India defeated Sri Lanka by 41 runs in a low-scoring thriller at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday.
India won the toss and elected to bat first, but they struggled to get going on a slow and turning pitch. Rohit Sharma top-scored with 53. Sri Lanka made a good start in their chase, but they lost wickets at regular intervals as Kuldeep Yadav claimed four wickets for 40 runs. Dunith Wellalage top-scored with 42 not out, but he was unable to prevent Sri Lanka from falling short.
The match was a close-fought contest throughout, with both teams having opportunities to win. In the end, India's superior bowling attack proved to be the difference.
Rohit Sharma's half-century sets India up
Rohit Sharma was the only Indian batsman to pass 20 runs in the first innings. He scored 53 from 48 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes.
Sharma got off to a slow start, but he accelerated in the middle overs. He hit a six off the first ball of the 14th over to reach his half-century.
Sharma was eventually dismissed by Dunith Wellalage in the 17th over. He was the last of India's top four batsmen to fall, and his dismissal sparked a collapse that saw India lose five wickets for 33 runs.
Kuldeep Yadav's four-wicket haul helps India defend total
Kuldeep Yadav was the star of the bowling attack for India. He took four wickets for 40 runs from his 9.3 overs.
Yadav was particularly effective in the middle overs when he dismissed Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, and Kusal Mendis. He also took the wicket of Mahesh Theekshana in the final over to seal India's victory.
Dunith Wellalage's unbeaten 42 helps Sri Lanka fight back
Dunith Wellalage was the only Sri Lankan batsman to pass 20 runs in the second innings. He scored 42 not out from 46 balls, hitting three fours and a six.
Wellalage was joined by Dhananjaya de Silva in a 54-run partnership for the fifth wicket. The two batsmen put on a solid display of batting, but they were unable to prevent Sri Lanka from falling short.
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