2.1 – No run.

1.6 – Gets it to nip away from a good length, and keeps it outside off does Dube. Avishka Fernando punches it to the cover. Just a couple of runs from Dube’s first over.

Batsman_1 : Avishka Fernando 1(2)

Batsman_2 : Pathum Nissanka 9(10)

Bowler : Shivam Dube 0/2(1)

Over : 2

Run : 2

Wicket : 0

Score : 10/0

1.5 – Short of a good length nipping on the middle, Pathum Nissanka camps back and tucks it with soft hands and along the ground to deep square leg for one.

1.4 – Dube hurls it closer to the body on a good length, Pathum Nissanka inside edges to the pads. A muted appeal from Shivam Dube but just for a brief moment.

1.3 – Good length ball around off, at 124 kph, Pathum Nissanka punches it to the off side on the back foot.

1.2 – Outside off on a shade fuller length, Pathum Nissanka goes on the back foot and dabs it to point.

1.1 – Shivam lands it on a good length with a bit of an away movement from the middle, Avishka Fernando gets squared up and outside edges it towards deep third for a single to get off the mark.

Shivam Dube to bowl his gentle medium pace from the other end.

0.6 – Hard length at off, Pathum Nissanka responds solidly with a front foot block to end the first over. Good positive start for Sri Lanka.

Batsman_1 : Pathum Nissanka 8(6)

Batsman_2 : Avishka Fernando 0(0)

Bowler : Mohammed Siraj 0/8(1)

Over : 1

Run : 8

Wicket : 0

Score : 8/0

0.5 – Four!

0.4 – Good forward defence! Mohammed Siraj bowls it full and straight on the middle. Pathum Nissanka weighs on the front foot and defends it underneath his bat.

0.3 – A gentle outswing on a hard length, outside off, Pathum Nissanka hops on the back foot and punches it to the off side.

0.2 – Siraj corrects his line and bowls it around off, Pathum Nissanka gets forward and defends.

0.1 – FOUR! Pathum Nissanka and Sri Lanka are underway in a positive fashion! First ball dismissal in the previous game and this time, he opens his account with a boundary does Nissanka. Mohammed Siraj bowls a friendly half volley angling on the leg stump line, Pathum Nissanka flicks it over the inner ring and clears the mid-wicket region to get the first boundary.

All in readiness then for the final game of the white-ball tour. The two umpires are the first ones to make their way out to the middle and are followed by the Indian players. It will be the pairing of Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando who will open the innings for Sri Lanka. Mohammed Siraj has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. A couple of slips to begin with. Let’s play…

A coronation ceremony before the match.

Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain says there’s plenty to play for as they have been challenged in the last couple of games. Adds they have addressed what needs to be done as a group and sometimes you need to credit the opposition as well. Informs two changes. Rishabh Pant and Riyan Parag are in for KL Rahul and Arshdeep Singh.

Charith Asalanka, the captain of Sri Lanka says that they are definitely going to bat first. Adds that the conditions look similar and informs that there is one change with Maheesh Theekshana coming in for Akila Dananjaya. Mentions that the guys have done well and are in a good position and want to do more of the same.

India (Playing XI) – Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK) (In for KL Rahul), Riyan Parag (On debut and in for Arshdeep Singh), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) – Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (WK), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (C), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Kamindu Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana (In for Akila Dananjaya), Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando.