India vs Sri Lanka, 4th ODI, Colombo, highlights: Virat Kohli-led IND demolish SL, go 4-0 up
The Indian cricket team, in a brute batting display, notched a huge total of 375/5 in 50 overs against Sri Lanka in the fourth ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Thursday. Virat Kohli (131) scored his 29th century while Rohit Sharma (104) got his 13th. MS Dhoni (49*), who played hi 300th ODI, and Manish Pandey (50*) played a crucial role towards the end as India notched the highest total by any team in Sri lanka against Sri Lanka. Kohli-led India won the Test series 3-0 and have are 3-0 ahead in the ODIs. Catch live cricket score of India vs Sri Lanka, 4th ODI, Colombo here.
22:10 hrs IST: It was a good game for us. We spoke about not getting complacement and today was a satisfying day. We wanted to bat first, the wicket was amazing to bat on. It was a good toss to win and it was very difficult for the opposition to maintain that required run rate. The batting order can be flexible – Virat Kohli
22:08 hrs IST: Virat Kohli is the Man of the Match for his 131-run innings.
22:05 hrs IST: We are still to get 250 in the series, I think the youngsters are too excited and couldn’t perform well to their potential. Hopefully they will comeback strong and perform well in the coming games – Lasith Malinga
21:54 hrs IST: This is Sri Lanka’s biggest defeat – in terms of runs at home in ODIs.
21:49 hrs IST: India win by 168 runs after KL Rahul bowls Lasith Malinga
21:47 hrs IST: OUT! Vishwa Fernando c and b Kuldeep Yadav 5(4). Sri Lanka are nine down
21:42 hrs IST: OUT! Pushpakumara (3) departs. Sri Lanka 196/8 41.2 overs
Bumrah’s extra bounce surprises Pushpakumara, who is caught at third man by Pandya
21:41 hrs IST: The required run-rate is over 18 now. This is a no-contest now. It has been a story of absolute domination by the Indians.
21:36 hrs IST: Bumrah in attack and he appeals for LBW against Pushpakumara. It is turned. Ball-tracker showed it was missing the stumps. Sri Lanka 192/7 in 40 overs
21:32 hrs IST: Kuldeep replaces Pandya. It’s a maiden over. Sri Lanka 191/7 in 39 overs
21:28 hrs IST: Mathews (70) out! Sri Lanka 190/7 (37.2 Ovs)
Axar gets his first wicket. Mathews goes for a sweep against the spinner and edges to Shardul Thakur.
22:10 hrs IST: It was a good game for us. We spoke about not getting complacement and today was a satisfying day. We wanted to bat first, the wicket was amazing to bat on. It was a good toss to win and it was very difficult for the opposition to maintain that required run rate. The batting order can be flexible – Virat Kohli
22:08 hrs IST: Virat Kohli is the Man of the Match for his 131-run innings.
22:05 hrs IST: We are still to get 250 in the series, I think the youngsters are too excited and couldn’t perform well to their potential. Hopefully they will comeback strong and perform well in the coming games – Lasith Malinga
21:32 hrs IST: Kuldeep replaces Pandya. It’s a maiden over. Sri Lanka 191/7 in 39 overs
21:28 hrs IST: Mathews (70) out! Sri Lanka 190/7 (37.2 Ovs)
Axar gets his first wicket. Mathews goes for a sweep against the spinner and edges to Shardul Thakur.
21:22 hrs IST: Pandya comes into the attack and bowls a wide. He has been costly. Meanwhile, Mathews has moved to 65. Sri Lanka 186/6 in 37 overs
21:18 hrs IST: Stats: India have affected most run outs in ODIs in 2017 – 17.
21:15 hrs IST: Hardik Pandya is back in the attack. Mathews and Dananjaya are at the crease. Sri Lanka 185/6 in 35 overs
21:14 hrs IST: Hasaranga (22) out. Sri Lanka 177/6 (34 overs)
He is run out. Mathews wanted a single but Hasaranga fell well short of the crease.
21:11 hrs IST: Hasaranga on fire! He gets one six and two fours off Axar.
21:08 hrs IST: It’s drinks time. Sri Lanka need 214 runs in 17 overs. Required run-rate is 12.59
21:00 hrs IST: Thakur is continuing the attack. He has been economical. He has got an economy of 3.71. Sri Lanka 162/5 (33 Ovs)
20:59 hrs IST: Fifty! Mathews reaches his 34th in the 31st over. Sri Lanka 154/5 in 31 overs
20:55 hrs IST: Shardul Thakur is back in the attack now.
