thanks to sharp efforts by the fielder stationed there. The Sri Lankan fielding has been nippy so far, and that is one of the areas Sri Lanka have shown improvement in this game in so far. Maiden for Lakmal in his second over.

After 3 overs,India 12/0 ( Rohit Sharma 5 , Shikhar Dhawan 7)

A tidier over by Malinga, giving away just two singles in this one. We have Flintoff sitting in the stands, watching the game at the moment, and is shown on the giant screen at the venue.

Rohit Sharma’s batting average against Angelo Mathews in ODIs is only 10.33. Moreover, Mathews has dismissed Rohit Sharma six times in ODIs which is the most times any bowler has dismissed him in ODIs. But unfortunately for Sri Lanka, their captain is not fit enough to bowl today.

After 2 overs,India 10/0 ( Rohit Sharma 4 , Shikhar Dhawan 6)

Lakmal bowling from the other end. Sharp fielding by the fielder at point after a punch by Dhawan. Short and wide in the second delivery, and the left-handed opener punches this one just wide of backward point. Dhawan responds with a peach of a delivery that beats Dhawan’s defence completely. Six off the over, including a double in the fifth delivery of the over.

One of the hazards of playing an ODI in the first half of the English summer is the Duckworth Lewis Rain Rule. Weaker teams, like Sri Lanka in this case, would any day opt to insert the opposition and take their chances with the rain rule. It is possible that Pakistan may not have won yesterday but for batting second and getting the win through DL. Likewise good teams would now have to wary of the toss and the rains, rather than the strengths on the cricket field. Imagine if Australia’s final league match too was washed out. They’d have just three points from three matches. In that case England would be joined by the winners of the New Zealand Vs Bangladesh match in the semifinal!

Of course Pakistan’s win over South Africa has thrown open the other pool. Thus India cannot afford to relax. They need to down Sri Lanka today.

After 1 overs,India 4/0 ( Rohit Sharma 4 , Shikhar Dhawan 0)

Malinga starts off with a length delivery outside off, and Rohit has all the time in the world to punch it through cover point to get a boundary first ball. Five dots follow in the remainder of the over.

The national anthems sung, Rohit and Dhawan walk out to bat at the start of the India innings. Malinga to bowl the first over of the innings.

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have added 518 runs from six innings in ICC Champions Trophy history at an average of 86.33 which is the second most by any pair.

Sri Lanka have won an important toss. Matthews talked about the threat of India’s strong bowling line up in these conditions and he wouldn’t want his batsmen to face up to them first under overcast conditions. Also, if Duckworth Lewis comes into play then Sri Lankans will know exactly what they will be chasing. They were disciplined with the new ball against South Africa, they will look to do the same in this game. Some early wickets can put pressure on India’s middle order that is slightly short of match practice in these conditions. Matthews coming back into the team as skipper is a big plus even though they are missing Tharanga and Kapugedara

Most matches between two teams in ODI cricket:

150 – INDIA v SRI LANKA*

147 – Pakistan v Sri Lanka 

139 – Australia v West Indies

Time for the national anthems.

India’s average runs per wicket of 42.15 post ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 which is the highest for any team.

Sri Lanka team: Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathilaka,   Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep.

Three changes in the Lankan team. Gunathikala replaces the suspended Tharanga at the top of the order. Mathews and Perera come in place of Kapugedera and Prasanna.

Sri Lanka’s win/loss ratio of 0.619 in ODIs post ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 is the worst among top-8 ranked teams currently.

India team: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), Yuvraj Singh, Hardik Pandya, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah. 

The Indians go for an unchanged team this match.

Toss: Sri Lanka win the toss, and captain Angelo Mathews (who returns after injury), elects to field. Mathews announces three changes in the Sri Lankan team, with him and Thisara Perera returning the side.

Should MS Dhoni  bat at No 4 against Sri Lanka?

Lasith Malinga has achieved great deal of success in Sri Lankan colours over the years, but has always found the going tough against India. Can he change it today?

India are on a fine run in the Champions Trophy. They will be looking to further improve it against Sri Lanka later today

A peep into the changing rooms ahead of the big game

The changing rooms are looking in splendid condition ahead of #IndvSL. Who are you supporting? #CT17 pic.twitter.com/EIcfoTCyOP

— ICC (@ICC) June 8, 2017

Virat Kohli and Co seemed in good spirits as they arrived at the venue earlier today

The fans are out in force as India arrive at The Oval #IndvSL #CT17 pic.twitter.com/CgQe6KtAmR

— ICC (@ICC) June 8, 2017