India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Dunith Wellalage claims a five-wicket haul with the scalp of Kuldeep Yadav as Sri Lanka beat India by 110 runs to clinch the series 2-0. A dismal batting performance by the Indian batters throughout this series. Apart from Rohit Sharma, the star-studded line-up failed miserably to chase the below 250 targets. A disappointing start to India's preparations for Champions Trophy. Sri Lanka (248/7) beat India (138) by 110 runs in Colombo to win the three-match series 2-0.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Maheesh Theekshana gets the wicket of Washington Sundar as India have lost their ninth in the chase. Sundar was timing the ball well but not on this occasion and got caught by Vandersay. IND 138/9 in 26 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Washington Sundar is having fun here as this time he smacked Maheesh Theekshana for a maximum. A good over for India as eight runs came off it. IND 136/8 in 24 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Maiden over from Charith Asalanka as Kuldeep Yadav calmly let the over pass and didn't look in any hurry to score or lose his wicket which other batters committed. IND 128/8 in 23 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Washington Sundar launched the first ball over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. It was in his zone and he decided to go after it and hit a six. The left-handed batter connected another fis on the fourth ball to hurt Vandersay's confidence. He didn't stop there and reverse-swept the fifth ball for a boundary. IND 128/8 in 22 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Jeffrey Vandersay continued from the other end and two runs came off his over. Sri Lanka are looking to wrap things up quickly here. Meanwhile, the two left-handed batters will try to avoid the defeat for the next few overs. IND 109/8 in 20 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Washington Sundar breaks the shackles and hits Maheesh Theekshana for a boundary. Five runs came off his over. The required run rate is well below current but India already have two wickets left. IND 107/8 in 19 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Jeffrey Vandersay gets his second and dismisses Shivam Dube for 9! The left-handed batter cleared his first leg and got trapped in front of the wicket and dismissed cheaply. He wanted to take a review but India have already lost both of them. IND 101/8 in 17.3 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Jeffrey Vandersay gets his first here as Riyan Parag departs for 15! The debutant had a brain fade moment here as he left his stumps open for an invitation and got castled. He would be disappointed by the way he got out here. IND 100/7 in 16 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Jeffrey Vandersay into the attack and both Riyan Parag and Shivam Dube hit him for boundaries. India are only looking to counter-attack in this chase which has hurt them so far. Let's see whether Parag and Dube continue to do the same. IND 92/6 in 14 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Dunith Wellalage strikes again and gets another big wicket - Shreyas Iyer for 8. Iyer went on backfoot to defend the ball but got hit on the pads and was given LBW out. India have also lost their reviews. IND 82/6 in 13 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Axar Patel joins Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and others in the pavilion as Dunit Wellalage outfoxed him for just 2. India are half down in the chase now as nothing is going in their favour. IND 73/5 in 12.1 overs vs SL (248/7)

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Dunith Wellalage strikes again and he gets another big fish as Virat Kohli departs for 20! Kohli failed to read the line of the ball and got plumb in front of the wicket. He ended the series with a disappointing show with the bat and clearly looked unprepared for the spin challenge. IND 71/4 in 10.4 overs vs SL (248/7)

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Rishabh Pant charged down the ground in an attempt to play a big shot but missed everything and got stumped by Kusal Mendis. Maheesh Theekshana with his first wicket of the match as India have lost three wickets inside the powerplay. IND 63/3 in 9.2 overs vs SL (248/7)

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Virat Kohli expertly found the gap and hit a boundary at square leg to keep the scoreboard moving. He is off to a solid start and tonight he has to take the onus on himself to take the team over the line. IND 63/2 in 9 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Dunith Wellalage gets the big wicket of Rohit Sharma who went for a slog sweep but missed it completely and got caught by Kusal Mendis behind the stumps for 35. He once again set the tone of the match with a quickfire start but the onus is now on the other batters. IND 53/2 in 7.1 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Back to Back boundaries from Virat Kohli as 50 up for India here in the chase. The first boundary came through an edge while he decided to stamp his authority on the next ball and charged down the ground to hit another. IND 53/1 in 7 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Dunith Wellalage into the attack and Rohit Sharma hit him for a boundary but it turned out to be a tidy over as only four runs came off it. It will be interesting to see how Virat Kohli will tackle the spinners here. IND 45/1 in 6 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: OUT! Big bow for India as Shubman Gill departs for just 6! The young India opener charged down the ground but missed the length completely and got bowled cheaply once again. IND 37/1 in 4.3 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Rohit Sharma swept it over square leg for a maximum and then freed his arms at the cover for a four to put Sri Lanka on backfoot. He didn't stop there and hit two more boundaries on the last two balls of the over. IND 35/0 in 4 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Maheesh Theekshana into the attack and Rohit Sharma continues to hit boundaries. Shubman Gill also opened his account with a single as seven runs came off the over. IND 12/0 in 2 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Rohit Sharma opened the account with a boundary on the first ball of the innings to make his intentions clear. While Shubman Gill is yet to open his account as he once again looking to play the second fiddle in the opening partnership. IND 5/0 in 1 over

