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19 March 2024

Champions Trophy SF2: India thrash Lanka to enter final

Published
By Cricket Correspondent with Agencies

World champions India outplayed Sri Lanka in all departments of the game on Thursday to advance to the final of the Champions Trophy against hosts England.

After restricting Sri Lanka to 181 for eight from their 50 overs under the floodlights on a gloomy Cardiff day, India eased to an eight-wicket victory with 15 overs to spare.

The final will be staged at Edgbaston in Birmingham this Sunday.

Shikhar Dhawan, the tournament's top scorer before Thursday's semi-final with 264 runs including two centuries, cut loose again when India set off in pursuit of their modest target.

Dhawan, who recorded the fastest test century by a debutant playing against Australia this year, passed 50 for the third time in the tournament off 73 balls with six fours and a six.

He survived three dropped catches to reach 68 when he was stumped by Kumar Sangakkara off leg-spinner Jeevan Mendis with victory already assured.

Virat Kohli (58 not out) then took charge, hitting a six to reach his half-century, as India romped to victory before a noisy crowd of predominantly Indian supporters.

Sri Lanka needed Lasith Malinga to produce something special if they were to have any hope of beating the form team of the tournament.

But the Indian batsmen know all about the Sri Lanka strike bowler, playing against him regularly in the Indian Premier League, and before Thursday his wickets against India had cost 40.88 runs each.

The two teams have played each other 45 times in the past five years and India, who beat Sri Lanka in the 2011 World Cup final in Mumbai, have now won seven of their last eight games against their Asian rivals.

Dhawan signalled his intentions by driving two fours off Malinga through the covers and upper-cutting him for six off the final ball of his third over.

But he should have been out twice on 18 caught off Nuwan Kulasekara. Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews dropped the left-hander diving to his right at first slip. Sangakkara, standing up to the stumps to the medium pacer, then missed a thin outside edge.

Kulasekara was the unlucky bowler again when substitute fielder Sachitra Senanayake dropped a head-high chance at point after Dharwan had scored 62.

MATHEWS TOP SCORER

Mathews top-scored for Sri Lanka with a battling 51 from 89 deliveries after his opposite number MS Dhoni had opted to field under heavy cloud cover with moisture in the air following a 30-minute rain delay.

Dhoni set attacking fields throughout and even relinquished his wicket-keeping kit after the 22nd over to bowl his medium-pacers. In 222 previous one-day internationals Dhoni had bowled only two overs.

Dinesh Karthik, also a specialist wicketkeeper, took over from Dhoni who won an lbw decision against Mahela Jayawardene with his second delivery.

However, umpire Aleem Dar was forced to reverse his verdict when Jayawardene asked for a review and the television replay showed the batsman had got an inside edge on to the pads. After bowling four overs for 17 runs, Dhoni resumed his wicketkeeping duties.

The India pace bowlers zipped the ball both ways off a full length and Kusal Perera (4) and Lahiru Thirimanne (7) quickly fell to smart catches at second slip by Suresh Raina.

Raina snaffled a third when Sangakkara (17) fended a nasty delivery low to his right and Sri Lanka were reduced to 41 for three after 18 overs. Only 26 runs were scored in the first 10-over powerplay with three maidens.

Sri Lanka were also denied the services of Tillakaratne Dilshan, who pulled a short-pitched delivery from Umesh Yadav for four and unfurled a glorious off-drive which sped to the boundary.

He then started to hobble after driving to leg, received treatment to the back of his right thigh and carried on batting in obvious discomfort for three further deliveries before retiring hurt on 12. Dilshan, still limping, returned at the fall of the seventh wicket to add six runs to his score without being dismissed.

Jayawardene and Mathews painstakingly set about restoring Sri Lanka's fortunes, with the latter striking Ishant Sharma over long-on for the only six of the innings.

But they were unable to break the shackles imposed by the Indian spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, who provided admirable support for the pacemen.

After adding 78 from 113 deliveries with Mathews, Jayawardene was bowled by left-armer Jadeja for 38, swinging across the line.

