India vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup Super 4 Highlights: Four-star Kuldeep snaps SL's winning streak as IND enter final

Dhananjaya de Silva remains committed to his attacking style, and truthfully, it appears to be Sri Lanka's only path to have a fighting chance. Adopting a defensive approach won't yield any benefits for them. The five wides conceded by Axar Patel certainly didn't aid India's cause, and Dhananjaya's aggressive batting compounded their woes, resulting in a costly 9-run over. Sri Lanka's required runs are now fewer than 90.

WICKET! Rohit takes a sharp catch at slips to give Ravindra Jadeja his 1st wicket of the evening. Sri Lanka go 6 down. After bowling his first five overs from the other end, Jadeja took a breather before Rohit brought him back for his second spell. Immediately strikes and gets the big fish Dasun Shanaka, who has previously haunted India in ODIs, most recently this January itself. And full credits to Rohit, who plucks a sharp one-handed catch in the slips.

Axar Patel has had a somewhat lackluster beginning with the ball. He appears to be struggling to decipher the right approach on this pitch. In contrast, Dhananjaya de Silva seems to have a good grasp of how to bat effectively on this surface. He expertly executes a deft cut shot and follows it up with a powerful strike towards deep midwicket, resulting in a productive 9-run over for Sri Lanka. Score: 95/5 after 25 overs

Kuldeep offers a gift to Dasun Shanaka - loopy half-volley - and the Sri Lanka captain obliges. Mind you, this game is far from over. Yes, Sri Lanka may be five wickets down but they aren't chasing a big target. In Dhananjaya de Silva and Shanaka, they need a partnership and if SL get one, you never know. A 14th straight win is a strong possibility.

WICKET! Kuldeep strikes for the second time in just 2 overs, and the dangerous Asalanka is on his way back to the pavilion. Asalanka's affinity for the sweep shot becomes his undoing on this occasion. He inside-edges the ball onto his pad, and Rahul completes the dismissal with a diving catch. The Kuldeep-Rahul partnership is proving to be a formidable combination for India, as they successfully remove two well-set batsmen.

Sri Lanka now 73/5 in 20 overs.

You can't contain him! Kuldeep Yadav dismisses Sadeera Samarawickrama for 17 with a stumping. He lures Samarawickrama with a well-flighted delivery, enticing him to go for the shot outside off stump. The only hitch is the sharp turn, which leaves Samarawickrama swinging the bat in vain. Rahul efficiently gathers the ball and does his part to dislodge the stumps. Kuldeep's performance is nothing short of exquisite. Interestingly, there was a lengthy discussion between Kuldeep and Rahul during the interval between overs, and it appears the strategy they concocted has paid off. The expressions on their faces tell the story – priceless.

Sri Lanka 68/4 in 17.3 overs

Ravindra Jadeja finally created the opportunity but Ishan Kishan spoils his plans. Asalanka mistimes a sweep for the ball to gallop in the air. Ishan Kishan coming in from deep square leg gets underneath the ball but puts it down. The disappointment visible of Jadeja’s face as he tells Kishan to ‘coming running in’. Nonetheless, an opportunity goes begging for India. Could this be a big turning point?

KL Rahul is juggling the roles of both an umpire and the team captain. He has displayed remarkable accuracy with his decisions behind the stumps, making it regrettable that Rohit didn't heed his advice. Rahul once more keeps his cool and refrains from supporting an audacious appeal, a decision well-made. He also advises Jadeja to "dheere daal" (bowl it slowly) as Jadeja persists in firing those deliveries. It's worth noting that Wellalage troubled India with slower deliveries through the air, a tactic that Jadeja could potentially adopt as well.

Sri Lanka 62/3 and recovering well through Asalanka and Samarawickrama

In contrast to India's batsmen, the Sri Lankan players aren't content with merely defending or blocking the spin from either Jadeja or Kuldeep. They're displaying audacity, employing both orthodox and reverse sweeps. Essentially, they're actively seeking to accumulate runs, which, to be frank, isn't a poor strategy. However, considering the substantial turn that Kuldeep and Jadeja are extracting, the sustainability of this approach is bound to be intriguing. There's a palpable sense of something brewing, a potential tipping point loading.

The way Ravindra Jadeja bowled those first two balls, Muttiah Muralitharan would have jumped off his seat. The first ball turns almost 5 inches after pitching and the second squares up Samarawickrama. Lip-smacking stuff from Jadeja this if you’re a spinner. Keeps it tight in his first over as Sri Lanka reach 47/3 after 13. 

There you have it! The first spinner to take the stage for India is the one who haunted Pakistan last night right here at this venue. After all, why let good form go to waste? Coming off a five-wicket haul less than 24 hours ago, Kuldeep's wrist spin holds the potential to trouble Sri Lanka's batsmen significantly… and he almost does it first ball. Beats Asalanka's defense, prompting Rohit to launch an immediate appeal. KL Rahul opts against it, but the captain signals for the review, only for India to squander one. There is no discernible spike on the ultra-edge as the ball travels past the bat.

Ten overs have been bowled, yet Rohit Sharma persists with pace as Hardik Pandya enters the bowling attack for his maiden over. The required run rate hovers just above 4.3, but considering the Sri Lankan batsmen seem to be adapting to the pace, this might be an opportune moment to introduce one of our slower bowlers. The camera shifts its focus to Ravindra Jadeja, who can be seen warming up vigorously. He appears to be a likely choice for the first change in the bowling lineup. Recall the havoc Wellalage wreaked upon India, and Rohit would be banking on Jadeja's left-arm spin to produce a similar impact.

It takes Charith Asalanka 9 deliveries but he is finally off the mark with probably the shot of the innings. Overpitched from Siraj and Asalanka leans into the drive to cream it through the off side. And thanks to the lightning outfield, Ishan Kishan at covers gives up even before starting. He just goes to pick the ball up. Asalanka then follows it with another boundary – a top edge for 4. Doesn’t matter how they come as long as the runs are being scored.

The Powerplay is over and Sri Lanka move to 39/3 after 10 overs.

After getting beaten four balls in a row, Sadeera Samarawickrama connects one off Bumrah and rather sweetly through the covers. The ball races for a boundary – the fifth of their innings. Bumrah completes his fifth over and goes off the field to take a breather Despite there being not much swing or lateral movement, Bumrah has owned the batters two night in a row now with equally vicious opening spells. Welcome back, BOOM! Boy did we all miss you.

Sri Lanka 31/3 in 9 overs.

OUT! India have picked up a third wicket. This time it's Siraj with the blow as he sends Karunaratne packing. The former Sri Lanka captain was stuck and went into a shell but he should know that Siraj is not the bowler to go after and that too so soon. He too gets beaten for pace as Dimuth slashes at a wide one to give a catch to Shubman Gill at slips who takes it smartly. 

OUT! Slower one and a simple catch. Bumrah with a second wicket as he gets Nissanka. A bit of confusion there as at first, it looked like a bump ball but replayed showed otherwise. The officials referred it to the third umpire which makes it clear. What a set-up though. Bumrah rushed Nissanka with pace in the first two ball and then rolled his fingers over the ball to take the pace off. What a crafty bowler this guy is.

 SL 25/2 in 6.4 overs.

The India quick is back for his 4th over as Rohit sticks to pace. Gets hit for a boundary first ball as Nissanka goes over the infield but follows it with a pacey short ball outside off and then a spot on Yorker. Oh man, this Bumrah makes this Indian attack look like a totally different unit.

Not quite sure what Dimuth Karunaratne’s intensions are here. With 2 off 16 balls he surely looks in no hurry. Sri Lanka aren’t chasing a dauting target we get it, but it may start to look bigger than usual once the spinners come in. A second maiden over for Siraj as Sri Lanka reach 21/1 in 6 overs.

The experiences Kusal Mendis is off the mark with a clip off his pads for FOUR. At first it looked as if the timing wasn't good enough, but it was just the opposite. Ishan Kishan sprinted after the ball but couldn’t get there. A much-needed boundary for SL after consecutive maidens. The crowd goes wild.

Sri Lanka 15/1 after 4 overs

Twisted his ankle? What's that? Bumrah comes steaming in for his second over and strikes first ball as Pathum Nissanka is out caught behind. Thick edge and KL Rahul puts on display a fine piece of wicketkeeping - diving to his right and completes the catch. And what more? Bumrah finishes the over as a wicket maiden. So that's two maidens in a row now for India and it's still only the two new-ball quicks operating.

Sri Lanka 7/1 in 2.1 overs as Nissanka is dismissed for 6 off 7 balls.

Mohammed Siraj right on target in the first 6 overs. With a minimal amount of swing on offer. The India quick finds his line and length right away. Keeps Karunaratne quiet.

