SL VS IND - 3rd ODI, India tour of Sri Lanka, 2021

A beaming Dhawan collects the trophy, poses for the cameras and then gives the trophy to the others as everyone congregate to celebrate. That brings an end to the series. India's second string team proving too good for an inexperienced but talented Sri Lankan side. The T20I series will follow this and it starts on the 25th of this month. Do join us for that. Hope you have enjoyed our coverage so far and do check out the other live action going on, on this platform. Till next time, this is Vineet, Hari, Raju (who stepped in for the second innings) and not to forget the diligent scorer, Mukesh signing off. Remember to stay safe and take care. Bye.

Most wickets by debutants in an ODI (India):
6 vs Eng Leeds 1974
6 vs Aus MCG 1980
6 vs SL Colombo RPS 2021
5 vs Eng Pune 2021

Most consecutive ODI wins at a venue for India:
9 Harare Sports Club (2013 - )
7 Barabati Stadium, Cuttack (2007 - )
7 R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (2012 - 21) - sequence ended today

Most consecutive bilateral ODI series wins against a team:
11 Pak vs Zim (1996 - )
10 Ind vs WI (2007 - )
9 Pak vs WI (1999 - )
9 SA vs Zim (1995 - )
9 Ind vs SL (2007 - )
* all are ongoing sequences

Shikhar Dhawan: It didn't go our way. We tried some new players. We got a good start but again we lost too many wickets in the middle overs. We were 50 runs short in the end. I am glad the players made their debut because everyone was in quarantine for such a long time, and we had this chance because we sealed the series in the last game. I always analyze where I can improve and get better in strategies. Looking forward to the T20 series. Of course we were positive that we could defend the target but we knew that we were short. The boys gave a good fight and it was interesting in the end. We always have to keep learning.

Suryakumar Yadav | Man of the Series: I think I have been doing the same things for the last two years. Just look to keep it simple and the mantra has been working. I would have loved to make it big in the last two games, but I am learning. The atmosphere in the camp is really positive and am looking forward to the T20 series.

Dasun Shanaka: Congrats to India for winning the series. It was a very good series throughout and I am really happy with how we played. The bowlers showed maturity, that's what I expect from the youngsters. I hope they will continue this in the future tours as well. When you play international cricket for long, the guys will improve and play consistently. It is a very big win for the fans. We have been waiting for very long and have won after very long against India at home. I want to thank all my players and the support staff. Actually I enjoy captaining.

Avishka Fernando | Man of the Match: If we had done well in the second match, we would have won the series. After the England tour I worked on my batting and that helped in scoring runs here. We have a very young side and going forward, I believe this young side will do well.

The chase was shepherded by Avishka Fernando who played superbly with the others chipping in. India were atrocious in the field dropping - I have lost count now - many catches, most of them which should've been taken. And also they missed a trick by not getting Rahul Chahar in earlier when the ball was turning. If my memory serves me right, Chahar bowled just two overs in his first spell as Dhawan shuffled around his bowlers. Hardik Pandya was a big let-down with the ball and released the pressure with loose stuff. Gowtham too didn't impress on debut as he looked nervous. But a good run for India's bench strength and they will be pleased with the series win. Do hang around for all the post-match stuff which will follow shortly...

23:32 Local Time, 18:02 GMT, 23:32 IST: Big smiles from Mickey Arthur after all the anger at the end of the last game. Meanwhile, Dhawan has a long chat with Dharmasena about the no-ball call earlier in the over. Checking why it was called. Anyway coming back to this chase, Sri Lanka had it in their hands for a majority of the time, but introduced some late drama with all those wickets to Rahul Chahar. In the end, they saw it home and thus end their winless run against India in ODIs. Also just their 2nd ODI win this year. This has been a tough time for them and this win should lift their spirits.

Rahul Chahar to Ramesh Mendis, 1 run, SL win! Swept through square leg to prevent the whitewash. Ramesh Mendis trusting the sweep to get there against Rahul Chahar

Rahul Chahar to Dananjaya, 1 run, won't count even if Rahul Chahar catches. He doesn't as it lands beyond him. The bat has come off Dananjaya's hand as he swung hard. Both Rahul Chahar and the batsman see the funny side of it

Free-hit coming up

Rahul Chahar to Dananjaya, no ball, FOUR, that is a brave shot. Hang on, Dananjaya knew that there weren't enough fielders in the ring and decided to chance his arm. Tossed up on the stumps, Dananjaya makes room and drives beautifully in the air, well wide of extra-cover. In the gap and it is four. The umpires make the no-ball call even as Dananjaya signals for the free-hit while running

India taking their time to get the field right, Adding to the pressure on Akila Dananjaya. What's the field? Slip, legslip and a man under the lid at FSL

Akila Dananjaya, left handed bat, comes to the crease

Rahul Chahar to Karunaratne, out Stumped!! Brilliant from both Rahul Chahar and Samson. The bowler landing the ball on a length, drawing Karunaratne forward and beating the defence with a sharp turner. Samson was alert to whip the bails off and Karunaratne had dragged his back foot out of the crease. Can Sri Lanka still choke from here? Don't rule it out yet! Karunaratne st Samson b Rahul Chahar 3(10)

Rahul Chahar to Karunaratne, THATS OUT!! Stumped!!

Samson is confident as is Karunaratne. The batsman says he is fine to Ramesh Mendis. Shaw has given that out. Late drama at the Premadasa. Sharp work from Samson. But has Karunaratne dragged his back foot out? Nothing behind the line and Karunaratne is in trouble here. Gone! Unless the third umpire thinks otherwise - we have seen that before tonight, haven't we? Still looking at the replays and the third umpire is satisfied that there's nothing behind the line. OUT

Rahul Chahar to Karunaratne, no run, the googly, a bit too full and smothered

Rahul Chahar to Ramesh Mendis, 1 run, there comes the sweep. His go-to shot. Gets it behind square

Rahul Chahar to Ramesh Mendis, no run, woah! Caught at slip and the Indians are excited. But Dharmasena - who has had a poor game so far - shakes his head. Off the back thigh and a top call from Dharmasena. Ripper of a leggie, opens Ramesh Mendis up completely on the back foot defence. Missed the edge and a good take by Dhawan but all to no avail