IND vs SL, 2nd ODI Highlights: KL Rahul half century helps India seal series

Right then, that is all we have from Eden Gardens. India have taken an unassailable lead of 2-0 and would be looking to complete a clean sweep as we move down south to Thiruvananthapuram for the third and final ODI of the series. It will be played on Sunday, 15th of January and like all games of this ODI series, the action will start at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). Our build-up as you know will begin much earlier. So, do join us for the same. Till then, it’s goodbye and cheers!

Kuldeep Yadav (10-0-51-3) is chosen for the Player of the Match award. Smiles and says that he is happy with his performance. Tells that he tries to do his best and backs his strength. Adds that when you are playing you have to focus hard and he is enjoying his bowling a lot. Mentions that he tries to give his best whenever given a chance. Feels that varying the speed is crucial and shares that he has worked hard on his batting as well. Also adds that he has worked hard on his fitness and it has helped him in finding the rhythm with the ball.

Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, says that it was a close game and games like these teach you a lot. Adds that it was not easy to bat out there and the batting depth helped them. States that KL Rahul has been batting at 5 for some time now and it gives them the confidence to bat freely at the top. Calls it a good display of batsmanship from him. On missing a left-hander in the top order, Sharma replies that he doesn't believe too much in it and the guys who have been given the chance have scored a lot of runs but ideally, they would like to have a southpaw in the mix. Regarding the team changes, Sharma says that they have not thought about it now and will take a call after looking at the pitch in Thiruvananthapuram. Praises Kuldeep Yadav for the way he bowled and adds that he is quite confident as a bowler right now.

Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka, says that they didn't have enough runs on the board. Regrets wasting a good start. Mentions that it was a very flat deck and a score above 300 was on the cards but credits Kuldeep Yadav for the way he bowled. Admits that it's a concern that the batters are not doing well. Shares that he asked his fast bowlers to stick to the basics and bowl in the line of the stumps. 

Stay tuned for the presentation...

KL Rahul (64*) comes up for a quick chat. Says that he cannot say that it was a flat wicket or a very difficult wicket but feels that it was a sporty wicket. Tells that he kept wickets in the first half and felt that there was a bit of spongy bounce from the back of the length. Adds that they thought they would be chasing around 280-300 but feels that their bowlers bowled well. Says that it was a challenging game and credits Sri Lanka for the way they bowled and says that he enjoyed batting in the middle and stitching some crucial partnerships. Talks about the difference in approach between the two games and adds that in the first ODI, the pitch was good and their batters batted positively while batting first. States that when he came to bat in the first game, they were in a comfortable position, and the situation was different in this game and he had to play accordingly. On comparison with opening in Tests, KL smiles and says that the good thing about batting at number 5 is that he does not have to rush back to the pavilion at the end of the innings. Further says that he likes to have the ball coming onto the bat and it is a bit of a challenge for him to bat in the middle order. Shares that Rohit is clear about his batting position in the team and he tries to play according to the needs of the team.

Earlier in the day, Kuldeep Yadav left his impact with the ball and forced a collapse. Sri Lanka never recovered after that and got bundled out for only 215 runs. India adopted a very cautious approach after losing the top-order batters quite cheaply but with the required rate not too demanding, Rahul paced his innings brilliantly. This is now India's 10th ODI series win against Sri Lanka at home.

It won't be wrong to say that the sin done with the bat in the first innings haunted Sri Lanka. They threw away an excellent start and got bundled out for a paltry score on an excellent batting surface. Not just that, the Lankans wasted 62 balls. The visitors tried their best with the ball but they never had enough runs on the board. After having India reeling at 86 for 4, they had a chance but the partnership between KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya shut the door on them and gave them a rude reminder that they never deserved to win after such an abysmal batting show.

Victory for India, although they took the longer route, they reached the destination safely and grabbed an unsurpassable lead in the 3-match ODI series. The start from them was bright and breezy, but then they lost wickets in a heap to give a semblance of a chance to Sri Lanka. Thereafter the duo of KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya combined for a 75-run stand and then KL formed yet another crucial partnership with Axar Patel. Rahul batted through and saw his team over the line in the end with 40 balls to spare.

43.2: Lahiru Kumara to Kuldeep Yadav, FOUR! That's it! India win this game by four wickets! Kumara bowls another shortish delivery on off. Yadav makes room again and slaps it past the mid off fielder for a boundary. Happy faces all around in the Indian camp and at this iconic Eden Gardens.

Lahiru Kumara pulls out...

43.1: Lahiru Kumara to Kuldeep Yadav, Back of a length, on off at 144.5 kph. Yadav makes room and tries to cut it but misses.

42.6: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, FOUR! This time a top edge produces a boundary! Scores are level now! Short and on middle. Rahul goes for a big pull shot. However, all he manages to do is to get a top edge which goes over the jumping keeper for a boundary.

42.5: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, Bowls it short and on middle. Rahul is happy to duck under it.

42.4: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, FOUR! Another boundary! This time KL Rahul and India get lucky, just 5 needed now! Back of a length and it nips back in a bit. Rahul tries to punch it but is cramped for room and gets an inside edge that goes past the stumps and diving keeper for a boundary at fine leg.

42.3: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, Serves it fuller but on off this time. Rahul drives it nicely to the mid off fielder.

42.2: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, FOUR! Poor delivery and punished! India inching closer! A fullish delivery and on the pads. Rahul glances it with great timing and beats the diving fielder at deep backward square leg for a boundary.

42.1: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, A low full toss on off. Rahul drives it back to the bowler.

41.6: Lahiru Kumara to Kuldeep Yadav, FOUR! This will take India closer to the target! Short and on middle. Kuldeep Yadav makes room and cuts it over the point fielder and gets a boundary. Just 13 needed now!

41.5: Lahiru Kumara to Kuldeep Yadav, A length delivery on middle at 145.5 kph. Yadav fends it right under his eyes.

41.4: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, Back of a length and outside off. Rahul punches it towards deep point for a single. Now Sri Lanka need to be more proactive here.

41.3: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, Goes fuller and around off. Rahul drives it to the mid off fielder. He is not happy with himself and rightly so.

41.2: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, Bowls it short and angles it on middle and leg. Rahul very calmly ducks under it.

41.1: Lahiru Kumara to Kuldeep Yadav, Back of a length on leg. Yadav clips it to mid-wicket for a single.

A quick concussing test is done. Kuldeep Yadav is doing fine. Lahiru Kumara is back for one last burst, perhaps.

40.6: Kasun Rajitha to Kuldeep Yadav, Bowls a good short delivery angling into middle from 'round the wicket. Yadav tries to pull it but misses. The ball goes off his helmet towards third man and a leg bye is taken. India still need 19 runs, can Sri Lanka get a wicket or two quickly here?

40.5: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, Angles a length delivery on middle. Rahul works it to fine leg for a single. Sri Lanka can't afford to give easy singles like this.

40.4: Kasun Rajitha to Kuldeep Yadav, A fullish delivery and outside off. Yadav drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

40.3: Kasun Rajitha to Kuldeep Yadav, On a length and angling into off from 'round the wicket. Yadav fends it towards the off side.

40.2: Kasun Rajitha to Kuldeep Yadav, A slower back-of-a-length delivery on off. Yadav cuts it straight to the point fielder.

40.2: Kasun Rajitha to Kuldeep Yadav, WIDE! Short and down the leg side. Yadav leaves it alone. Free Hit continues.

40.2: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, FIFTY for KL Rahul! A gritty knock from the keeper-batter and he has stepped up when his team needed it the most. Back of a length, on leg. Rahul clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Oh, Kasun Rajitha has overstepped here and it is a no ball. So Free Hit coming up...

40.1: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, Fullish and outside off. Rahul drives it to the cover fielder.

Powerplay 3! Now, five fielders are allowed outside the circle till the end of this game. Kasun Rajitha is back on...

39.6: Dhananjaya de Silva to Kuldeep Yadav, Floated and full, around off, Kuldeep defends it off the front foot.

Kuldeep Yadav walks out to the middle now. A slip and leg gully in place.

39.5: Dhananjaya de Silva to Axar Patel, OUT! Patel holes out! Sri Lanka again have an opening. Floated delivery, full and outside off, Axar Patel leans forward to loft it inside-out over extra cover but ends up hitting it a lot straighter. The ball flies to the right of long off and Chamika Karunaratne takes a fine catch sliding across on the ground. 25 needed off 61 balls.

39.4: Dhananjaya de Silva to Axar Patel, Around middle and off, flicked to mid-wicket.

39.3: Dhananjaya de Silva to KL Rahul, Fuller and on middle, Rahul drives it back towards the bowler who tries to gather it but misses. Ends up deflecting behind onto the stumps and the ball ricochets to mid off. They cross.

39.2: Dhananjaya de Silva to KL Rahul, On middle, KL clips it to square leg. Patel wants a run but is sent back.

39.1: Dhananjaya de Silva to Axar Patel, Fuller and around leg, Axar knocks it down to long on for a single.

38.6: Chamika Karunaratne to Axar Patel, Short again, around leg and jumping onto the batter, Axar rides the bounce and tucks it through square leg for a single. 27 needed off 11 overs.

38.5: Chamika Karunaratne to Axar Patel, Short and on off, Axar slaps it to covers where the fielder (Charith Asalanka) dives but misfields. Yes-no between the batter and they decide not to cross.

38.4: Chamika Karunaratne to Axar Patel, Bouncer around leg at 132.8 kph, Axar stands back and allows it through to the keeper.

38.3: Chamika Karunaratne to KL Rahul, Shortish and on off, it's punched off the back foot by KL, towards deep cover-point, for a single.

38.2: Chamika Karunaratne to Axar Patel, Back of a length around leg, Patel glances it off his hips to deep square leg for a single.

38.1: Chamika Karunaratne to Axar Patel, Fullish and on off, Patel drives it back to the bowler. Chamika Karunaratne picks up the ball and stares at the batter.

37.6: Dhananjaya de Silva to KL Rahul, Flighted around off, Rahul wrists it towards short mid-wicket.

37.5: Dhananjaya de Silva to Axar Patel, Quicker around middle, skidding in, Axar gets back and punches it to long off for a run.

37.4: Dhananjaya de Silva to KL Rahul, Full and on off, knocked down to long on for a single.

37.3: Dhananjaya de Silva to KL Rahul, Loopy and around leg, spinning down, Rahul tries to flick but misses. The keeper fumbles while collecting. Perhaps it went off the pads as there was no signal from the umpire.

37.2: Dhananjaya de Silva to KL Rahul, Shorter and around off, KL goes back and pushes it towards the bowler.

37.1: Dhananjaya de Silva to Axar Patel, Serves it very full and on off, Patel eases it down to long off for a run.

36.6: Chamika Karunaratne to Axar Patel, Short and on off, Axar goes on his toes and guides it past point for one. 33 needed off 78 balls.

36.5: Chamika Karunaratne to KL Rahul, Fullish and on off, angling in, KL flicks it in the gap at mid-wicket for a single.

36.4: Chamika Karunaratne to KL Rahul, On a good length outside off, Rahul punches off the back foot to point. The fielder makes a tumbling stop.

36.3: Chamika Karunaratne to Axar Patel, Pitches it up and outside off, Patel drives it through covers and rotates the strike.

36.2: Chamika Karunaratne to Axar Patel, SIX! Out of here, the crowd at Eden Gardens erupts! Short in length and around off, slower in pace, Axar Patel camps back and launches it over wide long on for a maximum. Six maximums needed more to win this game.

36.2: Chamika Karunaratne to Axar Patel, Wide! Free Hit stays! Karunaratne returns from over the wicket and bowls a short ball way wide outside off. Patel tries to chase but misses.

36.2: Chamika Karunaratne to Axar Patel, FOUR! Puts it away! Chamika Karunaratne switches to 'round the wicket and delivers a full ball around off, Axar Patel leans forward and caresses it through extra cover for a boundary. That's not all, the bowler has overstepped. The siren goes off and the crowd gets excited. Free Hit loading...

36.1: Chamika Karunaratne to Axar Patel, Back of a length on off, Axar punches from the back foot to mid off.

