IND VS SL ODI

Right then, it's a wrap from the penultimate ODI. Sri Lanka, the home side has comprehensively defeated India by 32 runs and has taken the lead by 1-0 in this 3-match ODI series, which means, they cannot lose the series now. A tremendous comeback by the Lankan Lions when the backs were against the wall. This is their first ODI win against India after a wait of three long years. For India, to save themselves from a series defeat, a win is a must in the last remaining game. They will be going back to the drawing board and analyzing where things went so wrong for them. This India's tour of Sri Lanka has offered nail-biting thrillers. The fans have been treated to sheer entertainment through and through. The final and 3rd ODI is scheduled to be played on August 7, Wednesday and the first ball will be bowled at 2.30 pm IST (9 am GMT). But please do join our pre-match build-up as well. Until then, cheers, and take care.

Charith Asalanka, the skipper of Sri Lanka is up for a chat. On being asked about whether 240 was enough, Asalanka says it was good enough. Says it's good to have Vandersay in the side again and feels it was an unbelievable spell from him. Smiles and says that he is happy to bowl a few overs for his side.

Rohit Sharma, the captain of India says that when you lose a game, everything hurts and you need to play consistent cricket in order to win and they failed to do that today. Adds that you need to adapt to what's in front and keep the left-right combination as it would be easy to rotate but Jeffrey Vandersay bowled well and the opposition was better than them. Mentions that he got 65 runs because of the way he batted and he isn't afraid of taking risks but there is always some disappointment when you get out. Adds that they knew the nature of the surface and how things were going to go, especially in the middle overs and hence, the intent in this first 10 overs has to be there.

Jeffrey Vandersay is adjudged as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning spell of (10-0-33-6). He begins by saying that there was a lot of pressure coming into the side. Tells he was coming off a layoff and had to do something really special. Adds it is easy to take the credit but applaud the batters for playing the way they did and taking them to a good total. Also appreciates Wanindu Hasaranga by saying that he is the number one spinner. Says he had to keep motivating himself and tried to do the basics right. Further mentions that when he got his first wicket, it certainly built his confidence a lot. Ends up thanking God and walks with a broad smile.

The presentation ceremony...

Kamindu Mendis is down for a quick chat. He says that it was a good match and they did really well in all three departments. Adds that the skipper did his job and took excellent decisions. Mentions that he reckoned 210-215 would be a good score but they got 240 and his partnership with Dunith Wellalage was crucial. Adds that chances and half-chances in the field matter a lot which they were able to take and after the T20s, they had good plans which they executed as well.

Earlier in the game, Sri Lanka opted to bat first, despite the R. Premadasa Stadium's average first-innings score being a modest 225. They began cautiously after losing a wicket on the very first delivery. Avishka Fernando and Kusal Perera steadied the ship, building a solid 74-run partnership before both fell in quick succession, forcing Sri Lanka to rebuild once again. However, their middle order crumbled, repeating a familiar pattern after getting decent starts. The decision to include an extra batter down the order proved beneficial, as Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis weathered the storm admirably. Their valuable partnership of 71 for the 7th wicket and 32 for the 8th really saved them. India might be thinking that they conceded too many runs in the last 10 overs - 79 to be precise and couldn't get the tailenders cleaned up quickly.

Sri Lanka, missing their ace spinner Hasaranga, knew early breakthroughs were crucial. Despite the pitch offering grip and turn, they struggled to make inroads initially. Enter Jeffrey Vandersay, filling into Hasaranga's big shoes, who rose to the occasion spectacularly. The leggie turned the match on its head with a gutsy six-wicket haul, single-handedly dismantling and running through India's top and middle order. With momentum slightly slipping again, in comes Charith Asalanka and removes both the well-settled batters in his second spell and it was followed up by Vandersey cleaning up the tail effectively. Sri Lanka played to their skins and were shouldered by some exceptional fielding performances.

With their backs against the wall, India found a hero in Axar Patel, who was thrust into the pivotal number 5 position. The left-hander, partnering with the dependable Washington Sundar, arrested the fall of wickets and navigated the mid-phase adding 38 crucial runs together. The duo struck a fine balance between defense and attack, nudging the score along and keeping the fielding side on their toes. Just as it seemed they had weathered the storm, disaster struck again. Both Axar and Washington fell in quick succession, their dismissals separated by a mere 5 runs. This sudden turn of events breathed new life into the Sri Lankan camp, opening the door for another twist. With 50 odd runs still needed, runs came at a premium against the resurgent Sri Lankan attack. The Sri Lankan bowlers, sensing victory, tightened the screws, making every run a hard-fought affair for the Indian tail-enders.

On a tricky, slow surface, India recognized the importance of a solid platform and delivered just that. Gill and Rohit negotiated the powerplay with a mix of caution and calculated aggression, employing textbook percentage cricket. The skipper Rohit led the charge aggressively, while Gill played the perfect foil, rotating the strike and punishing the loose deliveries. The opening stand of 97 really put India way ahead in the game initially. However, cricket's unpredictable nature soon reared its head as the Men in Blue suffered a dramatic collapse, as the top and the middle order blew away in a flash. India found themselves slipping dramatically from a comfortable 97/1 to a precarious 147/6 in a matter of overs.

SRI LANKA HAVE DONE IT! THEY HAVE HUMBLED THE MEN IN BLUE WITH A TRUE FIGHTING SPIRIT! THEY TAKE THE LEAD BY 1-0. The 'Khettarama' erupts in pride and joy and completely contrasting emotions in the opposite camp. And as they say, it's not over until it's over, Sri Lankan bowlers especially the duo of Jeffrey Vandersay and Charith Asalanka completely decimated the Indian batting line up. The resilience shown by the home side in all three departments was truly commendable. Those handy contributions from Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis with the bat when the chips were down, helped Sri Lanka to post 240 and then a spirited fightback with the ball. What a game of cricket we have had at our disposal.

OUT! RUN OUT! That's it, Sri Lanka have won and they can't lose the series anymore. A bit of a pre-mature end and India will be gutted to lose the final wicket to a run out. Charith Asalanka bowls it quick and flat around off stump, cutting back in. Kuldeep Yadav stays on the back foot looking to cut but it is close to the body. The ball gets chopped back past the stumps and the keeper. Arshdeep Singh calls for the single but Kamindu Mendis at first slip is quick to get to the ball. He fires in a throw at the keeper's end and Kusal Mendis dislodges the bails. Sri Lanka WIN BY 32 RUNS!

OUT! RUN OUT! That's it, Sri Lanka have won and they can't lose the series anymore. A bit of a pre-mature end and India will be gutted to lose the final wicket to a run out. Charith Asalanka bowls it quick and flat around off stump, cutting back in. Kuldeep Yadav stays on the back foot looking to cut but it is close to the body. The ball gets chopped back past the stumps and the keeper. Arshdeep Singh calls for the single but Kamindu Mendis at first slip is quick to get to the ball. He fires in a throw at the keeper's end and Kusal Mendis dislodges the bails. Sri Lanka WIN BY 32 RUNS!

Flatter one, on a length outside off and staying low, Arshdeep Singh flicks it away through the mid-wicket region and picks up a single.

Nicely played by Kuldeep and Jeffrey Vandersay gets a round of applause from the dug-out as he finishes with 6 for 33 in his 10 overs. Tossed up around off, Kuldeep Yadav leans on to defend.

WIDE! Comes from over the wicket and gets the leggie to turn down leg, wide called again.

On the stumps again, Kuldeep Yadav drags the reverse sweep straight to short third.