IND vs SL, 3rd ODI: India fights back to dismiss SL for 215

A fine show from spin duo Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav helped India to bounce back strongly from a poor and restrict Sri Lanka to 215 in the third and final One-Day International in Visakhapatnam.

After being asked to bat first on a flat wicket, Sri Lanka could not get off to a solid start as Danushka Gunathilaka was sent back by Jasprit Bumrah for just 13. However, Upul Tharanga, who opened his account on the seventh ball, launched a stunning assault from thereon to not only steady the ship but also laid the foundation for a good total.

The attack began from the fifth over when the southpaw hit Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a couple of fours. Jasprit Bumrah received the same treatment in the following over before Hardik Pandya conceded five consecutive boundaries in the ninth over. By the time the tenth over ended, the Islanders raced away to 68 with Tharanga leading the way. The southpaw soon completed his fifty off just 36 balls and continued playing the shots. Tharanga was well supported by Sadeera Samarawickrama who looked more than happy to play the second fiddle.

The duo went on to add 121 runs for the second wicket before Yuzvendra Chahal broke the dangerous stand by dismissing Samarawickrama for 42. And just when it looked, the Islanders were on their way to a huge total, Kuldeep Yadav derailed their innings by dismissing Tharanga (95) and Niroshan Dickwella (8) in quick succession to leave the visitors reeling at 168 for 4. 21 runs later, Sri Lanka suffered yet another huge blow when Chahal dismissed the on-form Angelo Mathews who had scored an unbeaten century in the last game. Chahal was not done yet and dealt another big blow to Sri Lanka by dismissing their skipper Thisara Perera for just 6.

The tail-enders also could not do much as Sri Lanka were all out for 21, losing their last eight wickets for just 55 runs.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the innings:

From a strong position, Sri Lanka have plummeted quite embarrassingly. Too little self belief, too many errors

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 17, 2017

Yuzvendra Chahal looks a Proper leg spinner …. #INDvSL

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 17, 2017

Indians to score 500 runs and take 30 wickets in a calendar year in ODIs:
Kapil Dev 1986
HARDIK PANDYA 2017#INDvSL

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) December 17, 2017

Sri Lanka have gone from 160/2 to 211/9! #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/eBZONn2mFb

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 17, 2017

Thisara Perera values time a lot. Always on time to the crease and never wastes a minute out there, doesn't disturb the scorers much at all. Good human! #INDvSL

— Hari Sadanandan (@iamharry_88) December 17, 2017

Even witchcraft wouldn’t have helped Mathews, with that gem of a delivery by Chahal. #INDvSL

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) December 17, 2017

Whenever Kuldeep Yadav plays he makes an impact. Hopefully India will play him more.#INDvsSL

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 17, 2017

Unbelievable..Its almost 2018 and umpires are still reviewing and checking after Dhoni has appealed for a stumping ?‍♂️ #IndvSL

— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) December 17, 2017

https://twitter.com/SirrrJadeja/status/942332560721330181

Any Indian spinner's wife : Say those 3 magical words…

Spinner : MSD behind stumps ?#INDvSL

— Manya (@CSKian716) December 17, 2017

https://twitter.com/10himanshu08/status/942333012590522368?

https://twitter.com/10himanshu08/status/942313992709726208?

Hardik Pandya 's so called fast bowling = Combination of Ashok Dinda and Stuart Binny. #IndvsSL

— Cricket Sarcasms (@CricketSarcasms) December 17, 2017

Looking at Hardik Pandya, one can make out the lad has taken his place for granted. Hope he gets proper advice and stay focused.

— Ritesh Kumar (@ritzsinha) December 17, 2017

Whoever thinks Hardik Pandya is an allrounder needs to check their brain.. this guy is below average batsman/bowler.. good for nothing.. #INDvSL

— karthik (@karthikstwts) December 17, 2017

T in Hardik Pandya stands for Talent

— Arun Lol (@dhaikilokatweet) April 2, 2017

I like this !!! @OfficialSLC are here to play… #INDvsSL Good stuff boys

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) December 17, 2017