35.6: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Fuller and on off, defended to covers. Wanindu Hasaranga is done with his economical spell but Sri Lanka wanted wickets from their champion bowler.

35.5: Wanindu Hasaranga to Axar Patel, Tossed up around leg, Patel flicks it aerially but wide of short mid-wicket. They cross for a run.

35.4: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Floated ball, full and on middle, Rahul wrists it down to long on for a run. Under 50 needed now.

35.3: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Loopy and full on off, KL presses forward and defends it on the surface.

35.2: Wanindu Hasaranga to Axar Patel, A touch short and on the pads, from 'round the wicket, Patel works it to deep square leg for a single.

35.1: Wanindu Hasaranga to Axar Patel, Slower through the air, full and on off, Patel drives it back to the bowler.

34.6: Chamika Karunaratne to Axar Patel, Single to end the over and India now need 51 from 90 balls with five wickets in hand. Short and outside off. Patel cuts it and cuts it hard to deep point but gets only a single.

34.5: Chamika Karunaratne to Axar Patel, Touch short and around off. Patel punches it to the cover fielder.

34.4: Chamika Karunaratne to KL Rahul, Shortish and outside off. Rahul punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

34.3: Chamika Karunaratne to KL Rahul, Goes fuller and on middle. Rahul drives it to the mid on fielder.

34.2: Chamika Karunaratne to Axar Patel, Short and outside off. Patel cuts it to the point fielder for a single.

34.2: Chamika Karunaratne to Axar Patel, WIDE! Bangs it short on off and it is a bit too high as Patel leaves it alone.

Axar Patel walks in next. Sri Lanka are attacking him with one slip.

34.1: Chamika Karunaratne to Hardik Pandya, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Chamika Karunaratne strikes and gives Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope here! The 75-run stand has been broken and Pandya, after playing so well, walks back disappointed into the shed. This is a good-length delivery, around off. Pandya tries to punch it from his crease. But he gets an outside edge and Mendis behind the stumps takes a good catch. Can Sri Lanka capitalize on this opening now? 55 needed more.

33.6: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Quicker one at 90 kph, on off. Rahul punches it to the left of the bowler who deflects it off his hands towards the cover region. 55 needed from 96 balls!

33.5: Wanindu Hasaranga to Hardik Pandya, Fires it quicker and on middle. Pandya is happy to take a single as he knocks it down to long on.

33.4: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Tosses it up on middle. Rahul drives it to long on for a single.

33.3: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Touch shorter and on off at 86.1 kph. Rahul punches it to the bowler this time.

33.2: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Bowls it flatter and quicker at 90.5 kph. Rahul is happy to block it.

33.1: Wanindu Hasaranga to Hardik Pandya, Tossed-up delivery on middle. Pandya drives it to long on for a single.

32.6: Chamika Karunaratne to KL Rahul, Bowls a short delivery, around off at 128.3 kph. Rahul pulls it to the mid-wicket fielder.

32.5: Chamika Karunaratne to Hardik Pandya, Angles a length delivery on leg. Pandya glances it to fine leg for an easy single.

32.4: Chamika Karunaratne to Hardik Pandya, Back of a length, on off. Pandya punches it to the mid on fielder.

32.3: Chamika Karunaratne to Hardik Pandya, Goes fuller and on middle. Pandya flicks it through mid-wicket where Ashen Bandara runs to his left, dives and keeps it to just two. He has been a perennial substitute fielder for Sri Lanka for this very reason.

32.2: Chamika Karunaratne to Hardik Pandya, FOUR! Pandya with good placement this time! Chamika Karunaratne drifts on the pads as he bowls a length delivery. Pandya does not hit it hard just times this as he clips it to the backward square leg fence for a boundary.

32.1: Chamika Karunaratne to KL Rahul, Back of a length and outside off. Rahul punches it nicely to deep cover for a single.

Chamika Karunaratne is back on. 4-0-21-1 are his figures so far.

31.6: Wanindu Hasaranga to Hardik Pandya, Another dot to end the over! A flatter delivery on off. A bit quicker too and all Pandya manages to do is hit it to the bowler.

31.5: Wanindu Hasaranga to Hardik Pandya, Goes fuller and around off. Pandya drives it to the cover fielder.

31.4: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Touch shorter on middle and Rahul uses the depth of the crease as he knocks it to long on for a single.

31.3: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Bowls it quicker and on middle. Rahul blocks it solidly and with utmost calm again.

31.2: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Fraction short again and outside off. Rahul goes back and defends it towards the off side.

31.1: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Short and around off. Rahul cuts it past the point fielder for a couple.

Drinks break. This game has slowly but steadily drifted away from Sri Lanka. The current partnership between Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul has nearly closed the door on them. That said, a quick wicket or two after the break and we very well might witness a thrilling finish. Wanindu Hasaranga to bowl after the break...

30.6: Lahiru Kumara to Hardik Pandya, Short again and on middle. Pandya connects the pull shot but hits it straight to the mid-wicket fielder. India still need 69 runs!

30.5: Lahiru Kumara to Hardik Pandya, Bowls it short and on off at 138.9 kph. Pandya sets up to pull it but got late into the shot and by the time he decides to let it go, the ball has passed him.

30.4: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, Back of a length and around off. Rahul punches it to the left of point where the fielder half-stops it and a single is taken.

30.3: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, Short of a good length, on off. Rahul fends it with soft hands towards the off side.

30.2: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, Lands it on a length and angles it on the pads. Rahul tries to clip it but misses to get hit high on the pads. An appeal follows from Kumara but it is too high and going down the leg side too.

30.1: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, Bangs it short again and this time gets his line right, on middle. Rahul ducks under it.

30.1: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, WIDE! Short and down the leg side. Rahul sets up to pull it but lets it go in the end. The ball swerves a lot after going past the bat and Kusal Mendis stretches to his right to collect the ball.

29.6: Dhananjaya de Silva to Hardik Pandya,  Slow spin into the batter, from around off, Hardik is content in defending it near his front pad. Just a boundary from the over!

29.5: Dhananjaya de Silva to Hardik Pandya, Puts it on a fuller length around off, Hardik drives but finds the cover fielder.

29.4: Dhananjaya de Silva to Hardik Pandya, Make it three dots. Flighted and around off, Pandya leans forward and wrists it away to square leg.

29.3: Dhananjaya de Silva to Hardik Pandya, Two dots after a boundary. Fullish and on off, Pandya pushes it back to the bowler.

29.2: Dhananjaya de Silva to Hardik Pandya, Flighted and full, around off, it's defended off the front foot to the off side.

29.1: Dhananjaya de Silva to Hardik Pandya, FOUR! The part-timer will not dominate, says Hardik. Presses forward to a full ball and eases his drive in the gap at covers for a boundary.

Dasun Shanaka brings in another bowling change as Dhananjaya de Silva is brought into the attack now.

28.6: Lahiru Kumara to Hardik Pandya, Short around off at 138.9 kph, Pandya drags his pull shot to deep square leg. Takes a single. 75 needed more.

28.5: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, Goes on the back foot and forces a short ball through point for a single.

28.4: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, FOUR! What a shot! Full in length and around off, Rahul goes through the line and lofts it nonchalantly over mid off for a boundary. The 50-run stand comes up!

28.3: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, Shortish on off, at 137.1 clicks, Rahul drops it with gentle hands to the leg side. Looks for a run but is sent back. 'Tha kya?' asks Pandya after that, the reply from KL comes - 'Tere uper hai!' Meaning - Pandya enquired whether there was a run and Rahul replied it's upto you.

28.2: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, Bouncer around middle and leg at 136.7 kph, KL Rahul turns to pull but it goes over his bat. No signal from the umpire and KL is disappointed.

28.1: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, Back of a length around off, Rahul goes on the back foot and defends it back.

27.6: Wanindu Hasaranga to Hardik Pandya, Loopy one, full around leg and turning towards off, Pandya tries to defend and does so from the outer half of his blade.

27.5: Wanindu Hasaranga to Hardik Pandya, Tossed up, full and around off, Pandya presses forward and defends it with his bat and pad together.

27.4: Wanindu Hasaranga to Hardik Pandya, Fuller and on off, driven to covers.

27.3: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Plays late and plays well. Short and close to off, KL waits and chops it down past first slip for a single.

27.2: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, FOUR! Lovely shot! Too full from Wanindu Hasaranga, it's loopy and outside off, Rahul frees his arms and drills it through extra cover for a boundary. 

27.1: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Flatter and shorter on off, Rahul moves back and works it off his pads to short fine leg. Looks for a run but is sent back.

26.6: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, Keeps it short and on off, angling in at 135.6 kph, KL moves back and tucks it through square leg for one.

26.5: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, Darts in a good-length delivery around off, at 132 kph, Rahul defends it back from the crease.

26.4: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, Fractionally short and on off, at 131.4 clicks, KL punches again off the back foot but finds the fielder at covers.

26.3: Lahiru Kumara to Hardik Pandya, A touch short again, around middle and sliding down, Hardik works it through square leg for a run.

26.2: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, Back of a length, on top of off at 134.5 kph, Rahul is on his toes as he punches it through point for one.

26.1: Lahiru Kumara to Hardik Pandya, Starts a new spell by digging in a short ball outside off, Pandya slaps it to deep cover for a single.

25.6: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Rahul uses his feet and nearly yorks himself. He digs it out from the lower half of his bat. 90 needed more with plenty of balls remaining, and only one recognized batter left in the hut.

25.5: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Shortish and on off, Rahul punches it towards covers. The fielder inside the ring makes a diving stop.

25.4: Wanindu Hasaranga to Hardik Pandya, A long hop outside off, it's cut through cover-point for one.

25.3: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Gets on the front foot and drives it through mid off for a single.

25.2: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Quicker and fuller on middle, worked to short mid-wicket.

25.1: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Wanindu goes wide of the crease and delivers a full ball on off, Rahul defends it off the front foot.

24.6: Dasun Shanaka to KL Rahul, On a length, on off. Rahul tries to work it towards the leg side but plays it a bit early. The ball goes off the leading edge towards covers for a single.

24.5: Dasun Shanaka to KL Rahul, Touch fuller and close to the off pole again. Rahul takes a stride forward and defends it nicely.

24.4: Dasun Shanaka to KL Rahul, Serves a length delivery on off. Rahul blocks it calmly again.

24.3: Dasun Shanaka to KL Rahul, An appeal for a caught behind from the bowler but nothing much from other players and he is not going to review it either. On a good length and outside off. Rahul presses forward to defend it but the ball beats the outside edge of his blade as Mendis behind the stumps collects it.

24.2: Dasun Shanaka to KL Rahul, Back of a length and around off. Rahul dabs it with soft hands towards the point region.

24.1: Dasun Shanaka to KL Rahul, A fullish delivery on off. Rahul blocks it back to the Lankan skipper.

23.6: Wanindu Hasaranga to Hardik Pandya, Nicely bowled! Tossed up on middle at 80.9 kph. Pandya with a big stride forward as he manages to defend it off the outer half of his blade towards the off side.

23.5: Wanindu Hasaranga to Hardik Pandya, On middle and quicker and Pandya is just happy to defend it out.

23.4: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Gives it some air, on off. Rahul knocks it down to long on for a single.

23.3: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Shortish and around off. Rahul goes back and punches it to the cover fielder.

23.2: Wanindu Hasaranga to Hardik Pandya, Bowls another googly on middle. Pandya manages to work it towards square leg for a single.

23.1: Wanindu Hasaranga to Hardik Pandya, A googly that is tossed up on off. Pandya defends it solidly off the front foot.

22.6: Dasun Shanaka to KL Rahul, Another dot to end the over! Angles a length delivery on middle. Rahul is just happy to tuck it towards the leg side.

22.5: Dasun Shanaka to KL Rahul, Serves a length delivery on middle. Rahul takes a stride forward and blocks it towards the leg side.

22.4: Dasun Shanaka to KL Rahul, Back of a length, on off. Rahul defends it solidly from his crease.

22.3: Dasun Shanaka to Hardik Pandya, Another easy single. Dasun Shanaka bowls a length delivery on middle. Pandya works it to square leg for a single.

22.2: Dasun Shanaka to KL Rahul, Back of a length, on middle. Rahul calmly nudges it through square leg for a single.

