Sri Lanka have beaten the odds and come up victorious in the first ODI versus India in Dharamsala. They have ended their losing streak with a thumping victory over the Indians. They did not get to the best of starts in the run chase after losing tow wickets early. But Tharanga being out of a no-ball changed the momentum completely. A blazing 49 by him set the game up for the Lankans. Angelo Mathews gave him good support and he along with Niroshan Dickwella ensured there were no further hiccups once the opener departed.
India on the other hand, started off really well with the new ball. They beat the bat a lot of times and also pegged the away side twice early on. But the partnership between Mathews and Tharanga took the game away from them. Nobody apart from Bumrah was able to keep it tight. Both Pandya and Kumar leaked runs which then made it impossible for India to defend this small total. (SCORECARD)
HIGHLIGHTS, INDIA vs SRI LANKA, 1ST ODI AT DHARAMSALA
17.28 IST: Man of the Match, Suranga Lakmal, says he is very happy today. Informs he works very hard on his fitness which enables him to bowl the long spells. Also credits the coaching staff for the way he has been bowling.
17.25 IST: Sri Lankan skipper, Thisara Perera, credits their bowlers as they have done really well. He says they were disciplined and were hitting the right lengths. Feels this is a unplayable wicket and he did not expect such a wicket. He expected a score around 250 but due to the their good bowling they restricted them to a low total. Praises Suranga Lakmal saying that he is our spearhead over all formats. Adds further Tharanga gave them a good start and laid the platform for them. Ends by saying everything went their way today.
17.20 IST: Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma says, they were not up to the mark with the bat. He further adds the bowlers did try their best. He feels 70 to 80 runs more and it would have been a different game. Admits not always you will get to play on flat pitches and they want to strive on these conditions. Credits Dhoni for his innings by saying he has done it a lot of times and if he would have got support from the rest it would have made a difference. Ends by saying it is not such a great experience being on the losing side in your first match as captain.
17.15 IST: Angelo Mathews says this is a special win and they kept working really hard in the nets for this. Further adds they still have two more games to go and they can't relax. Admits you can't give India a sniff and you always have to put your foot on their throat. Credits the bowlers, especially Lakmal and also appreciates the fielding. Opines he never thought the ball would move as much as it did. Mentions it is a big confidence booster for them but they can't be complacent. Informs he feels comfortable to bowl in the shorter format and it is the longer format in which he struggles.
17.08 IST: FOUR! Mathews finishes it off in style! He drives the full ball on off down to mid off for a boundary. They break their losing streak and now finally have a win after 12 games. Mathews pumps the fist after it crosses the rope. All smiles in the Sri Lanka camp as they WIN BY 7 WICKETS!
17.06 IST: Back of a length on off, Dickwella defended it off the back foot. 9 runs from the over. SL 109/3 in 20 overs
17.03 IST: FOUR! Dickwella wants to finish it in this over. Fuller in length on middle, flicks it over mid-wicket for a boundary. Just 5 away from taking a 1-0 lead. SL 108/3 in 19.2 overs
17.02 IST: FOUR! Up and over but the fielders in the in-field. Full ball outside off, Dickwella drives it over covers for a boundary. 13 runs needed now. SL 104/3 in 19.1 overs
16.59 IST: FOUR! Short and on the hips of the batsman. Dickwella gets into position quickly and pulls it through square leg for a boundary. SL 99/3 18.3 overs
16.56 IST: FOUR! Sloppy in the field by Kumar! Short and wide outside off, Mathews cuts it uppishly through point. Kumar runs to his right, get to the ball but lets it through his legs for a boundary. SL 95/3 in 18 overs
16.52 IST: FOUR! Inside edge and through! Pandya has been really expensive today! He bowls it on a length outside off, Dickwella goes at it with hard hands but ends up getting a thick inside edge which evades the stumps and rolls towards the fine leg fence for a boundary to end the over. SL 91/3 in 17 overs
16.48 IST: FOUR! They are now looking to finish it in a hurry! A length ball around off by Bumrah. Mathews drives it on the up, through covers for a boundary. SL 85/3 in 16 overs
16.46 IST: FOUR! CRUNCHED! Mathews was so much in control of that shot! Bumrah bangs it short on middle, Mathews rocks back, gets on top of the bounce, rolls his writs over it and pulls it along the ground, through square leg for a boundary. SL 81/3 in 15.3 overs
Jasprit Bumrah comes back into the attack.