Mathews survived a chance to Virat Kohli at long-on off Ashwin but was caught in the covers by Bhuvneshwar Kumar two balls later.

INDIA INNINGS

India booked their place in the Champions Trophy final against England after thrashing Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the second semifinal at Cardiff on Thursday.

Chasing a modest target of 182, India won in a canter powered by half centuries from Shikhar Dhawan (68) and Virat Kohli (58 not out).

Raina hit the winning runs steering a Malinga delivery to the fine leg fence as India made 182 for two in 35 overs.

Rohit Sharma (33) and Dhawan gave India a flying start posting a 77-run opening stand in 17 overs making a mockery of the Sri Lanka attack.

Dhawan cracked six boundaries and a six during his knock profiting from two lives.

He was associated in a 65-run stand for the second wicket with Kohli who steered India home hitting four boundaries and a six during his knock.

None of the Sri Lanka could get assistance from the pitch like their Indian counterparts with Malinga being the most expensive going for 54 in his eight overs.



Kulasekera finished with none for 45.



Mathews and Mendis were the wicket takers.


Kohli reaches his half century in style lofting Mendis for a straight six.

Mendis strikes stretching Dhawan who is stumped smartly by Sangakkara ending a 65-run stand for the second wicket. Ind 142-2.

S Dhawan st Sangakkara b Mendis 68 (92b 6x4 1x6)

Kohli clobbers Mendis to midwicket for a boundary as India cruise. Ind 133-1 in 30 overs.

Dhawan completes his half century in style swinging Kulasekera to the square leg fence. Ind 110-1 in 26 overs.

Sri Lanka finally get a breakthrough as Sharma swings and misses a Mathews delivery to be bowled. Ind 77-1 in 17 overs.

R Sharma b Mathews 33 (50b 4x4 0x6)

Sri Lanka are unsuccessful with the decision review after Dhawan is adjudged not out for a leg before appeal off Mathews. Ind 68-0 in 15 overs.

Sharma drives Kulasekera through mid-off as India are going along at a merry pace. Ind 61-0 in 13 overs.

Boundaries are coming thick and fast for India with Rohit punching Kulasekera through the covers.

Dhawan is on fire getting a couple of boundaries slamming Thisara through the covers and a streaky one past the keeper. Ind 50-0 in 12 overs.

Mathews drops a regulation catch at first slip off Dhawan (18) off Kulasekera. Ind 38-0 in 9 overs.

Dhawan cracks another boundary off Thisara giving India a flying start. Ind 36-0 in 8 overs.

Dhawan hits the first six of the innings off Malinga over the head of third man Kulasekera. Ind 28-0 in 6 overs.

Sharma's second boundary off Kulasekera is an edge past the slips as India are on their way.

Rohit hits the first boundary off Kulasekera while Dhawan cracks a boundary off Malinga.

Kulasekera opens the attack while Rohit takes first strike.

India exploited conditions ideally suited to their impressive pace bowlers on Thursday to restrict Sri Lanka to 181 for eight in the second Champions Trophy semi-final in Cardiff.

The winners play England in Sunday's final at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews top-scored with a battling 51 from 89 deliveries after his opposite number MS Dhoni had opted to field under heavy cloud cover with moisture in the air following a 30-minute rain delay.

Dhoni set attacking fields throughout and even relinquished his wicket-keeping kit after the 22nd over to bowl his medium-pacers. In 222 previous one-day internationals Dhoni had bowled only two overs.

Dinesh Karthik, also a specialist wicketkeeper, took over from Dhoni who won an lbw decision against Mahela Jayawardene with his second delivery.

However, umpire Aleem Dar was forced to reverse his verdict when Jayawardene asked for a review and the television replay showed the batsman had got an inside edge on to the pads. After bowling four overs for 17 runs, Dhoni resumed his wicketkeeping duties.

The India pace bowlers zipped the ball both ways off a full length and Kusal Perera (4) and Lahiru Thirimanne (7) quickly fell to smart catches at second slip by Suresh Raina.