22.1: Dasun Shanaka to Hardik Pandya, Lands it on a length, on middle. Pandya with a front-foot defense off the inside half of his blade to deep backward square leg for a single.

22.1: Dasun Shanaka to Hardik Pandya, WIDE! Shanaka fails to get his radar right again and lands a length delivery down the leg side. Pandya tries to clip it but misses.

22.1: Dasun Shanaka to Hardik Pandya, WIDE! Back of a length and it is well down the leg side. Pandya tries to work it towards the leg side but does not connect.

Change in bowling. Dasun Shanaka brings himself into the attack.

21.6: Dunith Wellalage to Hardik Pandya, Shortish and outside off. Pandya chops it to deep point for a single. India need exactly 100 now to win this game!

21.5: Dunith Wellalage to Hardik Pandya, Bowls it quicker and on off at 92.2 kph. Pandya pushes it off the front foot to covers.

21.4: Dunith Wellalage to KL Rahul, Rahul takes a few steps forward and knocks this full delivery on middle to long on for a single.

21.3: Dunith Wellalage to KL Rahul, Bowls it a bit quicker and around off. Rahul drives it square of the wicket on the off side and comes back for the second run. Good placement and good running between the wickets.

21.2: Dunith Wellalage to KL Rahul, Slower through the air and nicely tossed up on off. Rahul defends it off the front foot.

21.1: Dunith Wellalage to KL Rahul, Shortish and outside off. Rahul cuts it to deep point for a couple.

20.6: Kasun Rajitha to Hardik Pandya, FOUR! Boundary to end the over and just what India needed! Kasun Rajitha goes searching for a magic delivery and bowls a full delivery on middle and leg. Pandya flicks it and flicks it in the gap through the square leg region for a boundary.

20.5: Kasun Rajitha to Hardik Pandya, Touch shorter and around off at around 130 clicks. Pandya tries to cut it but is cramped for room as the ball rolls towards the off side hitting the top half of his blade.

20.4: Kasun Rajitha to Hardik Pandya, FOUR! This will give Pandya some confidence. A boundary after 10 overs! Overpitched delivery on off. Pandya leans forward and drives it past mid off for a boundary.

20.3: Kasun Rajitha to Hardik Pandya, Pulls his length back, on off. Pandya fends it from his crease nicely.

20.2: Kasun Rajitha to Hardik Pandya, Goes fuller and around off. A bit of movement away from the batter and Pandya gets a thick outside edge to point as he tries to drive it.

20.1: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, Short delivery and outside off. Rahul pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Kasun Rajitha to continue. He is into his seventh over now.

19.6: Dunith Wellalage to KL Rahul, Too full and outside off, Rahul strokes it through covers for a run. Six singles from the over. 115 needed more.

19.5: Dunith Wellalage to Hardik Pandya, Make it 5 singles. Loopy and full, around off, Hardik strides forward to defend and gets it away off the inner half. It rolls past the diving bowler to long on and they cross. 100 comes up!

19.4: Dunith Wellalage to KL Rahul, Bowls it short and outside off, Rahul hangs back and forces it to sweeper for for the fourth single in this over.

19.3: Dunith Wellalage to Hardik Pandya, Flatter and a touch short on off, Pandya punches it past the point fielder for one.

19.2: Dunith Wellalage to KL Rahul, Carbon copy of the last shot. Fuller and on off, KL drives this time, to long off and rotates the strike.

19.1: Dunith Wellalage to Hardik Pandya, Flighted delivery, very full and on off, Pandya knocks it down to long off and is happy to take a single.

Dunith Wellalage is into the attack now. It would be interesting to see how Indian batters go about their business against this young man.

18.6: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, Excellent delivery, on a driving length outside off, at 130 clicks, Rahul lets it through to the keeper.

18.5: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, Delivers it on a length and around off, KL chooses to stay back as he pushes it to covers.

18.4: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, Play and a miss! Effort ball from Kasun Rajitha. Digs it in short, around middle at 134.4 kph, Rahul tries to pull but it flies over his bat. 

18.3: Kasun Rajitha to Hardik Pandya, Uses the angle of the bowler and works a length ball in the gap at mid-wicket for a single.

18.2: Kasun Rajitha to Hardik Pandya, Fullish and around off, Hardik drives but finds the fielder at mid off.

18.1: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, A bit short in length and outside off, KL goes on his toes and slaps it to sweeper cover for a single.

17.6: Wanindu Hasaranga to Hardik Pandya, Quicker one, full and on middle, Pandya defends it from the inner half to the leg side.

17.5: Wanindu Hasaranga to Hardik Pandya, Wrong 'un, landing full and outside off, Hardik gets forward with a big stretch and defends it.

17.4: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Drags his length short and bowls it outside off, Rahul punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

17.3: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Loopy and landing full around off, Rahul is forward in defense.

17.2: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Flatter delivery on middle, Rahul punches it down and the mid-wicket fielder makes a sliding stop to his left.

17.1: Wanindu Hasaranga to Hardik Pandya, Fuller and on off, Pandya carefully drives it to long off for a run.

16.6: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, Shout for an lbw but the umpire shakes his head. Length delivery around off and jagging back into the batter, Rahul fails to work it around and is rapped on the pads. Perhaps missing the stumps.

16.5: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, Short and wide outside off, Rahul chases and misses.

16.4: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, Angles in a full ball on off, KL gets behind the line and defends it to the off side.

16.3: Kasun Rajitha to Hardik Pandya, Back of a length around off, shooting off the surface, Pandya gets back and fends it away on the leg side. They cross.

16.2: Kasun Rajitha to Hardik Pandya, A gentle outswinger, on a length and outside off, Hardik has nothing to do with it.

16.1: Kasun Rajitha to Hardik Pandya, Fuller in length and on off, Hardik presses forward and drives it to mid off.

16.1: Kasun Rajitha to Hardik Pandya, Wide! Way down the leg side, Hardik leaves. Kusal Mendis flies to his left to collect the ball.

15.6: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Flatter and shorter googly, around off, Rahul moves back and pushes it towards the bowler.

15.5: Wanindu Hasaranga to Hardik Pandya, Shortish and on off, punched past the cover fielder for a single.

15.4: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Goes on the back foot and helps it through square leg for a single.

15.3: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Tossed up on off. Rahul fends it off the front foot nicely.

15.2: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, A googly that pitches on middle. Rahul works it towards the leg side.

15.1: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Flatter and on off, played back to the bowler.

14.6: Kasun Rajitha to Hardik Pandya, In the channel outside off, Hardik shoulders arms.

14.5: Kasun Rajitha to Hardik Pandya, Fuller and around leg, Hardik tries to flick but fails to close the face of his bat. Ends up pushing it to mid on.

14.4: Kasun Rajitha to Hardik Pandya, On a length and outside off, Pandya pushes at it and misses.

14.3: Kasun Rajitha to Hardik Pandya, Angling in around off, on a length, Hardik blocks from the crease.

14.3: Kasun Rajitha to Hardik Pandya, WIDE! Back of a length and it is well outside off. Pandya lets it go.

Drinks break. Sri Lanka have put up a great fight so far. They have picked four wickets and are making the home team sweat hard. 130 runs needed more, and the required rate is not a problem for India but if Sri Lanka keep picking wickets at regular intervals, we will have a close game. Hardik Pandya has joined KL Rahul in the middle.

14.2: Kasun Rajitha to Shreyas Iyer, OUT! LBW! The fourth wicket is down for India and the Lankan Lions are fighting it out in the middle. This game is tightly poised now, folks! Kasun Rajitha bowls it full and on middle and leg. Iyer tries to flick it but misses and gets hit on the pads. A big appeal from Kasun Rajitha follows and he keeps running in celebration without even bothering to turn and look at the umpire. The finger is raised though. Iyer takes the DRS immediately. However, there is daylight between the bat and ball and the Ball Tracking shows that it is the umpire's call on hitting the stumps. So, the original decision stays and Shreyas Iyer walks back disappointed.

14.1: Kasun Rajitha to Shreyas Iyer, Lands it on a good length and outside off. Iyer lets it go watchfully.

13.6: Wanindu Hasaranga to Shreyas Iyer, Slower through the air and outside off. Iyer drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

13.5: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Gives it some air, on off. Rahul leans forward and drives it to long off for a single. Wanindu Hasaranga makes a valiant effort to stop it with a dive to his left but fails to stop it.

13.4: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Touch shorter and turning into middle, Rahul goes back and pushes it to the left of the bowler.

13.3: Wanindu Hasaranga to Shreyas Iyer, A googly on off. Iyer takes his front foot forward and drives it to long on for a single.

13.2: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Tosses it up nicely on off. Rahul leans forward and drives it to deep cover for another single.

13.1: Wanindu Hasaranga to Shreyas Iyer, A full toss and outside off. Iyer drills it to the deep extra cover fielder for just a single.

12.6: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, Back of a length and outside off. Rahul tries to let it go at the last moment but the ball goes off the outside half of his blade towards the point fielder. Another tight over for Sri Lanka.

12.5: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, Serves it on a good length and outside off. It is at 129.6 kph and Rahul is happy to just let it go.

12.4: Kasun Rajitha to KL Rahul, Back of a length, on off. Rahul goes back and blocks it solidly.

12.3: Kasun Rajitha to Shreyas Iyer, Leading edge...but safe! Goes fuller and angles it on middle. Iyer tries to work it towards the leg side but closes his bat face early. The ball goes aerially off the leading edge but in the gap through covers for a single.

12.2: Kasun Rajitha to Shreyas Iyer, Shortish and outside off. The ball seams away a bit and beats Iyer as he tries to cut it.

12.1: Kasun Rajitha to Shreyas Iyer, Lands it on a length, on off at 128.7 kph. Shreyas defends it to the mid off fielder.

Kasun Rajitha is back into the attack. He has bowled two overs prior to this and conceded 14 runs.

11.6: Wanindu Hasaranga to KL Rahul, Ends the over with another googly! Bowls it on off and Rahul gets an inside edge onto his pads as he goes back to defend it. Just a single from the over!

11.5: Wanindu Hasaranga to Shreyas Iyer, Touch shorter and on middle. Iyer pushes it to long on for a single.

11.4: Wanindu Hasaranga to Shreyas Iyer, Serves it fuller and on off. Iyer drives it wide of cover but the fielder, Nuwanidu Fernando dives and stops it.

11.3: Wanindu Hasaranga to Shreyas Iyer, Nice googly on off. Gives it some air again and Iyer defends it back to the bowler.

11.2: Wanindu Hasaranga to Shreyas Iyer, Loopy delivery again, on off. Iyer with a front-foot defense.

11.1: Wanindu Hasaranga to Shreyas Iyer, Tossed up, around off. Iyer drives it to the cover fielder.

Wanindu Hasaranga comes into the attack.

10.6: Chamika Karunaratne to Shreyas Iyer, Shortish delivery again and angling into the body. Iyer pulls it along the ground to deep square leg for a single.12 from the over!

10.5: Chamika Karunaratne to KL Rahul, Back of a length and outside off. Rahul punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

10.4: Chamika Karunaratne to Shreyas Iyer, Angles a length delivery on leg. Iyer works it to mid on for a single.

10.3: Chamika Karunaratne to Shreyas Iyer, FOUR! Shreyas Iyer is ready for this short stuff and enjoying himself out in the middle. Chamika Karunaratne bangs it short and on off. Iyer, who is already on the back foot, pulls it towards the cow corner region for another boundary.

10.2: Chamika Karunaratne to Shreyas Iyer, FOUR! Nicely played! Chamika Karunaratne tries to bounce out Iyer here. However, it comes at a very friendly height on off as Iyer pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

10.1: Chamika Karunaratne to KL Rahul, Bowls a short one on middle and leg. Rahul pulls it to fine leg for a single. He was hurried a bit by that short ball.

Time for Powerplay 2! Now, a maximum of 4 fielders can be placed outside the ring till the 40th over, if the chase is stretched till then.  

9.6: Lahiru Kumara to Shreyas Iyer, Serves it on a length outside off, KL pushes it towards gully. End of Powerplay 1 and India are 67 for 3. 149 needed more with 7 wickets in hand.