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are in the middle to start the chase for India. Asitha Fernando has the ball in hand.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Mohammad Siraj bowled an expensive final over here as 13 runs came off it as Sri Lanka managed to post a score close to 250. They managed to shift the gears in the last three overs to get back into the game and post a challenging total on a tricky track. SL 248/7 in 50 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Excellent penultimate over from Kuldeep Yadav as he claimed a crucial wicket of Kusal Mendis. While Rishabh Pant failed to execute a stumping in time on the final ball as Maheesh Theekshan survived. SL 235/7 in 49 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Kusal Mendis breaks shackles and completes his half-century with back-to-back boundaries. It turned out to be an expensive over from Riyan Parag, as 12 runs came off the over. A much needed over for Lanka at this stage to keep 250 hopes alive. SL 229-6 in 48 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Kuldeep Yadav returned to the attack and he bowled a tidy four-run over. 250 looks highly unlikely from here now as Sri Lanka will look to get past 240 from here. SL 217/6 in 47 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: A couple of tidy overs for India as Kusal Mendis is struggling to break the shackles. He has played 70-plus balls and hit just one boundary which is also putting pressure on his batting partners. SL 212/6 in 46 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI:Riyan Parag strikes again and this time he dismisses man in form Dunith Wellalage for just two. The youngster is all charged up after his third wicket on debut. Sri Lanka are feeling the pressure now. SL 199/6 in 43.3 overs vs IND

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Washington Sundar castles Janith Liyanage for 8! A crucial wicket for India to strengthen their grip over the game. The hosts are half down now but they have a chance to get 250 here. SL 196/5 in 42.4 overs vs IND

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Janith Liyanage hit Mohammad Siraj for a boundary, and the Indian pacer wasn't very impressed with that. He gave a mouthful to him on the next delivery. Six runs came off the over as Sri Lanka are looking to build a partnership here. SL 194/4 in 41 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: A tight over from Riyan Parag as only four runs came off his over. He has been brilliant with the ball today to make it a memorable debut for him. SL 188/4 in 40 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Mohammad Siraj gets the big wicket of Sadeera Samarawickrama for a golden duck. It was a toe-crushing yorker and hit Sadeera's shoe before the bat. The on-field umpire gave it not out but Siraj and Kohli convinced skipper Rohit to take the review and it worked in their favour. SL 184/4 in 38.5 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Riyan Parag strikes again and this time dismisses Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka for 10. Another lbw as Parag has turned out to be the golden arm of the Indian team in this match. SL 183/3 in 38 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Riyan Parag strikes and gets the massive wicket of Avishka Fernando for 96! Maiden ODI wicket for Parag and he stopped Fernando from scoring a century and broke a crucial partnership to pull India back into the game. SL 171/2 in 35.3 overs vs IND