16.41 IST: FOUR! One of the hardest shots in the game and Mathews has made it look very easy! Fuller in length on middle by Pandya. Angelo on drives it and fetches himself a boundary. Only 3 short of 40 needed. SL 76/3 in 15 overs
16.37 IST: FOUR! WOW! A pick-up shot, that's what you can call this one. Length by Kumar on middle, Dickwella stands tall and just flicks it over mid-wicket for a boundary. SL 72/3 in 14 overs
16.35 IST: BEAUTY! Kumar bent his back on that one. He bowls it on a length around middle, gets it to shape away. The ball also bounces extra. Dickwella tries to defend it off the back foot but gets beaten. SL 66/3 in 13.2 overs
Niroshan Dickwella walks out to the middle.
16.32 IST: OUT! But a bit too late for India? Pandya finally gets it right and he gets a wicket. He lands it on a length around off, gets it to shape away a touch. Tharanga tries to drive it on the up but gets an outside edge to Dhawan at first slip who takes it on the second attempt. Upul has to walk back one shot of a fifty. But he has surely done his job. He got a reprieve early on but take nothing away form his innings. It was a very entertaining one. Sri Lanka now need 48 runs more. SL 65/3 in 12.3 overs
16.29 IST: FOUR! He changes his length and tries to bowl it short. Tharanga is up for the challenge as he pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. SL 65/2 in 12.1 overs
16.27 IST: Edged but short! Length around off, angles away from the batsman. Tharanga tries to defend but it takes the outside edge which lands short of Shikhar. He fumbles and concedes a run. SL 60/2 in 12 overs
Change of ends for Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
16.23 IST: FIVE WIDES! It is all going wrong here for India! Pandya drifts it down the leg side and it swings away further. Beating the diving Dhoni and into the fine leg fence. 14 runs from the over so far. SL 56/2 in 11 overs
16.21 IST: FOUR! And again! Tharanga has raced on to 43! He again gets a half-volley around off. Tharanga again drives it through covers to fetch himself a boundary. His ninth so far. Also 50 up for India. SL 51/2 in 10.5 overs
16.20 IST: FOUR! India are just not learning here! You keep feeding him there and he will do that all day. He gets another full ball outside off, Tharanga presses forward and drives it through covers for a boundary. SL 47/2 in 10.4 overs
Hardik Pandya is brought into the attack.
16.17 IST: FOUR! Too easy! You can't bowl there to this guy. He bowls it full outside off, Tharanga leans into it and drives it through covers for a boundary. Only 71 needed now. Tharanga has quickly moved onto 35. SL 42/2 in 10 overs
16.15 IST: FOUR! Similar result in the similar area like the last one. Another yorker by Bumrah this time. Tharanga once again makes room and tries to jam it out but the ball goes off the inside edge, onto his pads and then beats the diving Dhoni for a boundary. SL 35/2 in 9.2 overs
16.13 IST: NO BALL! He is finding way to bowl no balls! He knocks the bails off the stumps with his leg for which he is penalized. Good length on middle by Bumrah. Tharanga defends it to mid-wicket. Another free hit coming up.SL 31/2 in 9.1 overs
16.10 IST: FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! This is should release the pressure! On middle this time by Kumar, Tharanga flicks it uppishly over mid on and fetches himself a boundary. 85 runs needed now. SL 28/2 in 8.2 overs
16.09 IST: FOUR! You need not run for those! Fuller in length outside off, Tharanga drives it uppishly thorugh cover-point for a boundary. SL 24/2 in 8.1 overs
16.08 IST: Short and wide outside off, a lot of width on offer. Mathews goes after it with minimal foot movement but gets beaten. Just a single from the over. SL 20/2 in 8 overs
16.03 IST: WICKET MAIDEN! A yorker outside off from Bhuvneshwar, Mathews tries to jam it out through the off side but gets beaten. SL 19/2 in 7 overs
Angelo Mathews is the new man in.