9.5: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, Around off, on a length and jagging back in, Rahul works it off the inner edge to square leg for a run.

9.4: Lahiru Kumara to KL Rahul, FOUR! Superb shot! Full and around off, Rahul leans into the drive and thumps it through the gap between covers and mid off. Opens his account.

KL Rahul walks out at number 5!

9.3: Lahiru Kumara to Virat Kohli, OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Once again the crowd is stunned into silence. The only one roaring is the bowler as he is pumped up. He hurls across a length delivery around off at 138.9 kph and gets it to nip back into the batter. Virat Kohli hangs on the back foot and tries to defend but it takes a bit of an inside edge and cannons onto the stumps. India are in a spot of bother here after losing their top three. 154 needed off 243 balls.

9.2: Lahiru Kumara to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Virat Kohli gets off the mark in style! Kumara digs it in short, around off at 142.1 clicks, Kohli swivels on the back foot and pulls it with authority to the deep mid-wicket fence.

9.1: Lahiru Kumara to Virat Kohli, On a good length and outside off, 138 kph, Kohli tries to play at it but it takes the inner half and rolls to square leg.

9.1: Lahiru Kumara to Virat Kohli, Another wide! Short and going down the leg side again, at 142.7 kph, Kohli attempts to pull but it's quite far away.

9.1: Lahiru Kumara to Virat Kohli, Wide! Drifting down the leg side, Kohli tries to buy some cheap runs but fails to deflect it fine.

8.6: Chamika Karunaratne to Shreyas Iyer, Lands it on a length and close to off, at 139.5 kph, Shreyas defends it from the back foot.

8.5: Chamika Karunaratne to Shreyas Iyer, Short in length and wide outside off at 138.3 kph, Shreyas cuts but finds the fielder at point.

8.4: Chamika Karunaratne to Shreyas Iyer, MISFIELD AND FOUR! Width there outside off, short in length, Shreyas chases it and gets it away off the outer edge. It flies behind backward point and Dunith Wellalage slips while stopping the ball. Ends up conceding a boundary. The young boy gets a stare from the bowler.

8.3: Chamika Karunaratne to Shreyas Iyer, Around off, on a good length again, Shreyas goes on the back foot and plays it down to point.

8.2: Chamika Karunaratne to Shreyas Iyer, Extra bounce from a good length outside off, Shreyas feels for it and gets beaten.

8.1: Chamika Karunaratne to Shreyas Iyer, JUST SHORT! Short in length and outside off at 132 clicks, Shreyas stands tall and packs a punch. It's hit aerially but falls in front of Avishka Fernando at cover-point.

7.6: Lahiru Kumara to Shreyas Iyer, Back of a length, around middle and leg at 142.3 kph, Shreyas nudges it behind square leg and crosses for a run.

7.5: Lahiru Kumara to Shreyas Iyer, Bouncer around off at 140.4 clicks, Shreyas Iyer sways away from the line of fire at the last moment.

7.4: Lahiru Kumara to Shreyas Iyer, FOUR! Streaky! Kumara fires in a full ball on middle, skidding off the surface at 142.7 kph, Shreyas tries to use the angle to flick but gets a leading edge. It goes aerial but in the gap at point for a boundary.

7.3: Lahiru Kumara to Shreyas Iyer, Angling in around middle, Shreyas stays back and pushes it towards mid on.

7.2: Lahiru Kumara to Shreyas Iyer, Close to off, on a good length at 142 kph, Iyer is squared up a bit as he defends it towards point.

7.1: Lahiru Kumara to Shreyas Iyer, Beaten! Kumara fires in a 143 kph length ball, around off and holding its line, Shreyas pushes inside the line and misses.

6.6: Chamika Karunaratne to Virat Kohli, Fuller and on off, Kohli closes the face of his bat and pushes it towards mid on.

6.6: Chamika Karunaratne to Virat Kohli, Wide! Yet another extra. Chamika Karunaratne bowls it way wide outside off, Kohli has nothing to do with it.

6.5: Chamika Karunaratne to Virat Kohli, Full and around off, the batter has just blocked that from his crease.

6.4: Chamika Karunaratne to Virat Kohli, Outside off, left alone.

6.3: Chamika Karunaratne to Virat Kohli, Fuller and on off, Kohli drives but finds the fielder at extra cover.

6.2: Chamika Karunaratne to Virat Kohli, Inswinger on middle and leg, on a length, Kohli tries to flick but misses. He is hit high on the pads.

6.1: Chamika Karunaratne to Virat Kohli, Another delivery in the channel outside off, Virat allows it through to the keeper.

6.1: Chamika Karunaratne to Virat Kohli, Wide! Short and way wide outside off, Kohli leaves.

5.6: Lahiru Kumara to Shreyas Iyer, Full and outside off, pushed to mid off. End of an eventful over, 12 runs and a wicket off it.

5.5: Lahiru Kumara to Shreyas Iyer, FOUR! Wow! A 150 kph delivery, full and on off, Shreyas Iyer gets on the front foot and crunches it through extra cover for a glorious boundary.

5.4: Lahiru Kumara to Shreyas Iyer, Appeal for an lbw! Not given and Sri Lanka take the DRS. Kumara dishes out a sharp inswinger, around middle and on a length, Iyer is stuck on the back foot, attempting to flick but misses. He is pinged on the front pad, they appeal but the finger stays down. Dasun Shanaka takes the referral but the Ball Tracking shows that it's missing the stumps.

Shreyas Iyer walks out at number 4!

5.3: Lahiru Kumara to Shubman Gill, OUT! CAUGHT! The crowd has gone silent all of a sudden. Kumara hurls across a shortish ball on middle, at 142.1 kph, Shubman Gill gets back and tries to play his favourite half-pull. He fails to get it from the middle of his bat and the ball flies straight to Avishka Fernando at mid-wicket. He is the only fielder present there on the leg side and Gill is unfortunate to pick him. Either side of that fielder and it would have been a hat-trick of boundaries. Gill departs. 175 needed off 267 balls.

5.2: Lahiru Kumara to Shubman Gill, FOUR! This man is all class! Kumara changes his line and delivers a length ball outside off, Shubman Gill transfers his weight into the shot as he presses forward and caresses it through covers.

5.1: Lahiru Kumara to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Meanwhile, Shubman Gill continues to go his merry way. Fuller in length and around middle at 147 kph, Gill picks it off his pads and clips it through the gap at mid-wicket for a boundary.

Virat Kohli walks in next.

4.6: Chamika Karunaratne to Rohit Sharma, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! A wicket against the run of play! Chamika Karunaratne, the street-fighter, strikes and gets the big fish, Rohit Sharma! On a good length and around off. Sharma tries to punch it towards the off side. However, he does so without much foot movement and gets a faint outside edge. Kusal Mendis behind the stumps makes no mistake and this is what Lanka needed. Can they pick up two-three quick wickets now to put pressure on India?

4.5: Chamika Karunaratne to Rohit Sharma, Short and outside off. Sharma cuts it to the cover fielder who fails to stop it and the batters take two.

4.4: Chamika Karunaratne to Rohit Sharma, Back of a length, on off. Hits the bat pretty hard again as Rohit defends it towards the off side.

4.3: Chamika Karunaratne to Rohit Sharma, This one nips back in a bit! Short of a good length, pitching on off and coming into the batter. Sharma just about manages to fend it off the inside half of his blade.

4.2: Chamika Karunaratne to Rohit Sharma, Back of a length and outside off at 130.3 kph. The ball seams away after pitching and beats Sharma who tries to cut it.

4.1: Chamika Karunaratne to Shubman Gill, Short and wide outside off. Gill chops it wide of point for a single.

Chamika Karunaratne comes into the attack, replacing Kasun Rajitha. 

3.6: Lahiru Kumara to Rohit Sharma, Good delivery to end the over! Lands it on a length and angles it on middle. Sharma is again a bit early into his shot as he tries to work it towards the leg side. Gets a bit of a leading edge towards the off side.

3.5: Lahiru Kumara to Rohit Sharma, Back of a length and angling into off. Sharma tries to pull it but plays it a bit early as the ball goes off the toe-end of his blade to wide mid on.

3.4: Lahiru Kumara to Rohit Sharma, Serves it fuller and on middle. Sharma pushes it to mid on this time.

3.3: Lahiru Kumara to Rohit Sharma, Back of a length and around off. Sharma punches it to the point fielder.

3.2: Lahiru Kumara to Rohit Sharma, SIX! Here we go, a Rohit Sharma pull shot! Kumara bowls a bouncer on middle. Sharma picks the length quickly and pulls it all the way over the fine leg fence for a maximum.

3.1: Lahiru Kumara to Rohit Sharma, Touch short, pitching on middle and it nips back in. Sharma, who tries to work it towards the leg side, misses it. The ball hits him high on the pads and goes towards the off side. A half-appeal from the bowler but it is too high.

2.6: Kasun Rajitha to Shubman Gill, Back of a length again and angling into the pads. Gill tries to work it towards the leg side but misses. The ball goes off his pads towards deep square leg and the batters run two leg byes.

2.5: Kasun Rajitha to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Oh, man! Lovely balance, and perfect timing. Back of a length and around off. Gill transfers his weight on the back foot and punches it through covers for another boundary.

2.4: Kasun Rajitha to Rohit Sharma, Angles a full delivery on the pads. Sharma flicks it to fine leg for a single. Nice timing again!

2.3: Kasun Rajitha to Rohit Sharma, FOUR! Boundaries are flowing for India! Short and wide and Rohit Sharma is too good a player to miss out on it. He stands tall and cuts it over and wide of point for a boundary.

2.2: Kasun Rajitha to Rohit Sharma, Back of a length, on off. Sharma defends it calmly towards the point fielder.

2.1: Kasun Rajitha to Rohit Sharma, On a good length and outside off. Sharma leaves it alone without much fuss.

1.6: Lahiru Kumara to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Oh, another shot that will make you admire this young talent! Kumara bowls another half-volley, outside off. Gill plays a lovely cover-drive with a beautiful sound off his blade as the ball races away towards the fence.

1.5: Lahiru Kumara to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Gill is off the mark with a glorious boundary! Pure class, this. Overpitched delivery, around off. Gill leans forward and caresses it through covers for a lovely boundary.

1.4: Lahiru Kumara to Shubman Gill, On the shorter side and outside off. Gill rides the bounce and punches it left of the point fielder where Wanindu Hasaranga dives and stops it.

1.3: Lahiru Kumara to Shubman Gill, Back of a length and around off. Gill with a solid back-foot defence.

1.2: Lahiru Kumara to Shubman Gill, Oh, well bowled! Back of a length and outside off at 140.5 kph. The ball seams back in and beats Gill as he tries to cut it. Mendis dives to his left and makes a good stop as the ball goes under the blade of Gill and comes off the bounce to him.

1.1: Lahiru Kumara to Shubman Gill, Serves it on a good length and outside off. Gill leaves it alone.

Lahiru Kumara to speed in from the other end.

0.6: Kasun Rajitha to Rohit Sharma, Angles it on off. Touch short of a good length again and Sharma blocks it back to the bowler. Five from the first over and we did not see much swing for Kasun Rajitha here.

0.5: Kasun Rajitha to Rohit Sharma, Back of a length, on off. Sharma stays tall in his crease and defends it comfortably.

0.4: Kasun Rajitha to Rohit Sharma, Goes a bit fuller and it shapes in a bit on middle. Sharma tries to drive it but gets an inside edge onto his pads. It excites the bowler a bit but nothing much.

0.4: Kasun Rajitha to Rohit Sharma, WIDE! Bowls a length delivery but drifts down the leg side. Sharma tries to clip it but misses.

0.3: Kasun Rajitha to Rohit Sharma, Short and outside off. Rohit cuts it hard again but straight to the cover fielder.

0.2: Kasun Rajitha to Rohit Sharma, FOUR! Oh, what a shot to get underway! Shortish length, on off. Sharma dances down the track and smashes it through covers for a boundary. India are away in style.

0.1: Kasun Rajitha to Rohit Sharma, Starts off with a good-length delivery on off. A hint of away movement there and Sharma blocks it solidly onto the turf.