Raina snaffled a third when Kumar Sangakkara (17) fended a nasty delivery low to his right and Sri Lanka were reduced to 41 for three after 18 overs. Only 26 runs were scored in the first 10-over powerplay with three maidens.

Sri Lanka were also denied the services of Tillakaratne Dilshan, who pulled a short-pitched delivery from Umesh Yadav for four and unfurled a glorious off-drive which also sped to the boundary.

He then started to hobble after driving to leg, received treatment to the back of his right thigh and carried on batting in obvious discomfort for three further deliveries before retiring hurt on 12. Dilshan, still limping, returned at the fall of the seventh wicket to add six runs to his score without being dismissed.

Jayawardene and Mathews painstakingly set about restoring Sri Lanka's fortunes, with the latter striking Ishant Sharma over long-on for the only six of the innings.

But they were unable to break the shackles imposed by the Indian spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, who provided admirable support for the pacemen.

After adding 78 from 113 deliveries with Mathews, Jayawardene was bowled by left-armer Jadeja for 38, swinging across the line.

Mathews survived a chance to Virat Kholi at long-on off Ashwin but was caught in the covers by Bhuvneshwar Kumar two balls later.

SRI LANKA INNINGS

Sri Lanka were restricted to 181 for eight after being put into bat on seaming conditions at Cardiff.

Dhoni attacked with his pace trio of Kumar, Yadav and Sharma and surprisingly brought himself on returning figures of 4-0-17-0.

Sri Lanka were handicapped at the start when Dilshan retired hurt with a calf injury and slipped to 41-3 by the 18th over.

Their innings failed to gather any momentum despite a 77-run stand for the fourth wicket between Jayawardena (38) and Mathews (51).

Big-hitting Thisara Perera fell for a duck as they attempted to launch a late assault.

Sharma had the best return of three for 33 while Ashwin claimed three for 48.

Malinga smashes a boundary off the last ball as Sri Lanka reach 181-8 in 50 overs with Dilshan returning to remain unbeaten on 18.

Ashwin claims his third wicket as Mendis is stumped. SL 171-8.

J Mendis st Dhoni b Ashwin 25 (35b 1x4 0x6)

Ashwin bowls Kulasekera around his legs as Sri Lanka crash to 164-7.

N Kulasekara b Ashwin 1 (3b 0x4 0x6)

Sharma claims his third wickets as Perera fails to make an impact holing out to Dhawan in the deep. SL 160-6 n 47 overs.

T Perera c Dhawan b I Sharma 0 (4b 0x4 0x6)

Kohli drops a skier from Mathews who fails to profit from holing out to Kumar off Ashwin in the same over. SL 258-5.

A Mathews c Kumar b Ashwin 51 (89b 1x4 1x6)

Mathews completes his 14th ODI half century off 85 balls.

With six overs to go, Sri Lanka begin to attack as Mendis swings Sharma to the square leg fence.

Mathews pulls Yadav for a much-needed boundary. SL 141-4 in 43 overs.

Jadeja and Ashwin bowls consecutive maiden overs as Sri Lanka struggle. SL 119-4 in 38 overs.

Jadeja strikes castling Mahela who misses the line attempting to sweep ending a 78-run stand for the fourth wicket with Mathews. SL 119-4.

M Jayawardene b Jadeja 38 (63b 3x4 0x6)

Mahela picks up a boundary off Jadeja with a superbly timed cut to third man. SL 108-3 in 33 overs.

Mathews survives after being adjudged leg before off Jadeja successfully overturning the decision for the second time in the innings. SL 94-3 in 31 overs.

Dhoni bowls a tight over conceding just a single. SL 83-3 in 28 overs.

Mahela breaks the shackles cracking a boundary off Jadeja and Dhoni. SL 82-3 in 27 overs.

Mahela survives after Sri Lanka successfully overturn the decision after being adjudged leg before.

Dhoni takes his wicket keeping gloves off and hands it to Karthik while Jadeja comes into the attack. SL 61-3 in 23 overs.

Mathews slams the first six of the match hoisting Sharma over long-on. SL 58-3 in 22 overs.