15.57 IST: OUT! NO HE HAS NOT! LAHIRU DRAGS IT ON! India fighting their way back into the game. A big wicket as Thirimanne was in decent form. An excellent delivery from Kumar to get his first. He lands it on a length around off, gets it to shape back in. Thirimanne tries to defend it off the back foot but is undone by the inswing as he gets an inside edge onto the the stumps. They go upstairs to check for the no ball. The first replay isn't conclusive as the batsman is in the way. The second is also not as there is a fielder who in the way. After the third one, the umpire decides to give it out and Thirimanne is walking back. Sri Lanka need 94 with 8 wickets in hand. SL 19/1 in 6.1 overs overs
It's all happening here. Thirimanne is bowled but the excitement of the Indians has been cut short by the umpire as he again wants to have a look at the landing...
15.56 IST: FOUR! To add salt to the wound, the ball takes the inside edge and goes down to fine leg for a boundary. Bumrah bowls a perfect yorker on middle, Tharanga tries to jam it out but instead gets an inside edge through fine leg. SL 19/1 in 5.5 overs
15.55 IST: CAUGHT OF A NO BALL! He has overstepped! Oh Bumrah! He comes running in and lands it around off, gets it to shape away. Tharanga tries to defend but the ball goes off the edge to third slip who takes it. Upul starts walking back but he is asked to wait by the umpire as they are going upstairs to check for a no ball. Replays roll in and guess what, Jasprit has overstepped. A reprieve for Tharanga, Sri Lanka will breathe a sigh of a relief. Free hit coming up though.
15.48 IST: FOUR! Delightful! Fuller in length outside off, Tharanga feeds for such deliveries. He presses forward and drives it through covers for a boundary. SL 11/1 in 4.2 overs
Lahiru Thirimanne walks out to the middle.
15.45 IST: OUT! First one down! Bumrah strikes! You could see Gunathilaka getting frustrated and he tried counterattacking but it brought his down fall. Bumrah serves a full ball outside off, Gunathilaka backs away and tries to go big but the ball takes the outside edge to the Dhoni who takes it. A needless shot by Gunathilaka to be honest. Nevertheless. the Indians are ecstatic. 106 more needed now. SL 7/1 in 4 overs
15.40 IST: FOUR! This should get him going! Tharanga just loves it there. Full and outside off by Kumar. Upul leans into it and drives it past the diving point fielder for a boundary. First of this innings. IND 7/0 in 2.4 overs
15.38 IST: EDGE BUT DOES NOT CARRY! Length around off, gets it to shape away. Tharanga tries to defend but gets an outside edge between second slip and gully. The fielder at gully dives to his right and makes a half stop. The batsmen take a run. IND 3/0 in 2 overs
Jasprit Bumrah will bowl with the second new ball. He too has two slips in place.
15.34 IST: BEATEN! Good start by Bhuvi. He lands it on a length around off, gets it to shape away. Gunathilaka is beaten as he tries to defend. Two runs off the first over. SL 2/0 in 1 over
15.27 IST: We are back for the chase. 113 is what India have to defend and early wickets are the call for the hour. They walk out to the middle with the umpires. For Sri Lanka, one partnership is all they need to chase this target down. Upul Tharanga and Danushka Gunathilaka will open the batting for them. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will bowl the first over. If there is any swing available, he will be the one to exploit it. He has two slips in place. Here we go...
14.45 IST: OUT! That is it! Sri Lanka finally get the last wicket but a brilliant, brilliant innings by Dhoni comes to an end. Perera will be relieved he finally mistimes one. He bowls it full outside off. Dhoni again tries to go big but this time his bat turns in his hand and he only manages to hit it up in the air, towards sweeper cover where Gunathilaka settles himself under it and takes it easily. So, INDIA HAVE BEEN BOWLED OUT FOR 113!
