India produced a dominating display in the 3rd and deciding One-day international match at Vizag against Sri Lanka just finished a few moments ago. Winning the toss, Rohit Sharma asked Sri Lanka into bat. Tharanga played a brilliant knock of 95 and along with Sadeera added 121 runs for the second wicket. After Tharanga fell, last 7 wickets fell for 55 runs as Sri Lanka were bowled out in 44.2 over for 215. Chasing the target of 216, despite losing Rohit Sharma, Dhawan and Iyer put pressure on Sri Lankan bowling attack. Dhawan remained not out, helping team India win the match by 8 wickets.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and invited Sri Lanka into bat. Gunathilaka was dismissed cheaply after scoring 13 runs off 12 balls. After that Upul Tharanga and Sadeera played with positive intent. In the first 10 overs, Sri Lanka scored 68 runs. Tharanga looked in great touch. The left-handed batsman completed his half-century in 36 balls. Sadeera struggled against Kuldeep and also played brilliant shots in between.
Sadeera was dismissed by Chahal for 42 runs. The second wicket partnership added 121 runs for the second wicket. Tharanga who played aggressively could not reach his century. Kuldeep Yadav took important breakthrough dismissing Tharanga for 95. From 160 to 3, Sri Lanka could only score just 215 runs in 44.5 overs. Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal was the pick of bowlers for India.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah took 1 wicket each. Mathews and Gunarante made 17 each after the fall of Tharanga’s wicket.
Chasing the modest total of 216, the Indian team lost an early wicket of inform Rohit Sharma for 7 runs. Shikhar Dhawan and young Shreyas Iyer played with positive intent scoring 55 runs in the first 10 overs. Both batsmen created pressure on the Sri Lankan bowling attack. Iyer reached his fifty off 44 balls while Dhawan completed his 50 off 46 balls. Iyer was dismissed for 65, ending 135 runs stand for the 2nd wicket.
Dinesh Karthik and Shikhar Dhawan continued to play Sri Lankan bowlers easily. The left-handed batsman reached his 100 off 84 balls. India won the match by 8 wickets with 107 balls to spare.
India 219 for 2 in 32.1 overs ( Shikhar Dhawan 100*, Iyer 65) beat Sri Lanka 215 in 44.2 overs ( Upul Tharanga 95, Sadeera 42, Yuzvendra Chahal 3/46, Kuldeep Yadav 3/42) by 7 wickets
Sri Lankan captain Thisara Perera said: We won the first match easily, had a great chance beating India in India. It was a great start by our team, but could not convert starts into big scores. Now we have to think about the T20Is and forget about the past.
Man of the match Kuldeep Yadav said: Sri Lanka got a great start. We wanted to get wickets in the middle overs. The pitch was good for spinners and got a good turn. I worked on my preparation and fitness.
Man of the series Shikhar Dhawan said: It was good batting pitch at night. I have changed my technique and know my game well now. I have lots of experience and convert half-centuries into centuries.
Captain Rohit Sharma said: A great comeback by our team after the loss at Dharamshala, In this game, we showed a lot of character after they were going over 6 runs per over. Whenever we put under pressure, the team has played with aggressive intent.
India won their 8th consecutive ODI series. Now both teams will move to T20I series. The first one will be played on 20th December at Cuttack.
