| 0.0 : Sri Lanka vs India! AGAIN! But this time another team joins them to fight for the silverware - Bangladesh. How many times have these teams faced each other in recent times? But this is a new series and a different set of players for India. Despite the emergency being called in Sri Lanka, we are all green lights here in Colombo. Hello and welcome to our coverage of the first match of the Tri-series between Sri Lanka and India. The visitors come into this game after restings some of their big guns |
| The visitors come into this game after resting some of their big guns. The hosts are in form after getting the better of Bangladesh in the series before this. They will hope their top players continue the purple patch and will look to start the tourney on a positive note. Let's hope for a cracker of a game. We will bring you the toss and the teams in a while. |
| PITCH REPORT - Brett Lee is down on the field and gives us a report on the pitch. He says that there is plenty of grass on the pitch but it is on the drier side. He adds that the weather was hot and humid in the past couple of days. He states that there are a few cracks on the surface and the ball will skid through. He opines that the bowlers should pitch it up and not be afraid. But goes on to add that it is a flat pitch and a good one for batting. If they start well they should put runs on the |
| TOSS - Dinesh Chandimal spins the coin and Rohit Sharma calls tails. He gets it wrong and the Sri Lankan skipper decides to bowl first. |
| Dinesh Chandimal, the Sri Lankan skipper says that it is a good pitch and they will look to restrict India to a minimum total. He says his team is in good form and are playing some good cricket. He adds by saying that they are playing seven batsmen and four bowlers. |
| Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma, says that he was not to bothered the toss as the pitch is a good one and adds by that it won't change much during the 40 overs. He states that their team is in good form but this is a new series and they want to start on a good note. He reckons that they have many youngsters in their side and this is the perfect platform for them. |
| The national anthems had taken place and that's over now. The umpires and the Sri Lankan team are out in the middle. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma stride out with the bat. Dushmantha Chameera will take the new ball. A slip in place. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : D Chameera to R Sharma, Steams in and starts of with a length ball outside off. Rohit defends it with a straight bat. |
| 0.2 : D Chameera to R Sharma, Another good length ball around off and Sharma defends it well on his back foot. |
| 0.3 : D Chameera to R Sharma, Sharma defends this off his back foot while Chameera just looses his balance on his follow through. |
| 0.4 : D Chameera to R Sharma, Wide. Slow ball down the leg, Rohit looks to heave this away but fails to connect. Wide signaled by the umpire. |
| D Chameera to R Sharma, OUT! SCREAMER! Big wicket first up! Sri Lanka get Rohit Sharma very early in the piece. This is a length ball in line of the stumps, Sharma looks to hit it over mid off. He ends up getting more height than distance. Jeevan Mendis backtracks from that position takes a good catch with a dive. Mind you, he is more than 35 years of age yet he has pulled this one off like a youngster. A blob for the Indian skipper, just what the hosts would have wanted. |
| Suresh Raina walks in next. |
| 0.5 : D Chameera to S Dhawan, Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. Dhawan gets off the mark. |
| 0.6 : D Chameera to S Raina, Raina cuts this to the point fielder. |
| Nuwan Pradeep to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : N Pradeep to S Dhawan, Pitched up, in line of the stumps, Dhawan hits it through mid on for a run. |
| 1.2 : N Pradeep to S Raina, Over pitched ball, Raina plays it to mid-wicket and quickly runs to the other end for his first run. The fielder has a shy at the non-strikers end and if he hit it would be close. |