14.44 IST: FOUR! Too easy for Dhoni! Short and wide outside off, by Perera who has just come into the attack. Dhoni cuts it through point for a boundary. IND 112/9 in 38.1 overs
14.43 IST: MAIDEN! A yorker but the line is wrong, it is outside off. Chahal tries to jam it out but gets beaten. Pradeep now has one ball left in this over to get his man. IND 108/9 in 38 overs
14.37 IST: FOUR! BRUTE! Save your hands Pathirana! Dhoni again shimmies down the track and hits it with a lot of power, past the bowler for a boundary. IND 108/9 in 37 overs
14.35 IST: SIX! BANG! Massive! 100 up for India with that biggie. He comes down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and hits it over mid-wicket for a maximum. IND 104/9 in 36.3 overs
14.32 IST: FOUR! Fifty for Dhoni, it is his 67th in ODIs and 19th against Lanka. How many time have we seen him doing this with the tail. What an absolute legend this guy is. He has fought a lone battle out there today. Coming to the ball now, Pradeep bowls a full toss, a gift on off. Dhoni times his cover drive through covers to fetch himself a boundary. IND 97/9 in 35.5 overs
14.29 IST: SIX! Stand and deliver! That is what he has to do now. Pradeep bowls it in his arc, on a length around off. Dhoni lofts it over the long off fence for a maximum. The first of the game. He is four away from a superb half century. IND 93/9 in 35.1 overs
Yuzvendra Chahal is the last man in. He has 4 balls to survive in this over.
14.25 IST: OUT! BOWLED"EM! What was Bumrah trying to do there! Completely needless and Dhoni at the other end is disgusted. Pathirana bowls it slower and tosses it up on middle. Bumrah is tempted and he tries to go big seeing the flight. He misses the ball completely and it goes on to hit the middle stump. He was defending the ball well, not sure what went through his mind at that moment. Nine down now, can they score another 13 to reach 100? IND 87/9 in 34.3 overs
14.20 IST: NOT OUT! The impact is outside the line! Brilliant from Dhoni, he had a clear view from the non-striker's end and he was spot on. Pathirana bowls it flatter on off, gets it to turn away. Bumrah goes back and tries to defend but misses and is struck on the pads. The Lankan players appeal and the umpire raises his finer. Dhoni at the non-striker's end straightaway signals for the review and the umpire goes upstairs. Replays roll in and guess what the impact is outside off. The decision has to be overturned and Bumrah survives. Excellent use of the DRS by Dhoni. IND 87/8 in 33 overs
14.18 IST: Bumrah has been adjudged LBW but Dhoni immediately signals for the review from the other end. Impact is the issue.
14.15 IST: Floats it up on off, Dhoni comes down the track and drives it hard past the bowler. Perera runs to his right and dives to stop the ball. He makes a half-stop. The batsmen first think of taking a run but after seeing Perera parry the ball they go for it. Thisara is quick to recover as he picks the ball up and hits bull's eye at the striker's end but Bumrah makes his crease. IND 86/8 in 32 overs
14.10 IST: FOUR! Smashed! Pathirana drops it short outside off, Dhoni camps back and thwacks it through covers for a boundary. IND 84/8 in 30.3 overs
Sachith Pathirana is into the attack.
14.08 IST: MAIDEN! Bumrah played it really late! Quicker and flatter through the air, Bumrah goes back to defend but gets an inside edge as the ball rolls towards square leg. Sri Lanka is giving nothing away at the moment, brilliant bowling from the visitors. IND 80/8 in 30 overs
14.00 IST: FOUR! Boom! This has to come as Dhoni won't be taking those singles. Akila drops it on a length around middle, Dhoni dances down the track and whips it between square leg and mid-wicket for a boundary. IND 80/8 in 28 overs
13.55 IST: Drinks! Sri Lanka are right on top. The Dhoni-Kuldeep partnership may have frustrated them but they have finally got the latter out. MS would now look to score quickly and also keep much of the strike. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, would look to clean the tail up as quickly as possible.
13.54 IST: A loud shout for an LBW! Not given! Fuller in length and angling in from outside off, Dhoni tries to work it away on the leg side but seems to have gotten an inside edge. The ball rolls towards third man and the batsmen is busy to cross. Perera appeals long and hard but the umpire turns it down. He then signals it as a leg bye too. Interesting! IND 75/8 in 27 overs
13.51 IST: FOUR! Dhoni is having luck by his side! A full toss and it's on the stumps, Dhoni has a full swing at it but gets an inside edge which evades the leg stump and races down to the fine leg fence for a streaky boundary. IND 74/8 in 26.1 overs
Jasprit Bumrah is the new man in.