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI:Kusal Mendis charges down the ground and hits Kuldeep Yadav for a boundary, a much-needed to break the shackles for him. 6 runs came off the over. SL 165/1 in 35 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Axar Patel continued from one end and he got some good assistance from the surface and managed to trouble the batters. Meanwhile, it's time for Kusal Mendis to break the shackles. SL 159/1 in 34 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: A couple of tight overs as Axar Patel delivered a maiden while Kuldeep Yadav gave three runs off his over. However, the pressure is mounting on India to get a wicket. SL 156/1 in 33 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Another expensive over from Mohammad Siraj as 10 runs came off it. Avishka Fernando is in his 80s with a boundary off the last ball of the over. A very good knock from the Lankan batter as he shifted gear at the right moment. SL 153/1 in 31 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Three runs came off Washington Sundar's over. Rohit Sharma is running out of options now as the lone pacer in the squad - Mohammad Siraj has turned expensive today thus far. SL 143/1 in 30 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: A big over for Sri Lanka as 19 runs came off it. Mohammed Siraj produced a chance on the first ball by forcing an edge from Avishka Fernando's bat but it was a bit wide from Rishabh Pant. Avishka rubbed salt into Siraj's wounds by smashing him for a couple of sixes. SL 140/1 in 29 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: A partnership is building between Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis here as the Indian bowlers look ineffective in terms of producing chances. Avishka Fernando looks well-set now and controlling the game calmly. SL 121/1 in 28 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: A couple of tight overs for India as Sri Lanka are finding it a bit tricky to tackle the spin here. Eight runs came off the last two overs as India are desperately looking for a wicket here. SL 115/1 in 27 overs

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Slice the ball for another four and with that, Avishka Fernando completes a hard-fought, gritty half-century – his 4th against India. After putting on 88 runs for the opening wickets, Fernando takes Sri Lanka beyond a 100. India pulling out all the stops now as Riyan Parag is introduced. Starts with some off-spin. Remember, Rohit has to get 40 overs out of spinners today.

Sri Lanka 107/1 after 25 overs.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Pathum Nissanka’s wicket promises to put a slight break on Sri Lanka’s scoring, and as it should. Kusal Mendis playing himself in and Fernando too seems to have taken a bit of a cautious approach. India would be glad that they are finally getting some turn out of this surface.

Sri Lanka 94/1 after 22 overs.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Gone! The wicket India so desperately wanted. Pathum Nissanka slog sweeps Axar Patel but top edges it to Rishabh Pant. Misses his fifty by 5 runs. Is it the blogger’s curse? Wait, is that even a thing?

Sri Lanka 89/1 after 20 overs.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: This start has been beyond beautiful from Sri Lanka. Asalanka wanted to bat first and Nissanka and Fernando’s efforts must have made the captain happy. Nissanka is five short of his second fifty of the series, and Avishka eight as Sri Lanka march on.

Sri Lanka 88/0 in 19 overs.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Hmmm! Clearly not India’s day thus far. Wickets not falling and now a misfield at short fine leg by Kuldeep Yadav. Worse? The ball carries away for a boundary. Rohit is not impressed. Sri Lanka continue to go strong.

Sri Lanka 75/0 after 16 overs.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: With Axar slowly starting to leak runs, India hand the ball to their best spinner, Kuldeep Yadav. Washington Sundar bowled another tight over but India need it from both ends. Kuldeep comes in and immediately creates some excitement as India take a DRS for stumping. No damage done though

Sri Lanka 67/0 after 15 overs.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Axar starting to get read now. Two pretty similar balls – one gets thwacked for four, the other smoked for six. Absolutely no turn anymore. Far too easy it’s becoming for the Lankan openers now.

Sri Lanka 64/0 after 13 overs.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: In comes Washington Sundar and does not give anything away. The ball stopping a little and the look on Nissanka’s face tells the story.

Sri Lanka 51/0 after 12 overs.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Just a little too predictable now from Axar Patel. The ball lands in the slot and Nissanka slog sweeps for a six. This has been a strong start from Sri Lanka. The runs are coming at a good pace as the 50 is up – Nissanka and Fernando’s 4th fifty-plus partnership. India need to find way to end this partnership soon.

Sri Lanka 51/0 after 11 overs.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Siraj now bowling from the same end as Shivam Dube but there’s not much of a difference. Gets clipped for a couple of runs towards deep square leg and loses his line again next ball to get hit for a FOUR. Tough to believe it’s the same Siraj who has a history of wrecking the Sri Lankan batting. End of the first Powerplay

Sri Lanka 41/0 after 10 overs.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: With two runs in the first two overs, Axar Patel has started brilliantly. The perfect combination of looping the ball and darting it in at the same time. A bit of turn but nothing alarming yet. However, there is some stoppage in the ball as it pitches.

Sri Lanka 34/0 after 9 overs.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: It was only a matter of time. Rohit doesn’t even wait for the first 10 overs to complete before replacing Siraj with Axar Patel. And rightly so. There’s absolutely no assist for Siraj and this is no doubt a surface for the spinners to feast on. Dube meanwhile concedes his first boundary as Avishka Fernando finally gets a connection. His second boundary. Dube is upset as he lets out a scream.