Sangakkara is caught in second slip by Raina who takes his third catch. SL 41-3 in 18 overs

K Sangakkara c Raina b I Sharma 17 (44b 1x4 0x6)

Sri Lanka are struggling in seaming conditions with the second wicket pair of Sangakkara and Thirimanne labour for almost 11 overs to score 19 runs. SL 36-2 in 16 overs.

Ishant Sharma strikes as Thirimanne is snapped up at slip by Raina who takes a superb catch. SL 36-3.

L Thirimanne c Raina b I Sharma 7 (31b 1x4 0x6)

Kumar bowls a second maiden having excellent figures of 8-2-15-1. SL 36-1 in 15 overs.

Thirimanne also hits his boundary slapping Sharma over point.

Sangakkara dances down the track and slams Kumar square of the wicket on the off for his first boundary. SL 32-1 in 13 overs.

Thirimanne is in discomfort after an inside edge hits his thigh off Yadav who bowls a second maiden. SL 26-1 in 10 overs.

Yadav bowls a maiden to Thirimanne. SL 18-1 in 6 overs.

Dilshan hobbles off the field having made 12 off 14 balls with two boundaries. SL 18-1 in 5 overs.

Dilshan is in a bit of discomfort apparently slipping after playing a shot and apparently spraining his calf muscle.

Dilshan pulls a short pitched delivery from Yadav to square for his first boundary and hammers another one straight down the ground.

Kumar strikes in the third over as Kusal Perera edges to Raina at second slip in the third over. SL 6-1.

K Perera c Raina b Kumar 4 (8b 1x4 0x6)

Yadav opens from the other end to Dilshan.

Kusal opens with a boundary off Kumar neatly clipping him to square leg. SL 4-0 in 1 over.

Kumar opens the attack for India with Kusal taking strike.

India field an unchanged team while Sri Lanka have made two changes.

Dinesh Chandimal who had a groin strain is out and replaced by Jeevan Mendis comes.

Thisara Perera has taken the place of Shaminda Eranga.

PLAYING XI

India - S Dhawan, R Sharma, V Kohli, D Karthik, S Raina, MS Dhoni, R Jadeja, R Ashwin, I Sharma, B Kumar, U Yadav
   
Sri Lanka - K Perera, T Dilshan, K Sangakkara, M Jayawardene, J Mendis, A Mathews, L Thirimanne, N Kulasekara, R Herath, T Perera, L Malinga

India have won the toss and bowl against Sri Lanka in what is expected to be a stop-start match with rain clouds hovering over the stadium.

The match is scheduled to start 2pm UAE time.

The start has been delayed again with the main cover back on since rain is expected.

The good news is that play is set to start at 2pm UAE time with the toss taking place 30 minutes before that provided there is no further rain.

There won't be any reduction in overs.

The pitch is ready and the players are warming up but the start time to be decided after another inspection.

The rain has ceased but the start has been delayed because of a wet outfield with an inspection by match officials.

Russell Arnold has tweeted with a picture of the gloomy weather in Cardiff: "Activity on the park... But still very gloomy." (@RusselArnold69)

Former Australian cricketer turned commentators tweeted that the latest match could start is 7.25pm UAE time.

"The weather gods on India's side, this could be a very long day waiting around, latest we can play 4.25pm." (‏@TomMoodyCricket)

There are no reserve days of any matches in the final edition of the Champions Trophy, including for the semifinals and final.

A washout means India will go through by virtue of having topped group B.

Indian commentator Harsha Bogle has tweeted: "too early to talk about it but if no game india go through because they topped their group. need 170 minutes for a 20 over game." (‏@bhogleharsha)

Sri Lankan commentator Russel Arnold has tweeted: "If minimum 20over game is not achieved...game will be decided on a Super over..in case even that is not possible, India go through." (‏@RusselArnold69)

It's raining in Cardiff with less than two hours to go for the start of the match.

"I don't believe any play will be possible if it rains likes this. It's pouring on Cardiff!," Channaka de Silva, Daily Mirror's Sports Editor has posted on Facebook a while ago.