13.48 IST: OUT! Akila breaks the 41-run stand! Perera was expensive but the bowling change has done the trick for him. Dananjaya tosses it up around off, Kuldeep Yadav presses forward to defend but the ball dips and then turns away to beat the outside edge. Dickwella collects the ball and dislodges the bails in a flash. They take it upstairs and the TV umpire after having a look at it from various angles feels the back foot was firmly on the line and there was nothing inside the crease. Fair call! Sri Lanka can breathe a sigh of relief again. IND 70/8 in 25.3 overs
13.44 IST: Goodness me! Dickwella takes the bails off quickly and is confident that Kuldeep hasn't dragged his feet behind. A stumping appeal is taken upstairs...
Spin time. Akila Dananjaya is brought into the attack. The move is maybe because the seamers have gone for runs in the last few overs.
13.42 IST: FOUR! Second of the over! On the leg stump, too easy for Kuldeep. He uses the pace and flicks it fine on the leg side to fetch himself a boundary. IND 69/7 in 25 overs
13.39 IST: FOUR! Excellent start to the over! Short and wide by Perera. This time, Dhoni makes full use of the width and cuts it through point, uppishly but in the gap for a boundary. IND 64/7 in 24.1 overs
13.38 IST: FOUR! These two are dealing in boundaries. The partnership is now worth 31. Full and outside off by Pradeep. Kuldeep drives it through covers to fetch himself a boundary. IND 60/7 in 24 overs
13.35 IST: FOUR! They need many more! Pradeep bangs it in short, assuming Dhoni would step down the track. He does not, he stays in his crease and pulls it but not off the middle, down towards fine leg. The fielder there makes good ground, puts in a dive but all in vain as he touches the boundary as he stops it. With that boundary, India also pass their lowest ever total in ODIs. IND 55/7 in 23.2 overs
13.33 IST: Just ahead of a length on off, Dhoni tries to pushes it through the off side but gets an inside edge onto his pads. He wants a single but there ain't one. IND 50/7 in 23 overs
13.30 IST: FOUR! The inside edge give India a boundary now! The crowd finally has something to cheer about. A flurry of boundaries in the last two overs. MS comes down the track and tries to go big but gets an inside edge past the stumps and down to the fine leg fence. IND 48/7 in 22.1 overs
13.28 IST: FOUR! Edgy but Kuldeep will take it. Pradeep comes around the wicket and lands it on a length around off, gets it to straighten. Yadav tries to defend but gets an outside edge through the vacant second slip area for a boundary. This will be frustrating Sri Lanka. IND 44/7 in 22 overs
13.26 IST: FOUR! That was very nicely played! Pradeep bowls it on middle, Kuldeep uses his wrist very well and flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. IND 40/7 in 21.3 overs
13.21 IST: FOUR! BRILLIANT! He finally comes down the track and connects one. He gets a length ball on off, Dhoni shimmies down the track and hits it hard through mid off for a boundary. IND 34/7 in 20.3 overs
The skipper, Thisara Perera brings himself into the attack, replacing Lakmal.
13.17 IST: NOT OUT! Again, Lanka don't lose a review! Pradeep bowls it on length around middle, Dhoni comes down the track and tries to flick but misses. The ball hits him on the pads and the players appeal. In the meantime, the slip fielder scores a direct hit at the striker's end and the players appeal for a run out too. First they check for the LBW. Replays roll in and it shows there is no inside edge. Also, it is umpire's call on Hawk Eye. The on-field decision stays. They now check for the run out and Dhoni has plonked his bat in before the ball hits the stump and MS lives to fight another day. IND 29/7 in 19.3 overs
13.15 IST: Another review taken against Dhoni for LBW! He has way down the pitch so the height can be an issue.
13.13 IST: Another maiden on the trot! Lakmal gets his fifer! No... the umpire does not agree with the appeal! Lakmal bowls another inswinging, fuller in length delivery on middle. Kuldeep tries to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. Suranga appeals but the umpire shakes his head. Replays, later on, show it would have missed leg stump. Nevertheless, end of an excellent spell by Lakmal. He finishes off with figures of 10-4-13-4 wickets. BRILLIANT! He gets a standing ovation from the dressing room as he goes to his fielding position. IND 29/7 in 19 overs
13.08 IST: MAIDEN! Again MS Dhoni comes down the track as he done throughout his innings to negotiate the swing. He defends the length ball towards mid-off. IND 29/7 in 18 overs
Kuldeep Yadav is the next man in.