Sri Lanka 33/0 after 8 overs.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Another clinical over from Dube. Even better to be honest as he constantly attacks the stumps. The odd one just bounces but Nissanka is able to get underneath it. Rishabh Pant for some reason is standing too far, as he would to let’s say Jasprit Bumrah. Just one off the over

Sri Lanka 27/0 after 6 overs.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: There is absolutely no seam or swing movement. Avishka Fernando this time stands and deliver, and Siraj with that look again on his pace. Usual pacer doesn’t seem to be doing the trick at the moment. Much better over this from Siraj but the conditions are such.

Sri Lanka 26/0 after 5 overs.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Dube starts off with a teeny-tiny appeal. Seemed like an inside edge but the umpires signalled leg-byes. Dube still persisting with that 4th stump line, just pushing the batters into two minds. Should I play, should I leave? Dube doing everything a frontline pacer is asked to. Another tight over; just 2 off it.

Sri Lanka 20/0 after 4 overs.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Siraj’s length and line slightly off the mark here. A bit too much room given on that occasion and Pathum Nissanka carves it through the off-side, through the fielders for his third four. A bit of a stop in player there. The ball has already taken a boundary and it’s been just three boundaries hit so far. The umpires are giving it a look. Maybe it’s the seam. Play resumed and Siraj strays in line again. Nissanka with another four as he is clipped off the batter’s pads. Everything flying off the bat.

Sri Lanka 18/0 after 3 overs.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: This is interesting. Dube clearly doesn’t have the pace but even with his speed, the batters will find it challenging on a pitch as dry as this one. A couple of military medium pacer on off and middle stump keeps Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando on their toes. Much better over; just two runs off it.

Sri Lanka 10/0 after 2 overs.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: After getting a wicket off the first ball, Siraj gets flicked for a four here to open Sri Lanka’s scoring. Top edge from Pathum Nissanka but has enough to take it to the boundary. Sri Lanka double the boundary count as Nissanka gets another off the legs.

Sri Lanka 8/0 after 1 over.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Unlike the first two ODIs, Colombo is bright and sunny today. As Pathum Nissanka takes strike, Mohammed Siraj walks in his run up. Remember, he is just the lone specialist seamer in India’s Playing XI. Umpire calls play. Siraj running in.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Ranjan Madugalle’s contributions being recognised as he officiates his 400th ODI game. What a number. What a guy. After serving Sri Lankan cricket as a player, Madugalle's role as an ICC referee is immense and it is only fitting that someone like India captain and batting great Rohit Sharma is here to present the memento. And here's a coincidence - Madugalle played the 1979 World Cup match where Sri Lanka defeated India.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: One change for Sri Lanka as well, with Maheesh Theekshana and dropping Akila Dhananjaya. SL indeed are going all guns blazing with their spinners. They really want that first series win over India since 1997.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Quite likely! India have gone ahead with an extra batter, but with Dube not getting the axe, he could very well open the bowling with Mohammed Siraj. If yes, this is a huge gamble, but a test at the same time… just see if Dube is good enough as a bowler at the international level. If he opens the bowling, anything less than bowling 10 overs will be surprising. Love how GG is shaking things up.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: The visual we all felt was inevitable. Riyan Parag gets his maiden ODI cap, confirming his debut in the match. But it's Charith Asalanka, who has won the toss again and opted to bat.

Parag replaces Arshdeep Singh but that't not the only change. Rishabh Pant comes in, KL Rahul goes out. Fresh pitch but another dry deck on offer. A lot more cracks on this one though. Russell Arnold says 'it's a little more challenging for the batters'.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: In both the matches, when Sri Lanka batted first, India had the upper hand, but the lower order resistance shown by the hosts – through Dunith Wellalage's 67 and 39, and Kamindu Mendis' 40, allowed Sri Lanka to get a lot more than India would have expected. In both games, India should not have allowed Sri Lanka to score over 200, but they did and it cost the Men in Blue. India would want to avoid a hat-trick of this Sri Lankan fightback today if it comes down to it.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: In both matches that India have failed to close out, they have chased, which brings the spinners into play. Do India have a better chance of fairing against spin if they bat first? Ummm. Perhaps. Firstly, the pitch would be slightly better to bat on, and the batters can go at their own pace. Later, when it's Sri Lanka's turn to bat, Kuldeep, Sundar and Axar do to the what their spinners have been doing to India - work a spin web.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Rohit Sharma is back doing Rohit Sharma things. The India captain, with back-to-back half-centuries is the leading scorer of the series with 122 runs, whereas his Sri Lankan counterpart Charith Asalanka is leading the wickets chart with six scalps. Rohit has given his team explosive starts in both the games, but it was Asalanka and his timely strikes that have denied India wins. In the first ODI, Asalanka spoiled India's party, when defending 1 off 14 balls, he dismissed Shivam Dube and Arshdeep Singh off consecutive deliveries to force a tie and in the next picked up the wickets of Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Mohammed Siraj.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: One can't deny the fact that there's way too much shuffling going around in the Indian batting line-up, starting with Axar Patel's promotion. He has batted above and below KL Rahul in both matches, and while the move has paid off well – Axar scored 33 and 44 – it seems to have unsettled Rahul a bit you've got to believe. Besides, Shivam Dube batted at 8 in the first game and then 4 in the next. Irrespective of whatever the plan seems to be, expect a lot more of it during the Gautam Gambhir era of head coaching.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Shubman Gill's scores have been disappointing thus far, unbecoming of India's future captain. In fact, in the entire tour of Sri Lanka, Gill has been unable to convert starts. He got 34 and 39 in the T20Is and 16 and 35 in the two ODIs this far. He starts off well but loses steam, more so when Rohit gets out. Whereas how it should have played out is Gill taking the innings deep. Gill hasn't been the same player since his bout of dengue at the 2023 World Cup. But now is the time to go back to early 2023, where he would score runs and pummel centuries for fun. If Rohit gets going, and Gill supports, the Indian batting can look for some assurance.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Surprisingly, for a change, the Indian team management is publicly acknowledging that yes, there is something wrong. Not everything is right, something that the previous staff were probably hesitant. Abhishek Nayar, one of Gautam Gambhir's assistant coaches, accepted that the batting needs to come good and that there will be discussions about it. Why it's more concerning that this is a fully strong Indian team, whose batters are faring worse than their Sri Lankan counterparts.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Being one of India's greatest players of spin himself, that his players are not able to wrap their heads around what the Lankan spinners are throwing at them, must be pinching Gautam Gambhir. If you recall India's tour of Sri Lanka in 2008, where Ajantha Mendis was unleashed and he tore through the Indian batting line-up, only Sachin Tendulkar and Gambhir – and Virender Sehwag – to certain extent were able to read him well. Surely, Gambhir is imparting the same knowledge to this Indian team. Washington Sundar confirmed the same when he admitted that the head coach is giving tips to the players to help understand and tackle the Sri Lankan spinners better.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: To be honest, does it even matter? Like honestly, there was rain on forecast during the first two matches as well, a lot more than the 40 percent rain that has been predicted for today. So, does the forecast even have any reliability factor left? Around about this time last year, it was raining cats and dogs in Sri Lanka, with some matches in the Asia Cup getting washed out. This time around though, the rain appears to be a lot less relenting, ensuring a smooth ODI series, barring the one-off delay here and there.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Virat Kohli… what a game he had on June 29, cementing himself in the annals of Indian cricket by playing a Man-of-the-Match worthy innings in the final of the T20 World Cup and aptly closing his T20 career on a high. However, since his return, Kohli has looked a bit off. Call it ring rust or whatever, in both innings Kohli started off well before falling to spin – Wanindu Hasaranga in the first ODI and to Jeffrey Vandersay in the next. Kohli lacked a bit more assurance in the last game as he looked a bit susceptible against spin. However, all that needs to be put on the back-burner as India have a series to save. Kohli is their greatest batter, and the King needs to stand up and lead from the front to save India a streak that stretches to almost three decades.