Television commentator Alan Wilkin has also confirmed that it is raining in Cardiff two minutes ago.

"Cardiff weather is atrocious today I am hearing! Not in Cardiff myself, but hope the game goes ahead: India v Sri Lanka." (‏@alanwilkins22)

Former Australia great Shane Warne has also tweeted 15 minutes ago: "Just arriving at the ground, it's absolutely pouring with rain and is meant to rain all day now too.... Such a shame for everyone...." (‏@warne888)

Former Indian player turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has tweeted 30 minutes ago: "Am at the ground in Cardiff for Ind/ SL game. Watching tropical kind of rain for the first time in England :(." (‏@sanjaymanjrekar)

Unbeaten India are the overwhelming favourites to book a berth in the final of the Champions Trophy having a strong batting line-up but is there a chink in their arsenal.

Former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya believes the islanders can pull off an upset win in Thursday's semifinal at Cardiff.

"Their bowling isn't the best, so we need to have a very good plan," said the former champion opening batsman who was the scourge of Indian bowlers during his time.

"The goal was to make the semi-finals. Anything can happen now," Jayasuriya told BBC Sport in an interview.

Jayasuriya, who captained Sri Lanka when they shared the Champions Trophy with India in 2002, says his side are hitting form at the right moment.

"I think the side is really coming up," said the 43-year-old who is chief selector of the side.

"The batting and the bowling unit has been doing really well for the last two years. I'm happy the way things are going."

INDIA SUPERIOR RECORD

Thursday's semifinal will be the fifth meeting between India and Sri Lanka in the United Kingdom.

Except for the shock defeat in the 1979 World Cup, India have easily won the remaining four. But Dhoni is taking nothing for granted.

"Sri Lanka are a dangerous squad. We just can't focus on a Mahela (Jayawardene) or a (Kumar) Sangakkara. We have to think of the entire team," Dhoni told reporters after a training session on Wednesday.

Dhoni said there was no pressure on the Indian team to win the championship.

He also played down the threat posed by slingshot seamer Malinga, renowned for his yorkers.

"We see a lot of Malinga, we understand him better, we play him in the subcontinental conditions where he gets a lot of reversing and where he is one of the most difficult bowlers to face," said India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

India have everything going for them in the Champions Trophy semifinal against Sri Lanka.

Thursday's match in Cardiff is a repeat of the 2011 World Cup final, which India won by six wickets in Mumbai despite a superb century from Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene.

Since then the Asian rivals have met in 10 one-day internationals with India winning seven, Sri Lanka two and one tie.

India have been on a roll ever since landing in the UK despite a raging spot-fixing scandal back home.

The Lankans were the first to face the heat, losing a warm-up game in Birmingham on June 1.

India flexed their batting muscle, easily chasing down a 334-run target with five wickets in hand and six balls to spare with Kohli and Karthik slamming centuries.

However, former Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene says the defeat in the warm-up match will have no significance in the semifinal.

Jayawardene, who reached 11,000 ODI runs during their win against India, said the defeat in Birmingham on June 1 was history.

"Warm-up games or whatever, it doesn't count right now. It's a big tournament. It's the semifinal, so looking forward to that," said Jayawardene.

NEW TRACK

A fresh new track has been laid by the Glamorgan ground staff at Sophia Gardens for the semifinal.

Chief curator Keith Exton says 280 should be a par score but 300 will be very safe, according to a report.

With overcast conditions expected on Thursday, the seamers should get early advantage but batsmen who have been patient and respected the conditions have stood to gain in this Champions Trophy.

Rain has been forecast despite the sun shining brightly on Wednesday in Cardiff which has cast a cloud on the much-looked forward to Champions Trophy semifinal between India and Sri Lanka.

Bad weather spoilt the 2002 final between the two teams on consecutive days in Colombo forcing India and Sri Lanka to share the Champions Trophy for the only time in the history of the mini World Cup.

Sri Lanka will be hoping that there is no rain because in case the match is abandoned India would go through by virtue of having topped their group.