20:53 hrs IST: Mathews is now just one run short of a half-century. He has been the lone ranger for Sri Lankan batsmen so far. The required run-rate is past 11 per over now. Sri Lanka 147/5 (30 Ovs)
20:50 hrs IST: Pandya has been costly today but is the only Indian bowler to get two wickets so far. He got both the wickets with the batsmen wanting to go for big shots against him. Wanidu Hasaranga is the new batsman at the crease. Sri Lanka 144/5 in 29 overs
20:45 hrs IST: Siriwardana (39) out! Sri Lanka 141/5 (28.2 Ovs)
Pandya gets his second. The short ball does the trick for him as Siriwardana is caught by keeper Dhoni.
20:44 hrs IST: Axar Patel also gets hit for a four by Mathews.
20:40 hrs IST: FOURS! Pandya faces some tough questions from Siriwardana and Mathews. The latter pulls a short delivery from Pandya to four and then Siriwardana joins the party with another boundary off a short ball. Sri Lanka 129/4 in 27 overs
20:34 hrs IST: FOUR! Siriwardana gets one off Axar. It was a poor delivery in the wrong line. Siriwardana pulls it towards backward square leg. Sri Lanka 119/4 in 26 overs
20:34 hrs IST: FOUR! Siriwardana gets one off Axar. It was a poor delivery in the wrong line. Siriwardana pulls it towards backward square leg. Sri Lanka 119/4 in 26 overs
20:31 hrs IST: The required run-rate is climbing towards 11 per over. Have the Sri Lanka batsmen given up so quickly? It seems so. A win from here for Sri Lanka looks highly unlikely. Sri Lanka 113/4 in 25 overs
20:28 hrs IST: Finally a boundary! Mathews hits Axar towards long-on. Six runs come off the over. Sri Lanka 110/4 in 24 overs
20:25 hrs IST: Sri Lanka are only relying on singles, which won’t do the job for them. The required run-rate is over 10 now. What could possibly be going through the batsmen’s minds? Sri Lanka 104/4 in 23 overs
20:22 hrs IST: That was close! Axar beats Siriwardana with the turn. But there was not edge. No trouble for Sri Lanka. Just three runs come off the over. Sri Lanka 103/4 in 22 overs
20:20 hrs IST: SIX! Siriwardana picks Kuldeep well and hits him for a huge six at long on. With it Sri Lanka’s 100 runs come up. Sri Lanka 100/4 in 21 overs (Mathews 30*, Siriwardana 18*)
20:17 hrs IST: Axar Patel is the new bowler for India. Will it be spin from both ends now? He gives away just four runs. Sri Lanka 91/4 in 20 overs
20:14 hrs IST: Kuldeep bowls another good over. He gives away just one run. In his three overs, he gave away just 11 runs. Sri Lanka 87/4 in 19 overs
20:08 hrs IST: COUPLE OF FOURS! After an economical start Pandya is facing the heat. First Siriwardana picks Pandya’s short ball on the off-side and then Mathews pulls him for another four. SL 86/4 in 18 overs
20:05 hrs IST: FOUR! Mathews breaks the shackles with a cover-drive off a full toss from Kuldeep. The spinner would not be happy. Sri Lanka 74/4 in 17 overs (Mathews 22*, Siriwardana 1*)
20:04 hrs IST: Milinda Siriwardana the new batsman. Kuldeep Yadav continues the attack.
20:02 hrs IST: Thirimanne (18) out. Sri Lanka 68/4 in 16 overs
Pandya gets his first as Sri Lanka are four down. It was not a good delivery but Thirimanne could not time it well and gets caught by Dhawan at mid -off. First wicket for Pandya, nonetheless.
19:57 hrs IST: The left-arm Chinaman gives away just three runs. He is one of India’s options for future. Sri Lanka 61/3 in 15 overs
19:55 hrs IST: Kuldeep Yadav has been introduced. First spinner for India so far.
19:51 hrs IST: Time for drinks! Sri Lanka still need 319 runs off the remaining 36 overs. Required run-rate is 8.86. Hell of a task there!