Welcome back for the run-chase, folks! The Sri Lankan players have made their way out to the middle and they would have to be on top of their game to put pressure on India. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are the openers for India. Kasun Rajitha to start with the first new ball. Here we go...

...THE RUN CHASE…

A target of 216 on a superb batting wicket for India. They should chase it down with ease but in cricket, anything can happen. There is some assistance for the spinners and Sri Lanka have the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage to make use of it. Early wickets will be the key for them. Let's see if they present any fight. Do join us in a short while.

Mohammed Siraj (5.4-0-30-3) says that the wicket did not have much pace at the start and he was trying to bowl stump-to-stump as there was no swing. Mentions that he was just trying to keep the pressure on. Tells that he was talking to KL Rahul and he said that there was not much swing after the first over and that's why Siraj attempted to bowl with a scrambled seam. Feels that it is a batting wicket and Kuldeep bowled an extraordinary spell. States that the Indian batters just need to keep it simple to chase this total down.

The only change that India made for this game was replacing the unfit Yuzvendra Chahal with Kuldeep Yadav and he grabbed the chance with open arms. He bowled with a lot of control and skills, and his execution of plans was brilliant. The other bowlers also rallied around him and the likes of Umran Malik and Mohammed Siraj were again among the wickets.

The start from Sri Lanka was decent as they batted out Powerplay 1 by losing only one wicket and managed to put 51 runs on the board. Debutant Nuwanidu Fernando and Kusal Mendis formed a partnership and the former impressed everyone with his calm and composed knock. At the first Drinks break, the visitors looked in control and would have been dreaming of a score in excess of 300 but Kuldeep Yadav came out of syllabus for them. The magical wrist spinner created havoc and ran through the middle order in a jiffy. From 102 for 1, Sri Lanka collapsed to 126 for 6. The lower order contributed a few handy runs, taking the score above 200 but failed to last the distance.

A dominant bowling show from India on a batting-friendly surface. They will be immensely pleased with their efforts on the field - bundling out the opposition for a paltry score inside 40 overs. The crowd has loved the entire action thus far and is roaring as the Men in Blue walk off the field.

39.4: Mohammed Siraj to Lahiru Kumara, OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Siraj wraps it up in a matter of four deliveries and finishes with three wickets as Sri Lanka have been bowled out for 215! This is full and straight on middle. Lahiru Kumara tries to drive it without much footwork and gets an inside edge. The ball brushes his pads and knocks over the stumps. This has been a poor batting effort from the Lankans and the Indian team along with its fans is a happy lot.

39.3: Mohammed Siraj to Lahiru Kumara, Back of a length, around off. Lahiru Kumara fends it towards the off side.

Lahiru Kumara is the last batter.

39.2: Mohammed Siraj to Dunith Wellalage, OUT! CAUGHT! Gone this time! A handy knock from the young man but Siraj has the last laugh after getting hit for a six on the first ball. This is on a shortish length and outside off, angling across the left-hander. Dunith Wellalage punches it off the outside half of his blade but straight to point where Axar Patel takes yet another sharp catch. Nine down now!

39.1: Mohammed Siraj to Dunith Wellalage, SIX! Siraj has been greeted with a maximum here by young Dunith Wellalage! This is short and on off. Dunith Wellalage looks awkward as he pulls it but gets enough bat on it to hit it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Mohammed Siraj comes back into the attack. 5-0-24-1 are his figures so far.

38.6: Hardik Pandya to Kasun Rajitha, Back of a length, on off. Kasun Rajitha stays outside the line of the ball and punches it off the outside half of his blade to the point fielder.

38.5: Hardik Pandya to Dunith Wellalage, Back of a length and around off. Dunith Wellalage steers it towards third man for a single.

38.4: Hardik Pandya to Dunith Wellalage, Shortish delivery, around off at 133.5 kph. Dunith Wellalage goes for the pull shot but misses it completely.

38.4: Hardik Pandya to Dunith Wellalage, WIDE! Bangs it short on middle. It is too high though and Dunith Wellalage ducks under it. The umpire calls it wide.

38.3: Hardik Pandya to Kasun Rajitha, On a length and outside off. Kasun Rajitha slashes it to deep backward point for a single.

38.2: Hardik Pandya to Kasun Rajitha, Beaten again! Back of a length and outside off. Kasun Rajitha tries to punch it towards the off side without much foot movement and misses it.

38.1: Hardik Pandya to Kasun Rajitha, A slower length delivery, around off. Kasun Rajitha tries to push it towards the off side but misses.

Change. Hardik Pandya comes back into the attack. 0 for 23 in his 4 overs so far.

37.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Dunith Wellalage, Couple more to end the over! Loopy delivery on middle. Dunith Wellalage paddles it to the fine leg region and comes back for the second run. Kuldeep finishes with 3 for 51 in his 10 overs. Fantastic effort.

37.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Kasun Rajitha, Touch shorter and on middle. Kasun Rajitha works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

37.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Kasun Rajitha, Tossed up, around off. Kasun Rajitha fends it off the outside half of his blade towards the off side.

37.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Kasun Rajitha, FOUR! A poor effort this from Pandya! This is fuller and around off. Kasun Rajitha drives it to the left of the long off fielder. Pandya covers the line of the ball but fails to get his hand down in time and the ball goes off his shoes towards the fence. 200 up!

37.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Kasun Rajitha, Another loopy delivery, turning into middle. Kasun Rajitha works it towards square leg.

37.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Kasun Rajitha, Tossed up nicely on off. Kasun Rajitha drives it off the outside half of his blade to point.

36.6: Mohammad Shami to Dunith Wellalage, FOUR! Third boundary of the over and Sri Lanka need these runs. On the shorter side and outside off. Dunith Wellalage punches it through the point region and beats the diving effort from Umran Malik in the deep.

36.5: Mohammad Shami to Dunith Wellalage, Back of a length and outside off. Dunith Wellalage tries to slash it away but misses.

36.4: Mohammad Shami to Dunith Wellalage, FOUR! This time an outside edge produces a boundary! Just short of good length, around off. Dunith Wellalage tries to push it but gets an outside edge as the ball straightens after pitching. It runs away towards the third-man fence for a boundary.

36.3: Mohammad Shami to Kasun Rajitha, A low full toss on off. Kasun Rajitha makes room and drives it to the left of Pandya at mid off. The vice-captain runs to his left, dives full length and stops it. Just a single.

36.2: Mohammad Shami to Kasun Rajitha, FOUR! There is value for shots on this ground! Touch shorter and around off. Kasun Rajitha makes room and cuts it through the cover-point region for a boundary.

36.1: Mohammad Shami to Dunith Wellalage, Back of a length, around off from 'round the wicket. Dunith Wellalage punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

35.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Kasun Rajitha, Turning in towards off and a touch fuller. Kasun Rajitha who tries to defend it gets an inside edge past the stumps towards the leg side.

35.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Kasun Rajitha, Shorter and on off. Kasun Rajitha pushes it towards the off side from the back foot.

35.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Kasun Rajitha, Switches to 'round the wicket and bowls it on off. Kasun Rajitha goes forward and blocks it.

35.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Kasun Rajitha, Touch short and on middle. Kasun Rajitha works it to square leg.

35.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Kasun Rajitha, FOUR! Good shot! Tosses it up again on leg. Kasun Rajitha gets low and paddles it towards the fine-leg fence for a boundary.

35.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Kasun Rajitha, Tossed up on middle and it turns into leg. Kasun Rajitha presses forward and tries to defend it but gets hit on the pads.

34.6: Mohammad Shami to Kasun Rajitha, Extra bounce from a shortish length around off, Kasun fends it away, down towards third man, and picks up a single.

34.5: Mohammad Shami to Kasun Rajitha, Play and a miss! Fuller in length and around off, Kasun stays back to drive but fails to connect.

34.4: Mohammad Shami to Dunith Wellalage, Lands it on a length around off, angling in, Dunith stays back and steers it down to third man for one.

34.3: Mohammad Shami to Kasun Rajitha, Outside off, on a length, eased down to third man for a single.

34.2: Mohammad Shami to Kasun Rajitha, Bumper around off, Rajitha leans back and lets it be.

34.1: Mohammad Shami to Dunith Wellalage, Shortish and outside off, steered down to deep point for a run.

Kasun Rajitha is the next man in.

33.6: Umran Malik to Chamika Karunaratne, OUT! CAUGHT! A splendid catch from Axar Patel this time. Back of a length outside off, at 144.3 kph, Chamika Karunaratne camps back to smash it square of the wicket on the off side but does so aerially towards backward point. Axar Patel is ready to dive and he completes a superb catch with a full stretch. Great anticipation. A brief period of resistance is over and Sri Lanka are now 8 down.

33.5: Umran Malik to Chamika Karunaratne, Bumper around off, at 139.5 kph, Chamika Karunaratne ducks immediately.

33.4: Umran Malik to Chamika Karunaratne, Drifting down the leg side, Chamika clips it off his pads and it goes on one bounce to the man at leg slip.

33.3: Umran Malik to Chamika Karunaratne, Around off, played down from the back foot to backward point.

33.2: Umran Malik to Chamika Karunaratne, FOUR! Makes good use of the Free Hit! Width there outside off, short in length, Chamika reaches out and smashes it over covers.

33.2: Umran Malik to Chamika Karunaratne, Shortish and on off, Chamika defends it to the off side. Looks for a run but slips in the process and returns. The siren goes off, it's a no ball for overstepping...

33.1: Umran Malik to Chamika Karunaratne, FOUR! Sweetly done! Back of a length, around off at 143.1 clicks, Chamika Karunaratne camps back and punches it with great timing through covers.

32.6: Mohammad Shami to Chamika Karunaratne, Fuller in length and outside off, Chamika Karunaratne lofts it through the line and it flies from the toe end of his bat. Clears mid off and they get three runs.

32.5: Mohammad Shami to Chamika Karunaratne, On a good length around off, Chamika hops and defends it down.

32.4: Mohammad Shami to Chamika Karunaratne, Beaten! A gentle outswinger outside off, on a length, Chamika pushes inside the line and misses.

32.3: Mohammad Shami to Chamika Karunaratne, Terrific delivery. Shami goes short around off and it shoots off the surface. Karunaratne is on his toes as he tries to fend it away. Takes a blow on his gloves this time.

32.2: Mohammad Shami to Chamika Karunaratne, Bowls it short and wide outside off, Chamika allows it through to the keeper.

32.1: Mohammad Shami to Dunith Wellalage, Lands it on a fuller length outside off, Dunith Wellalage opens the face of his bat and guides it to deep point for a single.

Mohammad Shami is back on. Four overs for 21 runs so far.

31.6: Umran Malik to Chamika Karunaratne, Another shortish delivery, sharp and outside off, Chamika again looks away as he makes a leave by crouching.

31.5: Umran Malik to Chamika Karunaratne, Fast and furious! Umran Malik bangs it in short, well-directed at the batter, Chamika Karunaratne takes his eyes off the delivery as he tries to duck. Ends up taking a blow on his body.

31.4: Umran Malik to Chamika Karunaratne, Shortish on off, punched off the back foot to cover-point.

31.3: Umran Malik to Chamika Karunaratne, FOUR! Digs it in short, around middle and leg, Chamika Karunaratne helps it on its way down to fine leg. The ball races away and beats the diving effort of Kuldeep Yadav near the fence.

31.2: Umran Malik to Chamika Karunaratne, Short again, wide outside off, but inside the tram line, Chamika Karunaratne makes a leave.

31.1: Umran Malik to Chamika Karunaratne, Sharp delivery at 141 kph, short and on off, Chamika goes on the back foot and defends it near the surface on the off side.

Drinks break. What a turnaround this has been! Sri Lanka were going nicely till the last Drinks break but after that, they completely lost their way. Kuldeep Yadav ran through the middle order with his crafty spin bowling and Axar too supported him well as the Lankans now are seven down and are looking completely down the barrel. Dunith Wellalage and Chamika Karunaratne can bat though and Sri Lanka need a special effort from them to get anywhere close to a competitive total on this very good batting deck. On the other hand, India would be looking to wrap things up quickly here.

30.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Dunith Wellalage, Floated googly around off, Dunith walks forward and hits it from the bottom half of his bat. It goes on one bounce to the bowler.