| 1.3 : N Pradeep to S Dhawan, FOUR! Around off and Dhawan charges down the wicket and pops it over mid off. The ball races away to the fence for the first boundary for the Indian innings. |
| 1.4 : N Pradeep to S Dhawan, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 1.5 : N Pradeep to S Dhawan, Short ball on the hips of Dhawan who pulls it behind square for another run. |
| 1.6 : N Pradeep to S Raina, OUT! BOWLED! Raina misses the full toss and the ball goes and hits the timber. Slower ball, Raina gives room and completely misses the ball trying to cut it on the off side. The ball crashes into the middle stump and sends Raina back to the hut. What a start for the Lankans. |
| Manish Pandey joins Dhawan in the middle. |
| 2.1 : D Chameera to S Dhawan, Outside off, Dhawan cuts it past point for one. |
| 2.2 : D Chameera to M Pandey, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 2.3 : D Chameera to M Pandey, Outside off, Pandey misses his flick and the ball goes to Dinesh behind the stumps. |
| 2.4 : D Chameera to M Pandey, Bangs this short but Pandey fails the attempted hook shot. |
| 2.5 : D Chameera to M Pandey, Pandey defends his ball from his crease. |
| 2.6 : D Chameera to M Pandey, Effort ball, Pandey ducks under the ball at the last moment. |
| Akila Dananjaya to roll his arm now. |
| 3.1 : A Dananjaya to S Dhawan, Strong appeal from the bowler and the keeper but the umpire stays put. Starts off with a ball spinning into Dhawan who misses his flick and the ball goes to hit his pads. The keeper appeals and also thinks of going for the review but Akila decides against it. |
| 3.2 : A Dananjaya to S Dhawan, Pitched up outside off, Dhawan kneels and tries to sweep it but is beaten. |
| 3.3 : A Dananjaya to S Dhawan, FOUR! A bit shorter this time and Dhawan does not miss it this time. Rocks back and pulls this behind mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 3.4 : A Dananjaya to S Dhawan, Slower through the air this time, outside off, Dhawan charges down and defends this. |
| 3.5 : A Dananjaya to S Dhawan, WIDE! Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. The Umpire signals a wide. |
| A Dananjaya to S Dhawan, Good running from Pandey as he forces Dhawan for the second. Dhawan plays it through mid-wicket and hares back for the second. |
| 3.6 : A Dananjaya to S Dhawan, Short ball, Dhawan pulls this behind square to retain strike. |
| Change of ends for Nuwan Pradeep. |
| 4.1 : N Pradeep to S Dhawan, FOUR! Dananjaya's efforts on the third man fence should be lauded, but the result is in India's favour. Pradeep delivers this on a length angling away, Dhawan stands back and guides it towards third man. Akila runs to his right in the deep and puts in the dive. Yet fails to prevent the boundary. |
| 4.2 : N Pradeep to S Dhawan, FOUR! LUCKY DHAWAN! The short ball ploy was initially against Raina but here, against Dhawan, it almost paid dividends. Dhawan is hurried into the pull and gets a top edge. The ball sails over the short fine leg fielder and goes to the fence for another boundary. |
| 4.3 : N Pradeep to S Dhawan, On the pads, worked away to the on side for a single. |
| 4.4 : N Pradeep to M Pandey, WIDE! Length ball hurled down leg, Pandey misses the flick. Chandimal appeals to just put the umpire off, but the umpire's having nothing of that. Wide given. |
| N Pradeep to M Pandey, Quick run. Pandey pushes it towards mid off and takes on the fielder's arm. Makes it in, in time, beating the wild shy. |
| 4.5 : N Pradeep to S Dhawan, WIDE! Full and down leg, Dhawan fails to flick it away. |
| N Pradeep to S Dhawan, Length ball around off, Dhawan plays it towards point and gets to the other end. There is a wild throw at the batter's end and thankfully, doesn't result in an overthrow. |
| 4.6 : N Pradeep to M Pandey, FOUR! AUTHORITATIVE! Full in length, Pandey gets his front foot out of the way and blasts it over mid on. It almost goes the distance as the ball just bounces inside the ropes. 17 runs off this over, very costly. |
| 5.1 : A Dananjaya to S Dhawan, Spins into Dhawan and the batsman goes on one knee to sweep it past the short fine leg fielder for one. |