19:49 hrs IST:FOUR! Finally! Mathews hits Kohli for successive boundaries. First he directs the ball backward of square and in the next delivery gets a leading edge as the ball goes past short fine leg. Good over for the hosts. SL 57/3 in 14 overs
19:47 hrs IST: Pandya continues from the other end. Just one run off the over. Mathews and Thirimanne seem to be all at sea. They are not being able to connect. Sri Lanka 49/3 in 13 overs
19:42 hrs IST: Surprise, Surprise! Kohli is bowling now. The India captain does decently, giving away just four runs. He used to bowl regularly for Delhi but for India he has seldom taken up the ball. He has four ODI wickets too. Sri Lanka 48/3 in 12 overs
19:42 hrs IST: After 11 overs India were 78/1 and the onslaught had just started. Sri Lanka have a long way to go.
19:41 hrs IST: Pandya mixes shorts balls and length deliveries well in his first over. He gives away just four runs. SL 44/3 in 11 overs
19:37 hrs IST: First bowling change for India. Hardik Pandya come into the attack.
19:34 hrs IST: Bumrah is bowling a good over. His short balls and length balls are keeping Thirimanne and Mathews in check. Only one run off the 10th over. SL 40/3 in 10 overs
19:30 hrs IST: Angelo Mathews is the new batsmen. Sri Lanka are in massive trouble now. The two senior players will have perform out of their skin of Sri Lanka are dreaming of a miracle win.
19:26 hrs IST: Munaweera 11 gone! SL 37/3 in 8 overs
Again it’s more a Dhoni’s wicket than Bumrah’s. Munaweera edges a Bumrah delivery. that was going down leg. The umpire gives not out but Dhoni asks Kohli for a review. And he obliges yet again. Replays show that the ball indeed touched the gloves. Is there any batter reviewer in the world currently?
19:22 hrs IST: Bumrah’s bouncer has hit Munaweera’s right hand. He looks to be in pain. He is receiving medical attention. he is back in his feet. Bumrah has recovered well after the second-ball boundary.
19:20 hrs IST: FOUR! Bumrah is hit again! Munaweera picks up the length pretty early and goes for a clean hit over long-on. the outfield is pretty fast at Premdasa Stadium.
19:18 hrs IST: A wide from Shardul. He needs to be more disciplined, though the debutant has shown no nerves today so far. Sri Lanka 33/2 in 7 overs
19:17 hrs IST: FOUR! Thirimanne drives Shardul towards the off for a boundary. That was a beutiful shot. The Sri Lanka fans would love it. They didn’t have much today to cheer about.
19:14 hrs IST: Lahiru Thirimanne is at the crease. he scored a half-century in the third ODI. Sri Lanka needs him to perform today.
19:11 hrs IST: Kusal medis (1) run out. Sri Lanka 26/2 in 5.2 overs
Sri Lanka lose their second wicket. This could have been avoided. Munaweera defended a Bumrah delivery but by that time Mendis was halfway down the track. He could not have possible gone back within time. KL Rahul’s throw was a direct-hit.
19:09 hrs IST: After the initial mayhem, things have settled down a bit for India. The wickets of Dickwella is crucial.
19:03 hrs IST: Kusal Mendis is the new batsman. Bumrah continues from the other end and recovers well after a horrible over. He gives away just one run. Sri Lanka 23/1 in 4 overs
18:59 hrs IST:Dickwella (14) out! SL 22/1.
Shardul gets his maiden ODI wickets and he has to thank Dhoni for it. Dickwella edged to Dhoni off a short ball, but the umpire signalled a wide. A confident Dhoni urged for a review and Kohli obliged. And Dhoni turned out to be right again. You just can’t ignore this man.
18: 56 hrs IST: FOUR! Thakur gets hit for a boundary. His offish short ball is placed behind square leg.
18:14 hrs IST: Dhoni has now remained unbeaten 73 times in ODIs – most not outs in ODI cricket history. Shaun Pollock and Chaminda Vaas had remained not outs on 72 occasions.
18:10 hrs IST: Pandey rea ches his second ODI half-century with a single as India reach 375/5 in 50 overs!
18:08 hrs IST: Dhoni takes a single as his stand with Pandey reached 100.
18:05 hrs IST: Malinga comes to bowl the last over and is hit for a four off the first ball by Dhoni, who moves to 47
18:04 hrs IST: India 365/5 in 49 overs (Dhoni 43*, Pandey 46*)
18:00 hrs IST: FOUR! Dhoni moves to his 40s with a boundary of Fernando. The odd-looking shot races to cover boundary. India have crossed 360, this is the highest score by any team against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka
17:59 hrs IST: SIX! Another clean-hit from Dhoni. he has taken a special liking for Malinga today. This time the ex-India captain hits the Sri Lanka skipper over mid-wicket. India 357/5 in 48 overs (Dhoni 36*, Pandey 45*)
17:56 hrs IST: Malinga will bowl his final two overs. And he would not be happy with the way his fielders are performing. This time Munaweera drops Dhoni, whose mis-timed shot sent the ball high at backward point. But Munaweera drops an easy chance.
17:55 hrs IST: With three more runs remaining, India may very well eye 370-plus total. India 343/5 in 47 overs (Pandey 42*, Dhoni 25*)
17:53 hrs IST: Pandey nears 40 with a four off Fernando. Pandey comes forward and directs Fernando towards extra-cover.
17:50 hrs IST: Vintage! Dhoni goes after Malinga in the extra cover region. India have crossed 330 now. India 332/5 in 46 overs (Dhoni 23*, Pandey 33*)
17:47 hrs IST: Dhoni-Pandey stand has reached 50 off just 47 balls. Yet again, Dhoni is underlining the importance of his experience in this Indian line-up. Not for nothing Kohli keeps praising him.
17:45 hrs IST: SMART! Pandey directs Fernando’s delivery between keeper are second slip. Good four runs for India. This partnership has worked fine for India after the mini collapse, which saw India losing four wickets in close interval. India 323/5 in 45 overs
17:41 hrs IST: WHACKED HIM! A vintage Dhoni. He hits Malinga straight down the ground for a four. India 314/5 in 44 overs (Dhoni 16*, Pandey 23*)
17:38 hrs IST: Malinga is into his seventh over. He has used his spells well. Two senior-most players of both teams – Dhoni and Malinga – are now face to face. Two wides so far by Malinga.
17:37 hrs IST: Going by the current run-rate (7.09 per over), India will reach 354 in 50 overs. They should at least target 360 to 370.
17:35 hrs IST: Dhoni brings up India’s 300 runs in his 300th ODI with a boundary. He has been good this series. India 305/5 in 43 overs (Dhoni 11*, Pandey 21*)
17:34 hrs IST: FOUR AGAIN! Pandey ups the ante as he goes after Siriwardana and pulls him
17:32 hrs IST: FOUR! Pandey breaks the deadlock. This is the first boundary in seven overs. He hits Pushpakumara towards mid-wicket. India 294/5 in 42 overs
17:30 hrs IST: India have not hit a single boundary in the last five overs. The run-rate though is still over 7 per over, thanks to Rohit and Kohli’s brilliant innings. However, they need to take advantage of the slog over now. India 285/5 in 41 overs
17:26 hrs IST: Last 33 balls India have scored only 20 runs and lost three wickets. Dhoni and Pandey are at the crease currently. India 284/5 in 40 overs (Dhoni 3*, Pandey 8*)
17:19 hrs IST: Dhoni comes in to bat for his 300th ODI. India will look forward to his experience to reach a big total. The way India started, they looked good enough for a 400-plus total. But now 350 looks tough. India 279/5 in 39 overs
17:16 hrs IST: OUT! Rahul (7) departs, India 274/5 in 37.4 overs
Now Dananjaya strikes as India suffer a mini-collapse. Rahul is out for yet another poor score. Rahul is done in by the turn as his flick is caught by Hasaranga at mid-wicket.
17:14 hrs IST: Mathews is continuing from the other end. His last over have eased the pressure for the moment for Sri Lanka. The senior Sri Lankan players need to take most of the burden. India, however, are still well on target for a 350-plus score. India 271/4 in 37 overs
17:11 hrs IST: They have traded with caution in the their first over against Dananjaya. India 265/2 in 36 overs (Pandey 1*, Rahul 2*)
17:09 hrs IST: Two new batsmen at the crease now – Manish Pandey and KL Rahul. Onus on them to maintain India’s run-rate, which is close to 7.5 per over.
17:05 hrs IST: OUT! Rohit (104) depart. India 262/4 in 34.4 overs
Mathews is now on a hat-trick. Rohit follows Pandya and he is also done in by short ball. Rohit gets an edge and is caught by the wicketkeeper. The run-rate might slow down now.
17:02 hrs IST: OUT! Pandya 19 departs. India 262/3 in 34.3 overs
Mathews strikes with a slow short ball. Pandya strikes it but is not hard enough as Wanidu Hasaranga catches him at mid-on.
17:00 hrs IST: FOUR AGAIN! Malinga’s short ball was pulled towards leg. It was not a clean hit but four runs none the less. India 262/2 in 34 overs (Rohit 104*, Pandya 19*)
16:58 hrs IST: CENTURY! 13th for Rohit and second one in this series. He reaches the land-mark in style as he punishes Malinga full-toss to the mid-on boundary.
16:55 hrs IST: Malinga continues to attack for Sri Lanka. Even he has gone for more than six an over.
16:50 hrs IST: It’s time for drinks. Sri Lanka need it, so as us. India have demolished the Sri Lankan bowling completely. With 17 overs left, India might very well target 400. They need jus 148 runs more.
16:48 hrs IST: SIX! Pandya doesn’t take much time to settle in. He goes after Dananjaya with a clean six over midwicket. No respite for Sri Lanka even after Kohli’s departure. India 252/2 in 33 overs (Rohit 95*, Pandya 18*)
16:46 hrs IST: Malinga continues from the other end. His toe crusher can spell trouble for the new batsman. Only four runs come of the over. India 240/2 in 32 overs (Rohit 93*, Pandya 8*)
16: 42 hrs IST: A big reprieve. Pandya was given out LBW off Dananjaya. It was a bat-pad decision. But Ultraedge shows that ball was nowhere close to the pads. The LBW tracker show the ball missing the stumps. The original decision has been overturned. India 236/2 in 31 overs.
16:40 hrs IST: Pandya starts his work in right earnest. He hits Dananjaya for a clean boundary. He comes straight down the ground and hits the spinner in style.
READ | Virat Kohli races to 29th century in 4th ODI vs Sri Lanka
16:37 hrs IST: Hardik Pandya is the new batsman. He has the ability to strike big. Though, his entry at No. 4 is a bit surprising with MS Dhoni and Manish Pandey in the line-up. May be Indian think-tank doesn’t want the run-rate to lower.
16:35 hrs IST: Rohit takes up the mantle well after his captain’s departure. He gets a full toss from Malinga and he directs it over deep mid-wicket. India 230/1 in 30 overs (Rohit 90, Pandya 1*)
16:30 hrs IST: OUT! Kohli gone. India 225/2 in 29.3 overs
Malinga does the job. This is his 300th ODI wicket. Kohli hhits hits him well but finds a fielder at long-off.
16:29 hrs IST: Kohli changes his bat. Will the demolition drive increase now?
16:28 hrs IST: Malinga comes back into attack. the captain needs to guide his players well at this juncture. The run-rate has climbed to close to 8 per over.
16:25 hrs IST: FOUR! Rohits lofts Dananjaya to long-off. The lazy elegance again comes to play. He has been a pleasure to watch. India 225/1 in 29 overs (Kohli 131*, Rohit 86*)
16:20 hrs IST: A full toss and Kohli bangs it for four! You should not give it to Kohli today. Fernando gets to know it the hard way. Now he resorts to short balls. With this kind of track, his captain Malinga should tell him to do otherwise. Where is Malinga? India 216/1 in 28 overs (Kohli 126*, Rohit 82*)
16:12 hrs IST: This is only the 26th over and India have already scored 200 runs. With 24 overs left, records are bound to tumble today. If Kohli and Rohit continue in the same strain, we might very well be staring at some world records. India 201/1 in 26 overs (Kohli 114*, Rohit 79*)
16:06 hrs IST: 100 for Kohli! 29th overall and seventh against Sri Lanka. he reached the mark in just 76 balls. He whips Siriwardana on the on-side to reach the landmark. He can very well aim for a double hundred today. Too early to say. but nothing looks impossible today. India 187/1 in 25 overs
16:00 hrs IST: Kohli has moved to his 90s and Rohit in his 60s. Kohli is targetting his 29th century and seventh against Sri Lanka. India 158/1 in 22 overs
15:59 hrs IST:The 150-run stand between Rohit and Kohli comes up in 21.1 overs
15:58 hrs IST: The boundary is back! Kohli finds the gap well on the on-side of Siriwardana. India 155/1 in 21 overs
15:54 hrs IST: Only four runs off the 20th over, Sri Lanka needs such sedate overs. India 148/1 in 20 overs
15:50 hrs IST: And Rohit doesn’t stop there as he goes after Dananjaya again. He cuts the bowler through point. Rohit’s consistency has been his hall-mark so far. India 144/1 in 19 overs
15:48 hrs IST: FIFTY! Rohit Sharma gets his 33rd. This is Rohit’s third half-century in this series. The opener has been in terrible form.
