India defeated Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in the 3rd ODI match at Palleke International Stadium, Kandy to seal the series. Winning the toss, Sri Lanka batted first and scored just 218 runs. Despite losing 4 wickets for 61 runs, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma partnership ensured that India won the match with ease.
Sri Lankan captain Chamara Kapugedra won the toss and elected to bat earlier today. Dickwella was dismissed earlier for 13 runs. Jasprit Bumrah bowled with good pace not allowing the Sri Lankan batsmen to score runs freely. At the end of first 10 overs, the hosts scored 37 for 2 wickets. After that Thirimane and Chandimal steadied the innings with a slow partnership with both batsmen struggling to hit the bad balls away for boundaries.
As things were looking good for Sri Lanka, Chandimal was dismissed for 36 in 71 balls. He played a poor stroke ending a 72 runs partnership for the third wicket. Thirimane completed his fifty in his comeback match off 69 balls. The rest of Sri Lankan batting order failed to score runs and lost wickets at regular intervals. Thirimane was dismissed for well-made 80. Rain intervened when the score was 192 for 7 in 47 overs. Siriwardana scored 29 in 27 balls. Sri Lanka scored a modest total of 217 for 9 in 50 overs.
Chasing the target of 218, the Indian innings got off to a worse start losing an early wicket of Shikhar Dhawan. Virat Kohli also was dismissed for 3 runs which were imported from Sri Lanka. At the end of first 10 overs, India posted 35 for 2. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul added 42 runs for the third wicket. KL Rahul and Kedar Jadhav went in quick succession to leave India 61 for 4. Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni steadied the innings with some positive strokes from the stylish right handed batsman. Sharma completed his fifty in 64 balls and continued to smash the Sri Lankan bowlers.
Both batsmen looked in great touch as Sharma played the Sri Lankan bowlers with ease. Rohit Sharma completed his century off 118 balls. MS Dhoni also completed his fifty in 74 balls. It was a brilliant unbeaten 157 runs partnership to help India win the match by 6 wickets with 29 balls to spare. The Indian team won the series with this win.
India 218 for 4 in 45.1 overs ( Rohit Sharma 124*, MS Dhoni 67*, Danajaya 2/38) beat Sri Lanka 217 for 9 in 50 overs ( Thirimane 80, Jasprit Bumrah 5/27) by 6 wickets.
Captain Virat Kohli said: Rohit Sharma was brilliant and MS Dhoni showed great composure to help India to seal the game. Losing wickets is not an issue with small targets as we have chased these targets with ease in the past. We will give other players a chance in the 2 games so that they can stand in various situations.
Man of the match Jasprit Bumrah said: Getting a break for the tour of West Indies was a great thing. This wicket was different as the ball seamed with new ball. It was good to contribute to the team.
India takes a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. The fourth match will be played at Premadasa, Colombo on Thursday.