| 5.2 : A Dananjaya to M Pandey, Slow ball on middle stump, Pandey plays it back to the bowler. |
| 5.3 : A Dananjaya to M Pandey, Tossed up, Pandey hits it hard to long on but just manages a single. |
| 5.4 : A Dananjaya to S Dhawan, Floated ball on the legs of Dhawan who misses his shot. The ball hits his pads and they run on the leg bye. |
| 5.5 : A Dananjaya to M Pandey, Gives this some air and again Pandey hits it hard towards long on. He runs the first one hard and wanted the second but Dhawan sends him back. |
| 5.6 : A Dananjaya to S Dhawan, Outside off, Dhawan kneels and sweeps it to square leg for one. |
| Thisara Perera to bowl his first over. |
| 6.1 : T Perera to S Dhawan, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 6.2 : T Perera to M Pandey, FOUR! Short ball, around off, Pandey quickly takes position and works it towards the fine leg region for another boundary. |
| 6.3 : T Perera to M Pandey, Short again, Pandey pulls but cannot find the gap. |
| 6.4 : T Perera to M Pandey, Bangs this short again, Pandey looks to hook this but gets it off the back of the bat towards third man for one. |
| 6.5 : T Perera to S Dhawan, Around off, Dhawan punches this to the off side for a single. |
| 6.6 : T Perera to M Pandey, Fuller ball, Pandey hits it through mid on to keep strike. |
| Jeevan Mendis into the attack. |
| 7.1 : J Mendis to M Pandey, Pandey cuts it past point to move to the other end. |
| 0.0 : The Sri Lankans have opted for a review for an LBW decision against Dhawan. They appeal but the umpire gives it not out. Chandimal doesn't think the same and opts for the review. Has this pitched outside leg? |
| 7.2 : J Mendis to S Dhawan, NOT OUT! Dhawan survives. Pitches this on leg and Dhawan fails to sweep this one too. The ball goes to hit the pads and after a strong appeal from the players they decide to review this. Replays show that the ball has pitched outside leg. Good decision from the umpire. The batsmen cross between all this. |
| 7.3 : J Mendis to M Pandey, SIX! Huge! Tossed up and Pandey slogs sweeps this over mid-wicket for a biggie. |
| 7.4 : J Mendis to M Pandey, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 7.5 : J Mendis to M Pandey, Pandey defends this from within the crease. Good come back from Mendis. |
| 7.6 : J Mendis to M Pandey, 1 run. |
| 8.1 : N Pradeep to M Pandey, Length ball outside off, Manish punches it through covers for one. |
| 8.2 : N Pradeep to S Dhawan, SIX! Streaky again, but Dhawan would hardly be bothered by the outcome. Pradeep bangs this short on the stumps, Dhawan looks to go for the pull. Goes through with the shot and the ball goes off the top edge and sails over the third man fence for a maximum. This is the first one of the game. That's the 50-run stand between Dhawan and Pandey. Resurrection in progress and going well. |
| 8.3 : N Pradeep to S Dhawan, SIX! Another one! The word 'commanding' is nowhere close to this shot. Another effort ball from Pradeep, Dhawan is cramped for room yet proceeds to play the pull. We are waiting in anticipation to see the fielder get under that to pouch that but instead, the next visuals are of the ball sailing over the fine leg fence. |
| 8.4 : N Pradeep to S Dhawan, The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 8.5 : N Pradeep to M Pandey, Length ball on the stumps, punched right back. The ball goes and strikes the stumps at the other end. |
| 8.6 : N Pradeep to M Pandey, Very very slow ball, Manish backs away and looks to punch that, fails. Just one run off the last three balls. |
| 9.1 : J Mendis to S Dhawan, Short ball outside leg, Dhawan hits it past the bowler for an easy run. |
| 9.2 : J Mendis to M Pandey, Tossed up, Pandey hits it past mid on for another run. |
| 9.3 : J Mendis to S Dhawan, WIDE! Clever bowling from Mendis. Sees Dhawan charging him and drags his length outside leg. The ball is down the leg and a bit too far for Chandimal to take the bails off. He tries throwing the ball on the stumps but misses, the batsmen come back for the second run as the ball goes towards square leg. |
