India took on Sri Lanka at Palekelle for the 3rd One Day International after taking a 2-0 lead in the series. India has now taken a 3-0 unassailable lead. Now there is no coming back for the hosts, now they will play for pride. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. The hosts were soon reduced to 28 for 2 as Jasprit Bumrah struck twice. It was Thirimanne, who then joined Dinesh Chandimal to steady the ship. Chandimal then departed just when he looked settled and was looking to shift gears. He was out for 36.
A lot was expected of Angelo Matthews who too disappointed as he was out for 11 runs. Thirimanne was the highest scorer for the hosts as he got 80. Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers as he picked up a career best 5 wickets. Sri Lanka set India 218 to win, which looked way below par.
India started pursuit and they too lost the in-form Shikhar Dhawan early for 5. But it was Rohit Sharma who came to the party after Virat Kohli was dismissed as well for 3 runs. Kedar Jadhav was out for a second ball duck. Rahul too did promise but did not get going as he departed for 17 runs.
#MSDhoni sleeping on a ground… He is so cool , nt bother abt surrounding environment…. @msdhoni #INDvSL #SLvIND #Dhoni pic.twitter.com/Q3ZXC9cG2E
— Rohan Zemse (@rohanzemse) August 27, 2017
3-0! #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/DbeEm3AxFw
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 27, 2017
A 12th ODI century for @ImRo45! _ #SLvIND live: https://t.co/MJX6el59rm pic.twitter.com/sXnag2m8MW
— ICC (@ICC) August 27, 2017
It was then left to Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni who carried the burden on their shoulders. Rohit Sharma came back into form with a lavishing 100. Mahendra Singh Dhoni too scored a fifty to go with the match winning 38 unbeaten in the last game.
10 overs gone and the 3rd ODI at Pallekele is finely poised. India are 35/2, needing 183 runs to win. #SLvIND
Live: https://t.co/MJX6el59rm pic.twitter.com/Timomo9HzU
— ICC (@ICC) August 27, 2017
There was also chaos on the ground as frustrated fans started throwing water bottles on the ground. That also stopped the game for a while.
Well bowled, @Jaspritbumrah93! That’s his maiden 5-wicket haul in ODI cricket. #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/PuxGxPqC4V
— ICC (@ICC) August 27, 2017
Dananjaya picked up 2 wickets and showed promise to get more but could not break through the defence of MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. Malinga and Fernando picked up a wicket a piece.
3-0! Rohit Sharma’s 124* and 67* from MS Dhoni take India to a 6-wicket victory at Pallekele and an unassailable lead in the series. #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/rVtH8mlZTN
— ICC (@ICC) August 27, 2017
India takes a 3-0 unassailable lead. Sharma remained 124 not out and MS Dhoni remained unbeaten on 68.