13.02 IST: OUT! Edged and taken! Lakmal has his hands aloft and takes off for a celebratory run. Mind you, this is his 9th over in a row and has picked up a 4-fer already. Beautiful delivery! Drops it on a length just around off, making the Bhuvneshwar play at it. He does so but there is a bit of away movement which takes the outside edge and Dickwella behind the stumps accepts a regulation catch. IND 29/7 in 16.4 overs
12.56 IST: NOT OUT! It is not three in three for the Lankans. They don't lose a review though as it remains umpires call. Pradeep bowls it on a length around off, gets it to shape back in sharply. Kumar tries to keep it out off the back foot but gets beaten to get hit on the pads. The Lankans make a loud appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Pradeep can't believe it as he though he has got his man. He wants his captain to review it and he does so. Replays show, the bat was very close to the pad as he tried to defend but the third umpire is convinced it is pad first. Haw Eye shows it is clipping the top of leg and it is umpire's call. Kumar survives! Dhoni at the non-striker's end breathes a sigh of relief. IND 28/6 in 15.4 overs
12.55 IST: Review time! Sri Lanka have taken a review for LBW against Kumar. They have gotten two right, can they get third? It does look close.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar walks out at no. 8. He had a decent outing with the bat last time these two sides met and India would hope they replicate the same.
12.53 IST: OUT! They are falling like a pack of cards here! Pandya's short stay comes to an end. He looked confident but is undone by a beautiful outswinger. Pradeep lands it on a length around off, gets it to shape away. Pandya first thinks of playing at it but then tries to take his bat away. He is late to do so and the ball takes the bottom edge and goes into the hands of first slip who takes it easily and then throws it up in the air in joy. Another huge wicket for the Lankas. Hardik has had an excellent year and the Lankan lions will be delightful to see the back of his as he could take the game away. The away side are into the tail now and they would want to clean ut up early. IND 28/6 in 15.2 overs
12.51 IST: Dhoni pulls out very, very late. Pradeep had delivered the delivery and then Dhoni backs away. He signals at the sightscreen as there might be someone walking behind it.
12.49 IST: FOUR! Exquisite! Fuller in length around off from Lakmal, a half-volley. Pandya presses forward and drives it through covers for a boundary. IND 27/5 in 15 overs
12.44 IST: FOUR! Streaky but Pandya won't mind. He is off the mark. Pradeep lands it around off on a fullish length. Pandey tries to drive but gets an outside edge away from the second slip fielder and down towards the third man boundary. This is only the second boundary of the innings. IND 20/5 in 14 overs
Hardik Pandya walks out to the middle. He has built a reputation to counter-attack. Let's see what can he do today.
12.41 IST: OUT! CHOPS IT ON! Iyer never looked comfortable and was playing too far from his body and that has brought his down fall. Pradeep lands it on a length outside off, Shreyas is in two minds whether to play at it or leave it. He eventually tries to dab it down to third man but he gets an inside edge and the ball goes on to shatter the off pole. India have half their side back and the score is not even 20. Brilliant display of fast bowling by the Lankans and they now have India staring down the barrel. IND 16/5 in 13.2 overs
Drinks! Also, MS Dhoni walks out to the middle. He has saved India on many occasions and he has to do it today.
12.37 IST: OUT! Another one bites the dust! Lakmal gets his third and Pandey, this time like the other three walks back for a single digit score. Another brilliant delivery by Lakmal. He lands it around off, gets it to shape back in and then straighten. Pandey is squared up as he tries to flick. The ball takes the edge and goes to first slip who pouches it. Also this is good captaincy by Perera as this is an extended spell by Lakmal and he has delivered. India are in big, big trouble now. SL 16/4 in 12.5 overs
12.35 IST: Iyer is not looking comfortable out there but is still finding a way to survive! Lakmal bowls it just short of a length on off, bounces a touch extra. Iyer tries to push it through the off side, but gets an inside edge, between his legs and towards square leg for a run. IND 16/3 in 12.3 overs
12.31 IST: Another appeal! Nuwan lands it on a length around off, gets it to come back after pitching, sharply. Iyer tries to defend it off the back foot but gets beaten and is struck on the pads. The players appeal and the umpire shakes his head. Replays later show the ball would have clipped the top of leg stump and the on-field call would have stayed. IND 14/3 in 12 overs
Nuwan Pradeep is into the attack. He is coming back after injury and he would want to continue the good work by the opening bowlers.