| J Mendis to M Pandey, The ball takes an inside edge off the bat of Pandey and the pick up a quick single. |
| 9.4 : J Mendis to S Dhawan, Outside off, Dhawan reserves sweeps this to square leg for a couple. |
| 9.5 : J Mendis to S Dhawan, That kept low, outside leg and the ball hits the pads of Dhawan before rolling to the leg side. They pick up yet another leg bye. |
| 9.6 : J Mendis to M Pandey, Floated delivery, Pandey hits it through mid on for one. |
| 10.1 : A Dananjaya to M Pandey, Flatter outside off, Pandey goes back and punches it through covers for a brace. |
| 10.2 : A Dananjaya to M Pandey, This time Manish comes down the track and pushes it to long off for one. |
| 10.3 : A Dananjaya to S Dhawan, Dhawan moves to 49 with a punch off the back foot through covers. |
| 10.4 : A Dananjaya to M Pandey, Shorter in length, Manish goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket for one. |
| 10.5 : A Dananjaya to S Dhawan, FOUR! 5th T20I fifty for Gabbar! Dhawan is continuing his good run of form with the bat. Akila tosses this well wide of off, Dhawan gets down on a knee and nails the drive through covers for a boundary. He has done well to hold the innings together after the initial blows. |
| 10.6 : A Dananjaya to S Dhawan, Dhawan sweeps this one and retains strike. |
| Thisara Perera is back on. |
| 11.1 : T Perera to S Dhawan, FOUR! Mind you, this is Dhawan in full flow. Perera angles this away on a length, Shikhar stands tall and punches it through covers. Such is the timing on that, that it comfortably beats sweeper to his left. |
| 11.2 : T Perera to S Dhawan, This is played with an angled bat to third man for a single. |
| 11.3 : T Perera to M Pandey, FOUR! Pandey is making merry as well. Now pressure is mounting here on Perera. Length ball, a touch short. Pandey transfers his weight on the back foot and just whips it through backward square leg for a boundary. |
| Change in field. Long off and long on come in the circle now. |
| 11.4 : T Perera to M Pandey, Short in length, Manish walks across but fails to pull it away. |
| 11.5 : T Perera to M Pandey, Another short delivery, Pandey makes room to play the upper cut. Gets beaten due to the extra bounce. |
| 11.6 : T Perera to M Pandey, Fuller this time, eased through mid on for one. 12 from the over and also, 100 up for India. |
| Jeevan Mendis is back from another end now. |
| 12.1 : J Mendis to M Pandey, Mendis is bowling a lot of side arm deliveries tonight. This is on a fuller length, Pandey slaps it towards covers and gets to the other end very quickly. |
| 12.2 : J Mendis to S Dhawan, Swept away through square leg for a single. |
| 12.3 : J Mendis to M Pandey, Edgy stuff! Pandey charges down the track and looks to play this one over covers. Ends up getting an inside edge and the ball rolls through Chandimal's legs. It results in a couple. |
| 12.4 : J Mendis to M Pandey, OUT! That's it for Manish Pandey tonight. We all know how dangerous he can be towards the end and hence, no wonder why the Lankans are elated. Seeing the tossed up ball, Pandey slinks down the track to hit it over the bowler's head. Ends up getting off the inner half. The ball travels straight to Gunathilaka at deep mid-wicket who doesn't mess it up. A big partnership comes to an end. Can Sri Lanka build on this? |
| The man in at number 5 for India is Rishabh Pant. Interesting choice this. |
| 12.5 : J Mendis to S Dhawan, Shorter in length, pulled through mid-wicket for one. |
| 12.6 : J Mendis to R Pant, Floated on the stumps, pushed back towards the bowler for nothing. End of a successful over for Mendis. 5 runs and a wicket off that. |
| Danushka Gunathilaka is brought into the attack. |
| 13.1 : D Gunathilaka to S Dhawan, Flatter outside off, tapped towards point for one. |
| 13.2 : D Gunathilaka to R Pant, This one is outside off, Pant looks to push it towards covers but gets an inside edge onto his boots. |
| 13.3 : D Gunathilaka to R Pant, Pant gets going by gliding this towards point. |
| 13.4 : D Gunathilaka to S Dhawan, Dhawan gets down the track and drives it to long off for one. |