30.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Chamika Karunaratne, Shortish and on off, Chamika Karunaratne goes back and cuts it to deep point for a run.

30.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Chamika Karunaratne, Kuldeep switches to 'round the wicket and bowls it on middle. The ball turns down and beats the attempted flick shot from Chamika. There is a muted appeal for an lbw but nothing doing.

30.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Chamika Karunaratne, Slower through the air, full and around off, Chamika defends it on the leg side.

30.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Dunith Wellalage, Slightly short and on off, Dunith gets back and punches it to sweeper cover for a run. Chamika Karunaratne looks for another run but is sent back.

30.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Dunith Wellalage, Loopy delivery, a low full toss on off, Dunith Wellalage drives it to covers.

29.6: Umran Malik to Chamika Karunaratne, Back of a length and around off, over 141 clicks again and Chamika Karunaratne dabs it towards the off side. Just 2 from the over!

29.5: Umran Malik to Dunith Wellalage, A fullish delivery and outside off at 142.6 kph. Dunith Wellalage drives it to deep cover for a single.

29.4: Umran Malik to Dunith Wellalage, On the shorter side and angling into middle and leg at 141.5 kph. Dunith Wellalage tucks it towards the leg side.

29.3: Umran Malik to Dunith Wellalage, Back of a length, on off at 139.3 kph. Dunith Wellalage rides the bounce and blocks it out.

29.2: Umran Malik to Chamika Karunaratne, On a length, on off. Chamika Karunaratne pushes it with soft hands towards mid off and takes a single.

29.1: Umran Malik to Chamika Karunaratne, Shortish delivery and outside off at 151.8 kph. Chamika Karunaratne leaves it alone.

28.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Dunith Wellalage, Serves it a bit flatter and quicker on off. Dunith Wellalage goes back and blocks it calmly.

28.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Dunith Wellalage, Goes 'round the wicket and bowls it fuller on off. Dunith Wellalage defends it off the front foot.

28.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Dunith Wellalage, Turning away from off and on the shorter side again. Dunith Wellalage cuts it to the backward point fielder.

28.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Dunith Wellalage, FOUR! Nicely played by the young man! Touch shorter and around off. Dunith Wellalage waits for it and just guides it through backward point for a boundary.

28.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Dunith Wellalage, Tossed up again on middle. Dunith Wellalage presses forward to defend it.

28.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Dunith Wellalage, Loopy delivery on middle at 81.2 kph. Dunith Wellalage pushes it towards the off side.

27.6: Umran Malik to Chamika Karunaratne, Serves it fuller and outside off. Chamika Karunaratne drives it off the bottom of his blade to mid on.

Chamika Karunaratne is in next as Sri Lanka continue to go down like ninepins.

27.5: Umran Malik to Wanindu Hasaranga, OUT! CAUGHT! Wanindu Hasaranga's handy little cameo comes to an end! Great bowling change this from Hardik Pandya as Malik strikes in his first over of the second spell. This is a tad short and outside off at 145.3 kph. Wanindu Hasaranga tries to punch it but does so off the outside half of his blade. He hits it straight to the point region where Axar Patel takes a sharp catch. Sri Lanka sink further and they would need a miracle from hereon to get to a competitive total on this pitch.

27.4: Umran Malik to Dunith Wellalage, Back of a length, on leg. Dunith Wellalage clips it to deep mid-wicket and looks for a second run but settles for a single.

27.3: Umran Malik to Wanindu Hasaranga, Short and outside off. Wanindu Hasaranga cuts it crisply to sweeper cover for a single.

27.2: Umran Malik to Dunith Wellalage, Just short of good length and around off. Dunith Wellalage chops it to the right of the point fielder. The fielder dives and stops it but the batters take a single. 150 comes up!

27.1: Umran Malik to Dunith Wellalage, Starts off his second spell with a back-of-a-length delivery, around off. Dunith Wellalage dabs it towards the point fielder.

Rohit Sharma is currently off the field and Hardik Pandya is leading the team at the moment. Will his choice to bring back Umran Malik work?

26.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Wanindu Hasaranga, Fraction shorter and around off. Wanindu Hasaranga goes back and punches it to the cover-point fielder. 14 from the over!

26.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Wanindu Hasaranga, Comes 'round the wicket and angles it on middle. Wanindu Hasaranga blocks it from his crease.

26.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Wanindu Hasaranga, FOUR! Lovely shot! Touch shorter and quicker again, around off. Wanindu Hasaranga goes deep in his crease and plays it late as he guides it through the gully region for a boundary. Wanindu Hasaranga has successfully managed to disturb Kuldeep's rhythm here.

26.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Wanindu Hasaranga, Fires it quicker and on off. Wanindu Hasaranga drives it to covers. 'Time le, time le, jaldi mat kar!' screams KL Rahul from behind the stumps, which means don't rush.

26.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Wanindu Hasaranga, FOUR! Kuldeep Yadav overcompensates and pays the price! Shortish length, on off. Wanindu Hasaranga rocks back and cuts it through cover-point for a boundary.

26.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Wanindu Hasaranga, SIX! Looks like Wanindu Hasaranga has decided to take on the bowling here! Tossed up, around off. Wanindu Hasaranga dances down the track and tonks it over long off for a maximum.

25.6: Axar Patel to Wanindu Hasaranga, Goes fuller and around off. Wanindu Hasaranga leans forward and drives it to deep point for a single.

25.5: Axar Patel to Dunith Wellalage, Touch slower and around off. Dunith Wellalage pushes it with soft hands towards the off side for a single.

25.4: Axar Patel to Dunith Wellalage, Quicker again from Patel. On middle. Dunith Wellalage tucks it to the leg side.

25.3: Axar Patel to Dunith Wellalage, Good change of pace. He bowls it quicker this time on off. Dunith Wellalage goes back and fends it behind square on the off side.

25.2: Axar Patel to Dunith Wellalage, Slower through the air, on off. Dunith Wellalage blocks it off the front foot.

25.1: Axar Patel to Dunith Wellalage, Fires it quicker and fuller on middle. Dunith Wellalage defends it towards the leg side.

24.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Wanindu Hasaranga, FOUR! Put away. This boundary has come against the run of play. Short and around off, Wanindu Hasaranga goes back and cuts it through point for a boundary.

24.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Dunith Wellalage, Loopy and full, around off, Dunith Wellalage drives it through covers for a single.

24.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Wanindu Hasaranga, Flatter and fuller, forced down to long off for one.

24.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Dunith Wellalage, Quicker one, around middle, Dunith goes back and helps it to square leg for a single.

Dunith Wellalage is the next man in.

24.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Charith Asalanka, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Kuldeep Yadav is bowling like a man possessed and Sri Lanka are completely clueless about his magic. Yadav lets out a wrong 'un this time, landing full and drifting around middle. Charith Asalanka leans forward to flick it across the line but closes the face of his bat early. It turns in his hands also and the ball tamely pops out back to the bowler. Kuldeep Yadav accepts the return catch gleefully and now has three wickets in the game.

24.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Charith Asalanka, Fuller and on off, defended back.

23.6: Axar Patel to Wanindu Hasaranga, Quicker one, full and on off, Wanindu Hasaranga gets forward and defends it off the inner edge to short mid-wicket.

23.5: Axar Patel to Wanindu Hasaranga, Short and on off, Wanindu goes back to cut but finds point.

23.4: Axar Patel to Wanindu Hasaranga, Fuller and on off, pushed off the front foot to covers.

23.3: Axar Patel to Wanindu Hasaranga, The batter has just blocked that from his crease. It took the inside edge and struck him on the pads.

23.2: Axar Patel to Wanindu Hasaranga, Shortish and around off, Wanindu Hasaranga cuts but fails to beat the diving cover fielder.

23.1: Axar Patel to Charith Asalanka, Shortish and on off, punched down to long on for a run.

22.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Wanindu Hasaranga, Tossed up around off, Wanindu Hasaranga goes on the back foot in defense.

Wanindu Hasaranga walks out to the middle now.

22.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Dasun Shanaka, OUT! SOUND OF TIMBER! This is a huge blow to Sri Lanka. Kuldeep Yadav is sending a reminder that he is too good to be left out of the Playing XI. Smart bowling. Yadav sends it across a bit flatter through the air, around leg and on a fuller length, Dasun Shanaka goes down and across to sweep, he went a little too across, and then fails to connect with his attempted shot. The leg stump is disturbed and the crowd roars. Sri Lanka are on the mat now. The replays show that it clipped the pads of the batter before going onto the stumps and perhaps a leg slip in place could have played on Shanaka's mind.

22.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Charith Asalanka, Extra air on this delivery, full and on middle, Charith drives it down to long off for a single.

22.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Dasun Shanaka, Floated and on middle, Dasun drops it with soft hands to cover-point for a run.

22.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Charith Asalanka, Short and on off, punched to deep cover for a run.

22.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Charith Asalanka, Fuller and on off, pushed to covers.

21.6: Axar Patel to Charith Asalanka, Slower through the air, on off. Charith Asalanka defends it with soft hands towards the off side for a single.

21.5: Axar Patel to Charith Asalanka, That is defended solidly off the front foot.

21.4: Axar Patel to Charith Asalanka, Short and on off, cut to deep cover for two runs.

21.3: Axar Patel to Dasun Shanaka, Full and on middle, eased down to long on for a single.

21.2: Axar Patel to Dasun Shanaka, Flatter arm ball on off, defended.

Dasun Shanaka walks out to the middle now.

21.1: Axar Patel to Nuwanidu Fernando, OUT! RUN OUT! Young Nuwanidu Fernando has just discovered how cruel the world can be! A terrible way to get out. Flighted delivery, full and on middle, Fernando uses his feet and flicks it towards mid-wicket. Shubman Gill manning that region puts in a dive to attempt for the catch but it falls just short. Nuwanidu Fernando has set off for a run and Charith Asalanka also takes a start but then waits for the fielder to complete his theatrics. He, then, realizes that Gill has stopped the ball and immediately tries to send his partner back. Meanwhile, Nuwanidu Fernando has reached a point of no return and is run out. A sad end to a promising knock.

20.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Charith Asalanka, Put down? Quicker and shorter on off, Charith Asalanka goes back to cut but gets a thick outside edge. It brushes the gloves of the keeper and dies down in front of the slip fielder. He tries his best to catch it on the rebound but the ball slips away.

20.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Nuwanidu Fernando, FIFTY ON DEBUT FOR FERNANDO! Flighted and around middle and leg, Nuwanidu Fernando goes down and sweeps it to deep square leg for a single. He becomes the sixth Sri Lankan to score a fifty or more on his ODI debut.

20.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Nuwanidu Fernando, Shout for a caught behind, not given. KL Rahul looks interested for a while and then shakes his head when asked for the DRS by Rohit Sharma. Not given a wide so maybe it touched the pads of the batter. Down the leg side, turning further away, Nuwanidu Fernando tries to flick but misses.

20.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Charith Asalanka, Floated one, too full and down the leg side, Charith Asalanka clips it behind square leg for a single.

20.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Charith Asalanka, Short on off, turning away, Asalanka cuts but finds point.

20.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Charith Asalanka, Flighted and full on middle, Charith defends it from the crease.

19.6: Axar Patel to Nuwanidu Fernando, Quicker and flatter on middle. Nuwanidu Fernando blocks it from his crease.

19.5: Axar Patel to Charith Asalanka, Goes fuller and on middle. Charith Asalanka drives it to long on for a single.

19.4: Axar Patel to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! Finds the edge this time but it is a boundary for Charith Asalanka! Touch shorter and on off. Charith Asalanka tries to push it towards the leg side but the ball goes straight with the arm and catches the outside edge of the blade. It runs away towards the third man fence for a boundary.

19.3: Axar Patel to Charith Asalanka, Touch slower and shorter too. Bit of a turn away from the batter and Charith Asalanka defends it back to the bowler.

19.2: Axar Patel to Charith Asalanka, On off and flatter. Charith Asalanka defends it off the front foot.

19.1: Axar Patel to Nuwanidu Fernando, Fires it quicker on middle. Nuwanidu Fernando again uses his feet and knocks it to long on for a single.