15:46 hrs IST: Time for drinks! Sri Lanka need it after getting thrashed on all areas of the park. India are currently cruising at a run-rate of 7.56 per over. Kohli is in his 70s while Rohit is in his 40s
15:47 hrs IST: India 136/1 in 18 overs (Kohli 79*, Rohit 49*)
15:42 hrs IST: FOUR! Rohit is now three runs away from his 33rd half-century. It was a flighted ball from Akila Dananjaya and Rohit whacks it through extra-cover. Can India score 400* today? India 132/1 in 17 overs (Kohli 77*, Rohit 47*)
15:38 hrs IST: And Sri Lanka has Rohit to contend with too at the other end! He moves to h is 40s as he drives Pushpakumara through covers. India 126/1 in 16 overs (Kohli 76*, Rohit 42*)
15: 38 hrs IST: CLUELESS! That’s Sri Lanka’s status as of now! Kohli comes down the track again, this time against Pushpakumara and lofts the ball over long-on.
15:34 hrs IST:FOURS! That is sheer punishment! Hasaranga gives Kohli room and he whips him through extra-cover. The second is an even poorer delivery and Kohli pulls it over mid-wicket. India 113/1 in 15 overs (Kohli 68*, Rohit 37*)
15:30 hrs IST:FOUR and a SIX! Rohit is following his captain’s footsteps, First he comes down the track and hoits the ball to long-on and on the next ball sends the ball over deep mid-wicket. India 102/1 in 14 overs
15:27 hrs IST: FOUR!Kohli again. And with this he reaches 2000 ODI runs against Sri Lanka. India 91/1 in 13 overs
15:25 hrs IST: BOWLING CHANGE: Wanidu Hasaranga, right-arm leg break bowler, comes into the attack
15:23 hrs IST: After all the fire, a sedate over but still five runs come off it. India 83/1 in 12 overs
15:19 hrs IST: Kohli gets his 45th half-century off just 38 balls. He has been an absolute demolition man today. He reached the figures with help of nine fours. India 78/1 in 11 overs (Kohli 50*, Rohit 20*)
15:17 hrs IST: Kohli hits Malinga for a four again. There was a top edge and the ball went to fine-leg boundary. Can he reach his 45th half-century in this over itself?
15:16 hrs IST: With the Sri Lanka bowling in disarray SL fielders should be more proactive. Malinga comes in to bowl the 11th over.
15:11 hrs IST: There seems to be no stopping Kohli today. He reaches his 40s as he hits spinner Pushpakumara to successive boundaries. The first one deflects off the stump with a to the long-on boundary and the next delivery slips past the cover fielder. India 67/1 in 10 overs (Kohli 44*, Rohit 17*)
15:09 hrs IST: SIX! Now Rohit is upping the ante. After the Kohli show, he dispatches Mathews for the maximum. It was a shortish delivery and Rohit judges it well to whack it. He is confident with his shot goes over the boundary. India 55/1 in 9 overs (Kohli 33*, Rohit 16*)
15:05 hrs IST: Oh that was close! Kohli wanted to take a single but Rohit says no. Kohli makes a great dive and has a close shave. After a long time no boundaries, in the over. India 48/1 in 8 overs
15:00 hrs IST: Rohit joins the party as he hits Mathews over extra-cover. Sri Lanka are feeling the heat now. India run-rate is closing on seven per over. India 45/1 in 7 overs
14:56 hrs IST: WHACK! Kohli first punishes Fernando’s full toss and then gets another four with a glorious off-drive. He has reached 30 in just 21 balls. India 39/1 in 6 overs
14:53 hrs IST: FOUR! Kohli again! This time he steps out of the pitch and hits the ball through mid-wicket. India 29/1 in 5 overs
14:51 hrs IST: First bowling change for Sri Lanka as Angelo Mathews comes in to the attack. The pitch looks good as the ball is coming on to the bat. With the intent that Kohli is showing, Sri Lanka bowlers need to be extra cautious.