12.26 IST: In the air... but just short! Excellent effort by Gunathilaka! Lakmal lands it on a length around middle, the ball shapes away a touch. Pandey tries to flick but gets a leading edge towards point. The fielder there, runs ahead and dives towards the ball but it falls just short of him. IND 12/3 in 11 overs
Power Play 2 has been signalled. A maximum of 4 fielders can be placed outside the circle till the 40th over.
12.21 IST: TWO WIDES! Slips it down the leg side, Iyer lets it go and Dickwella behind can't stop it even after a dive. He gets a hand to it though. The batsmen pick up two and the umpire signals a wide. 3 runs from the over IND 11/1 in 10 overs
12.15 IST: Manish Pandey strides out to bat! India are in deep trouble and he needs to steady the ship here.
12.14 IST: OUT! The third one down for Lanka! Dinesh Karthik's struggle finally comes to an end and it is Lakmal who is breathing fire at the moment gets his second. He once again sets him up brilliantly. He bowls a few outswinger in this over and then gets this one to nip back in. He lands it on a length around off, gets it shape back in after pitching. Karthik plants his front foot across and tries to drive it down through long on but misses to get hit on the pads. The Lankan players make another big appeal but this time the umpire agrees and raises his finger. Karthik, walks up to his partner and asks him whether to review it. Iyer first shakes his head but then stops Karthik as he walks past him. They have a word and Karthik signals for the 'T', but sorry Dinesh times up. He has to walk back and India are in disaray now. Now replays show that the ball was clipping the stumps and hence the on-field call would have stayed. IND 8/3 in 8.5 overs
12.09 IST: A huge appeal but not given! The bowlers are enjoying themselves out there and once again Mathews is creating problems for Indian batsmen. He bowls it fuller around off, but gets it to shape in a long way and that too late. Karthik tries to flick but misses and is struck on the pads. The players appeal and they make a loud one but the umpire shakes his head again. Time for a third review? No, this time they don't as the ball looked like it will be sliding down leg. And yes, replays confirm the ball will be missing leg. IND 7/2 in 8 overs
12.04 IST: MAIDEN! OOOOOO! Lovely bowling! Lakmal is getting to move it both ways and hence, the batsman is finding it difficult to pick him. He bowls it just short of a length on off, gets it to shape back in. Karthik tries to defend but is beaten on the inside. IND 6/2 in 7 overs
11.59 IST: FOUR! Shreyas Iyer gets the crowd going! Waited for 11 balls and he finally opens his account. Mathews sprays this one on the pads, Iyer makes the most of it. Gets across a bit and flicks it with timing past the man at short mid-wicket for a boundary, the first one of the match. IND 6/2 in 6 overs
11.52 IST: Dinesh Karthik walks out at no. 4. He was impressive against New Zealand can he carry forward his form.
11.51 IST: OUT! Another brilliant review, this time it is Dickwella who has to be given the credit. Lakmal was teasing the edge of Sharma a number of times and this time he induces one. A beautiful delivery by Lakmal, he again lands it on a length around off, gets it to shape away ever so slightly. There is a noise as the ball goes past the bat as Rohit tries to defend. Dickwella takes it and makes a huge appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Niroshan this time wants to take it upstairs and Perera once again signals the 'T'. Time for the replays. One the first one there is a slight gap between the bat and the ball but there is a spike on Snicko and the on-field call has to overturned. A huge wicket, for Sri Lanka. The hitman, the stand-in captain is walking back. Not a good first outing as skipper for him. India in trouble now two quick wickets. IND 2/2 in 4.1 overs
11.49 IST: Has Rohit edged it? Dickwella feels so, and he wants it to be reviewed after the umpire gives it not out.
11.48 IST: MAIDEN! Another brilliant over from the veteran bowler Mathews. IND 2/1 in 4 overs
11.44 IST: Rohit Sharma walks ahead and flicks the length ball on middle through mid-wicket for a couple. India are away and so is Rohit. It took them 16 balls to score their first run. IND 2/1 in 3 overs
The debutant, Shreyas Iyer, walks out to the middle.