18.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Nuwanidu Fernando, Gives this one a bit more air, on off. Nuwanidu Fernando gets to the pitch of the ball and drives it to long off for a single.

18.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Nuwanidu Fernando, Touch shorter and turning away a bit, on off. Nuwanidu Fernando goes back and defends it.

18.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Charith Asalanka, A loopy delivery on off. Charith Asalanka fends it towards the off side and takes a quick single.

18.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Nuwanidu Fernando, Another single as Nuwanidu Fernando uses his feet again. This is on middle and Nuwanidu Fernando drives it easily to long on for a single.

18.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Charith Asalanka, Bowls it fuller and on leg. Charith Asalanka tucks it towards square leg for a single.

18.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Nuwanidu Fernando, Tossed up, on off. Nuwanidu Fernando shimmies down the track and drives it to long off for a single.

17.6: Axar Patel to Nuwanidu Fernando, Quicker and on middle, helped to square leg for a single.

17.5: Axar Patel to Nuwanidu Fernando, Flatter and around leg, skidding down, Fernando tries to flick but misses. A mild appeal for an lbw dies down quickly. Missing leg.

17.4: Axar Patel to Charith Asalanka, Goes fuller and on middle. Charith Asalanka drives it to long on for a single.

17.3: Axar Patel to Charith Asalanka, A flatter delivery on off. Charith Asalanka drives it back to the bowler.

Charith Asalanka walks in next.

17.2: Axar Patel to Dhananjaya de Silva, OUT! BOWLED! Dhananjaya de Silva departs for a golden duck!  Axar Patel now strikes with his second delivery and does the trick with an arm ball. He bowls it on middle at 88.3 kph and the ball comes in with the angle. Dhananjaya de Silva tries to drive it but misses as the ball brushes his pads and deflects onto the stumps. Pressure on Sri Lanka now and they need to rebuild here!

17.1: Axar Patel to Nuwanidu Fernando, Fuller and on off, driven through cover-point for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva is the new batter, at number 4. It's important for Sri Lanka to not lose their way in the middle overs. Axar Patel also comes into the attack now.

16.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Kusal Mendis, OUT! LBW! Kuldeep Yadav strikes in his first over and this is what he can do! A genuine wicket-taker and he has broken a very fruitful 73-run stand here for Sri Lanka! Yadav lands it just short of full length on middle at 87.1 kph. Mendis pushes forward to defend but it is a googly and turns away a hint to hit his back leg. Yadav appeals and the umpire raises his finger. However, Mendis decides to take the DRS. The replays roll in and the UltraEdge shows no bat here. The Ball Tracking shows it's the umpire's call on hitting the wickets. So, the original decision stays and Mendis walks back shaking his head.

16.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Nuwanidu Fernando, Bowls it quicker and on middle. Nuwanidu Fernando punches it to long on for a single.

16.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Nuwanidu Fernando, Bit more air and fuller on middle. Nuwanidu Fernando tucks it towards the leg side again.

16.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Nuwanidu Fernando, Nice loopy delivery on middle. Nuwanidu Fernando fends it off the front foot towards the leg side.

16.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Kusal Mendis, Touch shorter and quicker on middle. Mendis goes back and works it to square leg for a single.

16.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Nuwanidu Fernando, Kuldeep Yadav starts off with a tossed-up delivery on off. Nuwanidu Fernando knocks it to long on for a single. 100 up for Sri Lanka.

A huge roar from the crowd as India finally decide to use a spinner. Here comes Kuldeep Yadav. A slip for him. 

15.6: Umran Malik to Nuwanidu Fernando, Angles a length delivery on middle. Nuwanidu Fernando clips it to fine leg for a single. 11 from the over, a good one for Sri Lanka.

15.5: Umran Malik to Nuwanidu Fernando, Nice timing again! On a length, on off. Nuwanidu Fernando punches it through covers and gets two runs as the fielder in the deep cuts it off.

15.4: Umran Malik to Kusal Mendis, Back of a length and around off. Mendis steers it to third man for a single.

15.3: Umran Malik to Kusal Mendis, SIX! Superb shot! Malik goes short again. However, it sets up at a good height on middle. Mendis gets into his position early and pulls it over deep square leg for a maximum.

15.2: Umran Malik to Nuwanidu Fernando, Bowls a shortish delivery again, on middle. This time it hurries the batter a bit and he just about manages to guide it to third man for a single.

15.1: Umran Malik to Nuwanidu Fernando, Back of a length and outside off at 138.3 kph. Nuwanidu Fernando sways away from the line of the ball easily.

Drinks break. Sri Lanka are going along nicely here after losing Avishka Fernando early. The debutant Nuwanidu Fernando is looking calm in the middle and Mendis too has looked fluent. However, it is all about converting these starts into a big score for these Lankan batters and they would need it on this very good batting deck. The Indian bowlers, on the other hand, have done reasonably well but given the nature of this pitch, they need to bowl stump-to-stump line and it would be interesting to see how the spinners go about their business on this turf.

14.6: Hardik Pandya to Kusal Mendis, Pitches it up and outside off, Mendis presses forward and drives it to the right of sweeper cover. Axar Patel runs across to his right but it's to his wrong side. By the time, he picks it up with his left hand, the batters get the chance to complete the second run.

14.5: Hardik Pandya to Kusal Mendis, Fuller and on off, Kusal defends it from the outer part of his blade to cover-point.

14.4: Hardik Pandya to Nuwanidu Fernando, Short and around off, Fernando uses his height to get on top of the bounce and guides it down to third man for a run.

14.3: Hardik Pandya to Nuwanidu Fernando, Full and angling down the leg side, Nuwanidu flicks it firmly to deep backward square leg for a run. Suryakumar Yadav (sub) in the deep experiences some bad bounce and fumbles, allowing the batters to pinch the second run as well.

14.2: Hardik Pandya to Nuwanidu Fernando, Angling in around off, fuller in length, Nuwanidu Fernando gets behind the line and defends it down.

14.1: Hardik Pandya to Nuwanidu Fernando, Fuller and on off, at 135.6 kph, Nuwanidu Fernando gets forward with a straight bat and pushes it gently off the outer edge to point.

Will Hardik Pandya continue? Yes, he is ready to bowl his fourth over.

13.6: Umran Malik to Kusal Mendis, On a length around off, Mendis again plays square of the wicket on the off side. This time it's stopped with a dive at backward point.

13.5: Umran Malik to Kusal Mendis, Lands it on a good length, close to off, Mendis goes back and forces it down to deep backward point for a couple of runs. Kusal was a bit late in turning for the second run but completed it with ease in the end.

13.4: Umran Malik to Kusal Mendis, Beaten all ends up! At 140.7 clicks, Umran gets a length ball to straighten off the seam outside off, Mendis is squared up a shade as he is beaten on the outside edge.

13.3: Umran Malik to Kusal Mendis, Full in length on middle, it's clipped through mid-wicket for an easy couple.

13.2: Umran Malik to Kusal Mendis, Spears it very full and on off, at 139.5 kph, Mendis drives it down to mid off.

13.1: Umran Malik to Nuwanidu Fernando, Back of a length on off, angling in at 139.2 kph, Fernando helps it in front of square leg for a single. The 50-run stand comes up.

12.6: Hardik Pandya to Nuwanidu Fernando, Edgy! Fuller and on middle, skidding off the surface, Nuwanidu Fernando tries to flick but closes the face early. It flies down to third man off the leading edge and they cross.

12.5: Hardik Pandya to Kusal Mendis, On a length outside off, played down to third man for a run.

12.4: Hardik Pandya to Nuwanidu Fernando, On middle, easily worked through square leg for one.

12.3: Hardik Pandya to Kusal Mendis, Leans forward to a full ball and opens the face of his bat late. He drives it past the diving backward point fielder for a run.

12.3: Hardik Pandya to Kusal Mendis, Wide! Way wide outside off, shaping further away, Mendis makes an easy leave.

12.2: Hardik Pandya to Kusal Mendis, In the channel outside off, on a length and holding its line, Mendis offers no shot.

12.1: Hardik Pandya to Nuwanidu Fernando, Fuller in length and around leg, Nuwanidu flicks it behind square leg and takes a single.

11.6: Umran Malik to Kusal Mendis, Shortish and on off, Mendis goes on his toes and taps it down to backward point. Expensive start from Umran.

11.5: Umran Malik to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Bang! Wrong line and punished. Short in length and wide outside off, Kusal rocks back and slaps it through backward point for a boundary.

11.4: Umran Malik to Nuwanidu Fernando, Fuller and on middle, Nuwanidu flicks it through square leg for a single.

11.3: Umran Malik to Nuwanidu Fernando, FOUR! Flashes and flashes hard. Nuwanidu Fernando is showing no fear against the pace of Umran Malik. Short in length and outside off, the debutant throws his hands at it and edges it over first slip for a boundary. Kolkata is not a good place to show ordinary football skills. 

11.2: Umran Malik to Nuwanidu Fernando, FOUR! Great timing and placement. It's on a good length and outside off, Nuwanidu Fernando stays back and steers it through backward point. Mohammad Shami runs across to his right from third man and tries to boot it out but fails. 

11.1: Umran Malik to Kusal Mendis, Umran Malik comes into the attack and clocks 134.1 kph for his warm-up delivery. Shortish and on off, Kusal punches it through cover-point for a single.

10.6: Hardik Pandya to Nuwanidu Fernando, Short in length and outside off, shaping away with some extra bounce, Nuwanidu Fernando offers no shot.

10.5: Hardik Pandya to Kusal Mendis, Gets away with a poor delivery. Short in length and wide outside off, Mendis rocks back and cuts it to sweeper cover for a run.

10.4: Hardik Pandya to Nuwanidu Fernando, Fuller and on middle, Nuwanidu flicks again, this time in front of square on the leg side and scampers across to the other end.

10.3: Hardik Pandya to Nuwanidu Fernando, FOUR! Another fine shot from the debutant. A touch short in length, around middle and leg, Nuwanidu Fernando uses his wrists to flick and does so late to place it down to fine leg.

10.2: Hardik Pandya to Kusal Mendis, The line goes straight and Mendis eases it in the gap at deep mid-wicket for a single.

10.1: Hardik Pandya to Kusal Mendis, Beauty from Hardik! Delivers it on a good length around off and gets some extra zip off the surface. Kusal Mendis stays back to defend with an angled bat but it whistles past the edge.

Powerplay 2 time. A maximum of 4 fielders are now allowed outside the ring till the 40th over.

9.6: Mohammed Siraj to Nuwanidu Fernando, FOUR! What a shot! Stand and deliver stuff! Back of a length angling into off. Nuwanidu Fernando stands tall in his crease and lifts it with a straight blade over mid on for a boundary. 51 for 1 after Powerplay 1.

9.5: Mohammed Siraj to Nuwanidu Fernando, Bowls another bouncer, this time on middle and leg. Nuwanidu Fernando sets up to pull it but then lets it go.

9.4: Mohammed Siraj to Nuwanidu Fernando, Good sharp bouncer from Siraj! Bangs it short and angles it on off. Nuwanidu Fernando does well to sway away from the line of the ball at the last moment.

9.3: Mohammed Siraj to Nuwanidu Fernando, Back of a length and angling into off at 136.4 kph. Nuwanidu Fernando tries to nudge it towards the leg side but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

9.2: Mohammed Siraj to Kusal Mendis, Angles a length delivery on middle. Mendis works it to mid-wicket for a quick single.

9.1: Mohammed Siraj to Kusal Mendis, Beautifully bowled! Just short of good length, pitches outside off. It is an off-cutter and it comes back in with some good bounce as Mendis makes a bold call to leave it.

8.6: Hardik Pandya to Kusal Mendis, On a length, around off. Mendis makes a late decision to leave it but the ball hits the outer half of his blade and runs towards third man as Mendis retains the strike with a single.

8.5: Hardik Pandya to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Glorious shot! Overpitched delivery at 128 clicks. Easy pickings for Mendis as he leans forward and creams it through covers for a boundary.

8.4: Hardik Pandya to Kusal Mendis, Lands it on a length and gets his line a bit straighter on middle. Mendis blocks it onto the turf calmly.

8.3: Hardik Pandya to Kusal Mendis, On a length, on off. Mendis defends it right under his eyes.