14:47 hrs IST: TWO MORE! Kohli gets after Fernando again. He connects well with the ball to hit successive boundaries. First with an off-drive and then through mid-wicket. This is sheer dominance. India 24/1 in 4 overs
14:46 hrs IST:KOHLI STRIKES! Kohli stamps his class on Fernando as he gets his first boundary with a cover drive. He needs to take this good start to a big score.
14:41 hrs IST: Virat Kohli comes in to bat. Sri Lanka has had a tremendous start as Malinga continues from the other end. After his 82* in the first ODI Kohli has not got past single digit scores in the second and third ODIs. The India captain would hope to change that record. India 11/1 in 3 overs
14: 34 hrs IST: OUT! Dhawan departs India 6/1 in 1.3 overs
Vishwa Fernando dismisses him off third delivery. Was it a case of wild aggression? Dhawan heaves the ball which takes thick top edge and is caught by Pushpakumara at third man. Rohit Sharma still stands solid.
14:32 hrs IST: An elegant cover dive from Dhawan off Malinga and the ball races to boundary. Dhawan seems to have rediscovered himself in this Sri Lanka tour. He has been aggressive. Both the openers are off the mark. India 6/0 in 1 over
14: 29 hrs IST: Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawar are out in the middle. Captain Lasith Malinga will bowl the first over.
14:29 hrs IST: Meanwhile, MS Dhoni was presented with a platinum bat by Virat Kohli ahead of the match to commemorate his 300th ODI.
14:24 hrs IST: World cricket has seen two huge upsets in the last two days: Bangladesh defeating Australia at home while West Indies defeating England in an away Test. Can Sri Lanka take inspiration from the wins to make the contest more interesting?
14:20 hrs IST:SL XI: Dickwella, Munaweera, Mendis, Thirimanne, Mathews, Siriwardana, Hasaranga, Dananjaya, Pushpakumara, Fernando, Malinga
14:17 hrs IST: IND XI: RG Sharma, S Dhawan, V Kohli, L Rahul, M Pandey, MS Dhoni, H Pandya, A Patel, K Yadav, J Bumrah, S Thakur
14:15 hrs IST: A very good decision by the Indian team management. With the series in pocket, this is the perfect time to give the youngsters a taste of the big stage. The intent is clear now – aim for the ICC 2019 World Cup.
14:04 hrs IST: SELECTION NEWS: As many as three changes in Indian playing XI – Pacer Shardul Thakur comes in for Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Spinner Kuldeep Yadav comes in for Yuzvendra Chahal, and middle-order batsman Manish Pandey comes in for Kedar Jadhav.
14:00 hrs IST: Virat Kohli has won the toss and has chosen to bat first in the 4th ODI, which is also MS Dhoni’s 300th. What an occasion for India’s most successful captain ever!
13:55 hrs IST: While India have ticked all boxes right, they too are facing some concerns, especially with Virat Kohli saying that this series begins India’s preparation for 2019 ICC World Cup.
13:50 hrs IST: We are 10 minutes away from the toss. While India are looking ahead to maintain their unbeaten run, Sri Lanka would be hoping to win the last Two ODIs and ensure themselves an automatic entry into the ICC 2019 World Cup. Remember: The top 8 teams will have automatic qualification for World Cup.
13:39 hrs IST: MS Dhoni will become only the sixth Indian cricketer to play 300 ODIs. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Azharuddin are the other Indian stars to have reached this milestone.
13:30 hrs IST: MS Dhoni, playing in his 300th ODI, is on the threshold of two world records. If he effects one more stumping, he will reach 100 stumpings. If he remains not out, then he will have the most not outs in ODI cricket.
13:21 hrs IST: A loss today for Sri Lanka makes their direct qualification for the World Cup interesting. If they lose and they win the final ODI, their points remain the same. If they lose the last two, they will slip to 86 points, giving West Indies a lifeline.
13:13 hrs IST: A warm welcome to the fourth ODI between India vs Sri Lanka in Colombo. The talk is all about MS Dhoni as he enters a special club – notably the 300 club. The Indian wicketkeeper and former captain will play his 300th ODI today.