TEAM NEWS

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka suffered an injury scare ahead of the final with left arm spinner Rangana Herath having a stiff neck while middle order batsman Dinesh Chandimal has a groin strain.

Sri Lanka plans to field an unchanged team unless rain forces a shortened game, chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya has been quoted as saying in the 'Daily Mirror'.

“We don’t plan to change the team which did well in the last two games, but if rain forces a shorter game, then we obviously require batsmen who can hit the ball hard,” he said hinting that Thisara Perera will get a recall.

“Chandimal will likely be available for the match but if he is not fit, then we will call in Jeevan Mendis,” said Jayasuriya.

Jayasuriya said that all rounder Thisara Perera could get a call-up in case Herath fails to recover.

LANKA vow to 'fight'

Sri Lanka's pace ace Lasith Malinga was the focus of attention on the eve of the Champions Trophy semifinal against India.

The Mumbai Indians star has had a mixed tournament so far taking four wickets in a losing cause to New Zealand and going for plenty despite taking the key wicket of Glenn Maxwell in the crucial league match against Australia.

Malinga has a poor track record against India with some Sri Lankan fans suggesting all-rounder Thisara Perera should be recalled to the side.

However, skipper Angelo Mathews brushed aside criticism of Malinga, who failed to live upto expectations in the World Twenty20 final against West Indies last year.

The Lankan skipper said India can ignore Lasith Malinga at their own peril.

“Yes, I am aware we play a lot of cricket together but to ignore Lasith is not a good idea. He remains a very experienced man and he will surely have special plans against them,” Mathews said.

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews on Wednesday vowed his "fighting team" were prepared to put recent history behind them when they face India in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy.

At the Champions Trophy, India were the only side who reached the semi-finals on the back of a perfect group record of three wins.

By contrast, Sri Lanka have had to battle their way through following a loss to New Zealand in a low-scoring opener in Cardiff.

But they recovered to beat hosts England and then defeated title-holders Australia on Monday to seal their last four place.

"Especially after the New Zealand game, we had to do it the hard way," Mathews told reporters in Cardiff.

"All three games went down to the wire, and we had to fight really hard to win. We know that we are a fighting team, and we fight to the last moment."

Asked if Thursday's match represented "payback time" for Sri Lanka after their World Cup final heartbreak, Mathews replied: "There's no room for revenge in sport.

"But yes, if we can beat the Indians, I think it'll be a great achievement. On our day we can beat any team."

Sri Lanka will be looking to bowling spearhead Lasith Malinga to disrupt a powerful India top order that includes in-form opener Shikhar Dhawan, the tournament's leading scorer so far with 264 runs, including two hundreds.

Malinga is regarded as one of the world's most awkward bowlers to face, yet the paceman's average against India (40.88) is his worst against that of any opposing country.

India's team in Cardiff is likely to feature only three survivors from the World Cup final - Dhoni and batsmen Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli

They also have a different coach in ex-England boss Duncan Fletcher, who took over from Gary Kirsten shortly after the final with India then top of the world Test rankings.

Early results, including a 4-0 Test series loss in England, went against him.

But Fletcher recently oversaw India's 4-0 home Test trouncing of Australia and the team's much-improved fielding in the Champions Trophy is testament to the former Zimbabwe all-rounder's influence.

"Duncan is someone who knows the basics of cricket really well," said Dhoni.

"When he came in we were going through a phase where some of the senior cricketers that we had, they left us. Also, we were at the top of what we could have done in cricket.

"So he is always someone who would have felt the pressure; to maintain that kind of performance is very difficult.

"But I think he's loving the fact now the team has started to do well and also there are lots of youngsters in the side whom he needs to guide.

"I am just very happy we are doing well for him."

Rain saw hosts Sri Lanka and India share the 2002 Champions Trophy title but there will be no division of the spoils if Thursday's match is a wash-out.

In that case, India will go through to Sunday's final at Edgbaston on account of having won Group B.

Thursday's winners will face England in Birmingham after the tournament hosts beat South Africa by seven wickets in Wednesday's first semi-final at The Oval.