11.40 IST: OUT! Excellent, excellent use of technology! Mathews strikes! They have got the reward for keeping it nice and tight. An early wicket just what Sri Lanka wanted. Mathews comes running in and lands it on middle, gets it jag back in after pitching. Dhawan tries to flick but misses and is hit on the front pad. The Lankan players applea, Mathews is pleading to the umpire as he feels Dhawan is a goner but the umpire shakes his head. Angelo convinces his captain to take the review and Perera does so. Replays roll in. There is no inside edge on that one. Also Hawk Eye shows three reds. Dhawan has to walk back on a duck. This is his first after 13 innings. The Sri Lankans are ecstatic as they have got the dangerous Shikhar. End of a maiden wicket for Mathews IND 0/1 in 2 overs
11.39 IST: Howzaaaaaat! An appeal for an LBW is given not out. Mathews wants it to be referred and Thisara does so. Mathews feels he is out and looks close.
11.37 IST: Sri Lanka have bowled 9 really good balls here! They are keeping it tight and not offering the batsman a lot of room. Mathews once again pitches it on off, on a length. Dhawan defends it towards point. IND 0/0 in 1.3 overs
Angelo Mathews will bowl from the other end. The last time he opened the bowling was in Bristol in 2016. He has one slip in place.
11.35 IST: MAIDEN! Good length on middle, Sharma defends it watchfully. A maiden to start with. Well bowled Lakmal! IND 0/0 in 1 over
11.30 IST: Edged but short! Beautiful delivery to start off with. Lakmal comes running in and lands it around off, gets it to shape away. Rohit Sharma, with soft hands, tries to defend but the ball goes of the edge and on the bounce to the man at widish second slip. Encouraging signs for the bowler as he got some swing out there. IND 0/0 in in 0.1 overs
11.28 IST: Bright sunshine welcomes us here in Dharamsala. The Lankan players are seen in a huddle and now they walk out to the middle. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will open the batting for India. Like always, they would look to get off to a flying start. For Sri Lanka, Suranga Lakmal will start the proceedings. There were doubts about him playing today but here he is fit and ready to bowl. Here we go...
11.23 IST: Both the teams, along with the umpires walk out for their respective national anthems. The away side will be singing their first, followed by the home side.
11.15 IST:
11.10 IST: Teams:
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Thisara Perera (C), Sachith Pathirana, Suranga Lakmal, Akila Dananjaya, Nuwan Pradeep
India (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma (C), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal
11.07 IST: Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma says they would have batted first anyway. Reckons it's a good toss to lose. Agrees there will be some assistance for the pacers early on so it's all about negotiating that and take it from thereon. Feels really honoured to captain the side. Wants to make the most of the added responsibility and hopes for a good show today. Informs they are going in with 6 batsmen, 1 all-rounder, 2 seamers and 2 spinners.
11.03 IST: Sri Lankan skipper, Thisara Perera says they will bowl first. Adds it looks like a good batting surface and they bank on their batting to chase it down. Further says there are a few players coming off an injury and hopes that they do well today.
11.00 IST: TOSS - Sri Lanka have won the toss and have opted to field
10.56 IST: News - Big moment for the new lad, Shreyas Iyer who has been handed his ODI cap by MS Dhoni earlier this morning. He is likely to bat at no. 3 today.
10.40 IST:
10.30 IST:
Brief Preview: A horribly out-of-form Ajinkya Rahane will be aiming to get his mojo back as India, formidable even without regular skipper Virat Kohli, eye another 'Whitewash' against Sri Lanka in the three-match ODI series, starting in Dharamsala on Sunday. From the polluted 'Gas Chamber' of National Capital, the action has now shifted to the most scenic cricket stadium in the country in the backdrop of the pristine Dhauladhar Range. The primary objective for chief coach Ravi Shastri and stand-in captain Rohit Sharma will be to look at various combinations in both departments against an out-of-sorts Sri Lankan side.
With the match starting at 11:30 am in cooler confines and bouncy conditions, the toss could prove to be a crucial factor during the opening ODI. Having won five straight bilateral series apart from reaching Champions Trophy final, a 3-0 win will put India on top of ICC ODI rankings, overtaking South Africa. (Read Full Match Preview)