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: On the verge of a historic gold medal, Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Paris Olympics. Vinesh, set to compete for the gold medal match later tonight, was observed to be a few grams over 50kg, a criteria big enough to strip her off contention. This means that Vinesh will now have to return empty-handed. There will be no silver medal given out in the women's 50kg freestyle event. Only gold – which her opponent Sarah Hilderbrandt of USA is all but assured of – and bronze medal.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Truth be told, Rohit Sharma has been the only batting positive for India in this series. The man, playing his first ODI series since the 2023 World Cup, doesn’t seem to have missed a beat. With back-to-back fifties in the first two ODIs, he is India's biggest batting hope. But there seems to be a twist. Rohit skipped India's training session. We're hearing that it was an optional session but even then, with the rest of the batters having a go and Rohit skipping the same, is there anything to worry about? Rohit seemed to be favouring his right shoulder so not taking part in the nets could be a precautionary measure. There is no official word about his participation yet, so it could be a false alarm. Then again, the true picture will be out only in and around toss time.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Charith Asalanka is primarily a batter, but the Indian team has lately been troubled more by his bowling than batting. With the bat, Asalanka has scored 62 runs in the last five ODIs against India but has stunningly taken 10 wickets in the same number of matches. His off-spin troubled India during the Super 4 match of the Asia Cup last year and is continuing to do so here too. Asalanka's 3/14 in the first ODI – where he dismissed Shivam Dube and Arshdeep Singh off the last two balls of the match – followed up by 3/25 is something India need to avoid if they are to save this series.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: With the completing of today's ODI, Indian cricket will be taking a break of 43 days. The Indian players have been on the road long enough, starting the IPL to the T20 World Cup to a T20I series Zimbabwe and now Sri Lanka. Fans are not used to such a long break, so savour every bit of the 100 overs that are to be bowled today. After today, India's next match is straightaway on September 19, when they take on Bangladesh. India, runner-up in the last two editions of the World Test Championship, will be hoping to be a third time lucky and the road starts to the WTC final starts with a two-Test series against the Tigers.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: SURPRISE, SURPRISE! Today’s ODI marks the end of India’s 50-overs fixtures for the year. Which means that in 2024, India would have played only a total of six ODIs. Pretty strange because the next big ICC event – the Champions Trophy takes place seven months from now – will be contested in the ODI format. India do have a couple of bilateral white-ball series – against Bangladesh and New Zealand in September/October – but they’re T20Is. The only other ODI series India will be playing ahead of CT is against England early next year. From featuring in a 7-match ODI series in 2013 to competing in 6 in 2024, cricket really has come a long way.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: The emotionally-charged Indian fan would say an emphatic yes. But the more rationale, long term belied would say no. It’s always about the long-term planning. India have a Champions Trophy title to win next year, and in all likelihood, this team, barring maybe Hardik Pandya, is expected to form the core of that squad. It’s easy to say replace KL Rahul with Rishabh Pant or drop Washington Sundar for Riyan Parag. But ask yourself. Do you really see them going to play CT. Pant, maybe yes. But Parag? The guy is looked at more of a T20 asset at this moment. So perhaps ODIs can wait.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Unfortunately, this isn't the first time that India have been troubled by spin. This pattern has played out way too many times in Tests and is becoming glaringly alarming in ODIs. Whenever the wickets are batting friendly, the Indian batting thrives. But the moment the surfaces are dry, the batting, especially the middle order has a tough time. Look no beyond the World Cup final. India slowed down considerably after Rohit's wicket fell. The first two ODIs have mirrored it. Even during last year's Asia Cup Super-Four game, India endured something similar, when Dunith Wellalage's 5/40 and Charith Asalanka's 4/18 reduced them to 213 after a blazing start of 80 without loss.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 1st ODI: Well, the first match ended in a tie. Since these are the ODIs and there are no Super-Overs unless it’s an ICC tournament, there was no winner. With the series technically reduced to a 2-match affair, the Sri Lankan spinners. Or spinner as we should say Jeffrey Vandersay did an Ajantha Mendis. India had no clue how to play him and the leg-spinner raced away to a six-wicket-haul. His wickets included that of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. A mighty fine effort one must say. Two batting collapses in two matches with a not-so-steep total to chase in either has pushed India into a must-win situation.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, IND vs SL 3rd ODI: A very good morning to all the wonderful cricket fans out there. We know the Olympics are red-hot at the moment and the nation awaits its first gold medal from Vinesh Phogat, but while the action unfolds in Paris, there is no death of excitement in Colombo either, where your beloved Indian cricket team, the reigning T20 World Champions, are in a bit of a spot and will be fighting to save the series. We know what you’re thinking. India? Losing a bilateral series? Against Sri Lanka? Yeah, we’re perplexed too. But that’s all the more reason to stay hooked to cricket, right?

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