India v Sri Lanka Live Final Tri-Nation Series 2013
July 11, 2013
India v Sri Lanka Live Final Tri-Nation Series 2013
At the halfway stage in the competition, it looked like Champions Trophy winners India would have to pack their bags and go back home. They had played two and lost both of them, including one to Sri Lanka after they pounded the Indian bowlers for a score of 348/1 in 50 overs. Then came the turnaround. First they defeated the West Indies after compiling 311 batting first, in the process also garnering a bonus point. Then, in a must-win game against Sri Lanka, they were left to bat first under difficult conditions and struggled through to 119/3 in 29 overs. Rains came down and Sri Lanka were left to chase 178 for a win in as little as 26 overs which they never got close to doing. Bhuvneshwar Kumar grabbed four wickets as Sri Lanka were bowled out for a paltry 96.
It gave India another bonus point and what more, it meant India finished at the top of the points table with 10 points. Sri Lanka and West Indies finished with nine with the Asian side going through to the final thanks to their better net run-rate. Sri Lanka will be worried with their up and down kind of performances this tournament, going into the final. They were blown away by the West Indian batsmen in the first game before that 348/1 innings against India. Then they smashed the West Indies away by 39 runs before losing the rain-affected game against India by 81 runs. Mahela Jayawardene has held Sri Lanka together with his batting, having scored a 100 and a 50 while Angelo Mathews form with both bat and ball has been refreshing. He’s scored 139 runs at an average of nearly 70 and bagged six wickets too.
India will depend on their top three – Rohit Sharma’s shown a lot of consistency this series while Virat Kohli has already hit a match-winning century. With Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan yet to really get going, this could be a brilliant chance for the duo to stamp their authority. There’s good news for India as it looks like captain MS Dhoni might be back for this game, having recovered from his hamstring injury. If that’s the case, Murali Vijay will have to sit out of this game. India’s bowling has been impressive. The conditions have tended to suit the India’s pace bowlers specially Bhuvneshwar Kumar because of the lateral movement on the wicket. Umesh Yadav has had issues with the controlling the new ball but he has been finding the movement. Ishant Sharma has been playing the role of the backup seamer and has so far picked up six wickets in three games. The spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin have also found a lot of turn. The sides are evenly matched. Both of them have beaten each other by thumping margins. Expect the final to be a riveting contest.
Match Timings: July 11, 2013 (09:30 local | 13:30 GMT | 19:00 IST)
Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews (c), Jeevan Mendis, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Rangana Herath, Shaminda Eranga,Lasith Malinga.
India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (c&wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma.
 |
Highlights will be updated here after the Match! |