| 13.5 : D Gunathilaka to R Pant, Flatter outside off, Pant looks to cut but misses. |
| 13.6 : D Gunathilaka to R Pant, This one is wristed through mid-wicket for a single. |
| Akila Dananjaya is back on. |
| 14.1 : A Dananjaya to R Pant, Pant isn't looking good tonight. Looks to go big over the off side but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball rolls to the off side and Dhawan calls for one and they complete it. |
| 14.2 : A Dananjaya to S Dhawan, SIX! BAMMMM! Dananjaya bowls a half-tracker on middle, Dhawan hangs on the back foot and banishes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen. |
| 14.3 : A Dananjaya to S Dhawan, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single. |
| 14.4 : A Dananjaya to R Pant, Quicker outside off, punched to covers. |
| 14.5 : A Dananjaya to R Pant, SIX! Wow, what a stroke! In a matter of a couple of deliveries, Pant has proved me wrong. He slinks down the track and goes inside out over covers. The ball goes the distance. |
| 14.6 : A Dananjaya to R Pant, Flatter on the pads, flicked away round the corner for one. 4-0-37-0 for Dananjaya tonight. |
| 15.1 : D Gunathilaka to R Pant, Pant misses, Chandimal misses. Tossed up outside off, Pant looks to slog but misses. The keeper, too, misses and lets it through for a bye. He applauds the bowler though. |
| 15.2 : D Gunathilaka to S Dhawan, Dhawan reverse sweeps this through point for one. |
| 15.3 : D Gunathilaka to R Pant, Eased through covers to get to the other end. |
| 15.4 : D Gunathilaka to S Dhawan, SIX! BOOM! Dhawan is in a murderous mood here. Floated on the stumps, Dhawan gets down on a knee and slog sweeps it high and handsomely over mid-wicket. |
| 15.5 : D Gunathilaka to S Dhawan, The batsman fails to get bat on that one and is hit on the pad. |
| 15.6 : D Gunathilaka to S Dhawan, Driven through covers for one to retain strike. |
| Dushmantha Chameera is back into the attack. |
| 16.1 : D Chameera to S Dhawan, SIX! Well... Do a Ctrl F and find Dhawan and fine leg. Too many runs there and most of them via top edges. This is short in length, Shikhar moves inside the line in a bid to pull it. The ball takes the top edge and clears fine leg to take Dhawan into the 80s. |
| 16.2 : D Chameera to S Dhawan, Fuller this time, driven to long off for one. |
| 16.3 : D Chameera to R Pant, Full outside off, Pant slashes and gets a thick outside edge to third man for one. |
| 16.4 : D Chameera to S Dhawan, DROPPED! Dhawan is living a charmed life tonight. This is full and slanting away, Dhawan looks to play the drive without much feet movement. Gets a thick outside edge and Chandimal dives to his left but fails to grab that one. A single results. |
| 16.5 : D Chameera to R Pant, Full on the pads, Pant just gets a tickle to the keeper on the bounce. They run one, beating Dinesh's throw. |
| 16.6 : D Chameera to S Dhawan, SIX! You don't give Dhawan many chances just for this reason. He slinks down the track in a flash and takes it on the full. Bludgeons it straight over the bowler's head for half a dozen. Brings up India's 150. |
| 17.1 : D Gunathilaka to R Pant, Floated up on the stumps, Pant looks to play the reverse sweep but gets an inside edge onto the pad. The ball lobs to the off side and he isn't happy with the outcome. |
| 17.2 : D Gunathilaka to R Pant, Now he rotates strike by driving it through mid off. |
| 17.3 : D Gunathilaka to S Dhawan, Dhawan wanted two after hitting it towards long on but it is not to be. Just one there. |
| 17.4 : D Gunathilaka to R Pant, Tossed up outside off, Pant looks to dismiss the ball from his presence but all he manages to do is make contact with thin air. |
| 17.5 : D Gunathilaka to R Pant, Pant gets down on a knee and sweeps it through square leg for one. |
| 17.6 : D Gunathilaka to S Dhawan, OUT! Danushka Gunathilaka gets the big scalp! Dhawan falls 10 short of the triple-figure mark. Gets a nice full floated delivery on off, he looks to go over long off, mindful of the fielder there. Perera sees that the ball is coming straight to him and takes it by keeping his eyes on the ball. Hush! Perhaps Sri Lanka can now get a breather. Maybe with Pant not able to strike big, Dhawan had to take the onus upon himself and departs in the process. |