8.2: Hardik Pandya to Kusal Mendis, Shortish and outside off again. Mendis initially sets up to cut it but then lets it go.

8.1: Hardik Pandya to Kusal Mendis, Pandya starts off with a back-of-a-length delivery, outside off. A harmless delivery and Mendis leaves it alone.

7.6: Mohammed Siraj to Nuwanidu Fernando, Nopes, not this time. On a length and angling into middle and leg. Nuwanidu Fernando goes for the flick shot but misses it again and gets hit high on the pads.

Hardik Pandya comes into the attack as the first change.

7.6: Mohammed Siraj to Nuwanidu Fernando, WIDE! Fires it full but ends up drifting down the leg side. Nuwanidu Fernando tries to glance it but misses. Will the extra ball fetch him another wicket?

7.5: Mohammed Siraj to Kusal Mendis, Finds the outside edge this time! Lands it on a good length, close to off. Mendis tries to defend it but gets a thick outside edge to third man where the fielder cuts it off and keeps it to just a single.

Did you know? Mohammed Siraj has picked the most number of ODI wickets in Powerplay 1 since 2022. Loves using the new ball.

7.4: Mohammed Siraj to Kusal Mendis, On a length and outside off at 135.1 kph. Mendis leaves it alone this time.

7.3: Mohammed Siraj to Kusal Mendis, Back of a length, around off at 135.7 kph. Mendis dabs it towards the off side with utmost control.

7.2: Mohammed Siraj to Nuwanidu Fernando, Angles a length delivery on middle. Nuwanidu Fernando works it wide of mid on for a single.

7.1: Mohammed Siraj to Nuwanidu Fernando, Serves a fullish delivery on off. Nuwanidu Fernando drives it comfortably to mid off.

6.6: Mohammad Shami to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Just like the openers, Kusal Mendis is also off the mark with a boundary! Shami angles a length delivery on the pads. Mendis tucks it and the ball races away towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

6.5: Mohammad Shami to Kusal Mendis, Back of a length and outside off. Mendis lets it go again.

6.4: Mohammad Shami to Kusal Mendis, Oh, lovely delivery! Lands it on a good length and outside off. The ball comes in with the angle first and then seams away after pitching as Mendis leaves it alone.

6.3: Mohammad Shami to Nuwanidu Fernando, Back of a length, on middle. Nuwanidu Fernando works it to fine leg for a single.

6.2: Mohammad Shami to Nuwanidu Fernando, FOUR! A gentle push and it has raced away to the fence. Shami delivers it on a length, around middle, Nuwanidu Fernando goes back inside the crease and shows it the full face of his bat. It comes off from the sweet spot and scoots past mid on.

6.1: Mohammad Shami to Nuwanidu Fernando, A fullish delivery on off. Nuwanidu Fernando blocks it back to the bowler.

5.6: Mohammed Siraj to Avishka Fernando, OUT! BOWLED! Mohammed Siraj strikes again with the new ball and gets rid of Avishka Fernando who was looking quite good in the middle. He is pumped up and rightly so, this is a big blow to Sri Lanka. Siraj lands this on a good length with a scrambled seam, around off at 141 kph. It seams back in a bit and Avishka Fernando tries to punch from the back foot. However, all he manages to get is an inside edge on this delivery and the ball knocks over the stumps. That extra ball has worked in India's favour!

Kusal Mendis walks in next, at number 3.

5.6: Mohammed Siraj to Avishka Fernando, WIDE! Serves a fullish delivery that drifts down the leg side. Avishka Fernando tries to flick it but misses.

5.5: Mohammed Siraj to Nuwanidu Fernando, Shortish length and outside off. Nuwanidu Fernando throws his blade at it and the ball goes off the outside half towards third man for a single.

5.4: Mohammed Siraj to Nuwanidu Fernando, On a length and around off. Nuwanidu Fernando pushes it to the point fielder this time.

5.3: Mohammed Siraj to Nuwanidu Fernando, Back of a length and outside off. Nuwanidu Fernando dabs it right of the first slip fielder. Kohli there runs across to his right, dives and stops it. Not only that he even fires a direct hit at the batter's end. Excellent commitment by the former skipper!

5.2: Mohammed Siraj to Nuwanidu Fernando, Angles a length delivery on middle at 134.5 kph. Nuwanidu Fernando fends it towards the leg side calmly.

5.1: Mohammed Siraj to Nuwanidu Fernando, Siraj with a length delivery, outside off. The ball is not swinging now and Nuwanidu Fernando lets it go easily.

4.6: Mohammad Shami to Nuwanidu Fernando, Back of a length, around off, Nuwanidu punches off the back foot and it goes off the outer half to third man. A single to close the over.

4.5: Mohammad Shami to Nuwanidu Fernando, Fuller and around off, angling in and straightening a touch, Nuwanidu Fernando covers the line and blocks it back.

4.4: Mohammad Shami to Nuwanidu Fernando, Bowls it a bit short and around off, Nuwanidu plays late and dabs it down to backward point.

4.4: Mohammad Shami to Nuwanidu Fernando, Wide! Sliding down the leg side, on a good length, Nuwanidu Fernando tries to glance but misses.

4.3: Mohammad Shami to Nuwanidu Fernando, FOUR! Waited for 10 balls but now Nuwanidu Fernando has opened his account in international cricket. A touch short and around off, Nuwanidu stays back and cracks it down in front of point as the ball bounces over the in-ring fielder and races away to the fence.

4.2: Mohammad Shami to Nuwanidu Fernando, Slightly wide outside off, further moving away, Nuwanidu leaves it alone.

4.1: Mohammad Shami to Nuwanidu Fernando, Perfect line and length. A touch short and close to off, shaping away off the seam, Nuwanidu Fernando withdraws his bat at the last moment.

3.6: Mohammed Siraj to Avishka Fernando, Fuller and around off, Avishka takes a stride forward and pushes it defensively to mid off. 12 from the over!

3.5: Mohammed Siraj to Avishka Fernando, Short in length and outside off, shaping in, Avishka cuts off the back foot but it goes on one bounce to backward point.

3.4: Mohammed Siraj to Avishka Fernando, Full in length and outside off, Avishka allows it through.

3.3: Mohammed Siraj to Avishka Fernando, FOUR! A hat-trick of boundaries. Mohammed Siraj is struggling with his line at the moment. It's around middle and leg, angling down, Avishka Fernando flicks it up with a strong bottom hand and lifts it over mid-wicket.

3.2: Mohammed Siraj to Avishka Fernando, FOUR! Yet another streaky boundary for Avishka Fernando. Width there outside off, on a length and shaping away, Avishka throws his bat at it and edges it past second slip for a boundary. The fielder at third man hardly got any time to react.

3.1: Mohammed Siraj to Avishka Fernando, FOUR! Fine shot! Mohammed Siraj drifts down the leg side, fuller in length, Avishka Fernando picks it off his pads and whips it over square leg for a boundary.

2.6: Mohammad Shami to Nuwanidu Fernando, Around off, on a length, it's defended off the back foot.

2.5: Mohammad Shami to Avishka Fernando, Extra bounce and movement, outside off, Avishka chases it and runs it down to third man for a run.

2.4: Mohammad Shami to Nuwanidu Fernando, Back of a length and angling down the leg side, Nuwanidu gets a gentle tickle behind this one and it races down to fine leg. They cross and it's given as a leg bye. Nuwanidu Fernando will have to wait for his first run in international cricket.

2.3: Mohammad Shami to Nuwanidu Fernando, Better from the debutant this time. Full and just outside off, Nuwanidu takes a step forward to cover the line and shoulders arms.

2.2: Mohammad Shami to Nuwanidu Fernando, Beats the bat! Even fuller and closer to off, Nuwanidu Fernando's front foot goes nowhere as he tries to defend but is beaten on the outside edge. 

2.1: Mohammad Shami to Nuwanidu Fernando, Lovely delivery. Much fuller and outside off, nipping away, Nuwanidu Fernando feels for it inside the line and misses.

1.6: Mohammed Siraj to Avishka Fernando, Keeps it full around off and delivers an inswinger this time. Avishka Fernando helps it out from the inner half to square leg.

1.5: Mohammed Siraj to Avishka Fernando, Siraj is bowling probing lines. Serves it on a fuller length outside off, shaping away, Avishka presses forward and makes a leave.

1.4: Mohammed Siraj to Avishka Fernando, Another outswinger, around off and nipping away, Avishka defends it from the back foot.

1.3: Mohammed Siraj to Avishka Fernando, Back of a length, around off, Avishka Fernando goes on the back foot and punches it in the gap at extra cover for a couple of runs.

1.2: Mohammed Siraj to Avishka Fernando, Close to off, on a fuller length at 129.2 kph, there is a hint of outswing as Avishka defends it with an angled bat.

1.1: Mohammed Siraj to Avishka Fernando, Siraj delivers it on a fuller length, around off at 131.6 kph, Avishka Fernando allows it through to the keeper.

Mohammed Siraj to share the new ball with Mohammad Shami.

0.6: Mohammad Shami to Nuwanidu Fernando, Hurls a length ball around off, once again Nuwanidu stays on the back foot in defense. A decent first over from Mohammad Shami. 

0.5: Mohammad Shami to Nuwanidu Fernando, A gentle outswinger, in the channel outside off, Nuwanidu Fernando covers the line and shoulders arms.

0.4: Mohammad Shami to Nuwanidu Fernando, Angling in from a length around off, Nuwanidu Fernando defends the first ball of his international career quite solidly from the back foot.

0.3: Mohammad Shami to Avishka Fernando, A bit short in length and outside off, Fernando stays back and guides it past backward point for a run.

0.2: Mohammad Shami to Avishka Fernando, Another outswinger, on a length and outside off, this time Avishka stays watchful as he makes a leave.

0.1: Mohammad Shami to Avishka Fernando, EDGY FOUR! Sri Lanka open their account in a streaky manner. Beautiful delivery from Shami. He serves it on a length, close to off and gets it to shape away from the batter, Avishka Fernando shows no footwork as he pushes inside the line. There is an outside edge and it screams past second slip for a boundary.

We are moments away from the start of the match! The Indian team is in the huddle and after some last-minute instructions from the skipper Rohit Sharma, the players now disperse on the field as Kumar Sangakkara rings the traditional bell here at the Eden Gardens. Avishka Fernando and Nuwanidu Fernando are the openers for Sri Lanka. Mohammad Shami to start the proceedings with the ball. Here we go...

Hardik Pandya is down for a quick chat. He says that as Rohit Sharma is back, things are much more relaxed and he can focus on his well-being but adds that he is always there when the team requires him. Mentions that his body is shaping well and workload management is going well. Feels that there is no point in pushing his body too much with World Cup not far away but adds that he is ready to bowl a full quota of 10 overs when the team requires it. Mentions that Axar Patel's batting has made a big difference and says that it makes his life easy knowing that Axar is batting after him. Tells that Axar has always been a good batter but he is now been able to express that at the international level and it makes the team feel more confident in chalking out different plans.

India (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav (in for Yuzvendra Chahal), Umran Malik.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (WK), Nuwanidu Fernando (on debut) (in place of Pathum Nissanka), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara (In for Dilshan Madushanka).

Rohit Sharma, the skipper of India says that he was in two minds about what to do after the toss. Adds that when you are in two minds it is good to lose the toss and let the opponents decide. Mentions that they are not looking at anything in particular but want to improve as a team as a whole. Feels that what they have done in the past is in the past and they need to look forward and do better. Mentions that he loves playing at Eden Gardens as the crowd is energetic and that motivates him but adds again that what has happened in the past is now past and he has to start fresh. Informs that they have one change with Kuldeep Yadav coming in for Yuzvendra Chahal.

Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka, says that they are batting first as it looks like a very good surface to bat on. Adds that looking at the stats, it favours the team batting first and they want to stick to that. Mentions that it's important to stay relaxed and play your natural game. Informs that they have a couple of changes, Pathum Nissanka and Dilshan Madushanka are not fit and are replaced by Nuwanidu Fernando (on debut) and Lahiru Kumara.  

TOSS - The coin goes up in the air and Dasun Shanaka calls it right. Sri Lanka have decided to BAT first.