| Dinesh Karthik walks in next. |
| Now after taking the catch, Thisara Perera is back on to bowl. |
| 18.1 : T Perera to R Pant, Full on off, driven to long off for one. |
| 18.2 : T Perera to D Karthik, Short in length, Karthik pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one. Nice way to get going. |
| 18.3 : T Perera to R Pant, Full ball outside off, Pant can only drill this to long off for a single. |
| 18.4 : T Perera to D Karthik, Perera has been good in this over so far. Another delivery just outside off on a fuller length. The batter cannot get under it and can only smash it through covers for a couple. |
| 18.5 : T Perera to D Karthik, Full again on off, Karthik slogs it to deep mid-wicket to get to the other end. |
| 18.6 : T Perera to R Pant, Another full one on off, Rishabh digs it out to long off for one. 5 singles and a double in this one. Very good one from Thisara. |
| 180 on the cards? Dushmantha Chameera to bowl the last over of the innings. |
| 19.1 : D Chameera to R Pant, Hurled around off, Pant makes room but hits it down to long off for a single. |
| 19.2 : D Chameera to D Karthik, FOUR! It doesn't matter how the runs come as long as they do. This is a slower delivery on a length outside off, Karthik looks to smash it over the off side. Gets a thick outside edge and that enables the ball to run away to the third man fence in a flash. Despairing look on the bowler's face says it all. |
| 19.3 : D Chameera to D Karthik, FOUR! This is Dinesh Karthik's boundary all the way. Chameera takes a clue from Perera's previous over and spears it full on the stumps. Karthik is aware of that and flick-digs it over square leg. Once the man in the circle is cleared, the result is clear as well. |
| 19.4 : D Chameera to D Karthik, Full on the stumps, flicked towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 19.5 : D Chameera to R Pant, FOUR! Finally a boundary off Pant's blade. He last hit one in the 15th over and now here's another. He makes room and spanks it through covers. Succeeds in finding the gap in the deep. |
| 19.6 : D Chameera to R Pant, OUT! That's all. Pant doesn't trouble the scorers much after hitting the previous boundary. Perhaps this signals his troubles in his innings. This is short down the leg side. He gets inside the line and pulls it straight down fine leg's throat. Pradeep there pockets it safely to RESTRICT INDIA TO 174/5! |
| As per our stats person, this is India's highest score in Sri Lanka batting first. Well, they largely struggled and stuttered their way here. By the looks of it, it didn't seem an easy track to play your shots as the ball didn't come onto the bat as easily as the batters would have liked. That is writ large in the way Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina's innings. |
| Meanwhile, Russel Arnold has a short chat with Jeevan Mendis, one of the pick of the bowlers. He states that his variations helped him on this surface. He reckons that the score is chaseable and backs his batters to gun it down. Is proud of his side's bowling efforts. |
| Yes, such was the surface that Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka, the part-timers, were the two most economical bowlers on display. They put the brakes on the scoring after Shikhar Dhawan and Manish Pandey's stand, that threatened to take the score to a highly insurmountable stage. Once the pair was dismissed, India couldn't get going, with Rishabh Pant failing to get any momentum going. Dhawan's fifty was the only talking point. |
| Sri Lanka's bowling was largely disciplined, something that is not associated with them generally. That means that they should feel pretty confident of chasing this down. However, India's bowlers would look to make use of the track that seems to be a bit two-paced. Join us for the chase, that'll get underway shortly. |
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