Jasprit Bumrah produces a scary sight as he twists his ankle during follow-through and lands awkwardly on the pitch. Thankfully and much to the relief of 1.4 billion Indians, he is alright. He walked up and although he returned to his run up gingerly, there is nothing to worry. Even the Indian players looks worried. Why does it happen to Bumrah? Why him all the time? JEEZ!

Meanwhile, a cracking cover drive from Nissanka gets Sri Lanka going as they end the first over on 7/0

Well as we mentioned earlier, the break wasn't long but was it even 10 minutes? Well, that’s how quickly the Indian fielders and the two openers have made their way out. The experienced Dimuth Karunaratne and the young Pathum Nissanka. Here’s Jasprit Bumrah for India with the new ball, but rest assured, Rohit will bring on the spinners quickly.

Maheesh Theekshana celebrates as the final Indian wicket goes down. Axar and Siraj did really well to see off some crucial overs there but with 6 balls left, it was now or never. Axar tried to clear the boundary but the timings wasn't quite there. Sadeere Samarawickrama takes the catch at long on and India have been bowled out for 213 in 49.1 overs.

Two dots and a single given to Siraj off the first three balls from Pathirana. Axar finds the connection off the fourth ball but the ball goes to mid on where the fielder does well to stop the ball. Axar inclusion paying dividends for India. His batting has really risen in the last year and he is adding some valuable runs with India’s No. 11. He takes a single off the last ball and keeps strike for the final over

India 212/9 after 49 overs against Sri Lanka  

In the last 3 overs, Mohammed Siraj and Axar Patel are batting like it's the 25th, but India would be happy to know that their resistance has brought up the 200 for the team. As soon as they get there, Axar flexes dome muscles and slaps Theekshana for his first six.

India 208/9 after 48 overs against Sri Lanka 

Ravi Shastri called the decision 'commonsense prevailing'. And rightly so. Made little sense to take a 40 minute break followed by another half an hour interval. Remember, we have a match to finish. The rain has done its bit to delay the Asia Cup games as much as it could but cricket has emerged as winner. Nonetheless, here we go. Play resumes: Theekshana to Axar Patel and it's WIDE.

We have an official update regarding the restart time: 7:15 PM. Once again, we'd like to commend the groundsmen for their exceptional effort. They acted swiftly to cover and protect the entire field, minimizing any potential damage. Thanks to their hard work, we are now ready to resume the match in approximately 40 minutes. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have tipped their hats to the dedicated staff at the R Premadasa Stadium. At this moment, both teams are back on the field, along with the umpires. They are utilizing ropes to dry the moisture from the outfield.

An inspection has been scheduled for 7.05pm. Almost all outfield covers, save for one patch, are off. The pitch remains covered up. 

But most of the outfield covers have been taken off. Almost like poetry, the ground staff had taken off the covers on the pitch and replaced it one of those on the outfield and now, they are surgically taking off the others. Can't help but be mesmerised by the way they work in this country.

First the covers on the pitch come off. And then it seems they are going for the outfield covers.

We will start losing overs only around 7.52pm it seems. Still a long time to go for that. The covers are still on.

Well these do seem to passing showers but the covers are all well and truly on, The ground staff are still there though. Let's hope we have a resumption soon, 

And finally those rains have arrived. The groundstaff run on to the field with the first wave of covers as the rain starts pouring down. Let's hope this isn't too much of an interruption but that hope has never become a reality in this tournament.

Dark clouds are starting to roll over the ground and there was rain forecast around this time today. Axar and Siraj seem to have decided that they won't just give their wicket away. They are 194/9 in 46 overs.

Siraj is struck on the pads but going down the leg side. Sri Lanka had set up the kind of field that you see when a team is trying to bowl out the other side in the dying embers of the last session of the fifth day of a Test match. 

Kuldeep caught at slips, he goes for a golden duck. Charith Asalanka, the part-time bowler who has never bowled in this tournament, has taken four and is on a hat-trick as well. He will bowl to Mohammed Siraj. Those empty stands we spoke off earlier? Ya well, it is full now and heaving. Rain has stayed away and the Sri Lankans have put on a show.

Kuldeep Yadav c de Silva b Asalanka 0 (1), India 186/9

Well just as we were singing praises of Bumrah's technique. Asalanka flights it outside off, the ball turns between bat and pad and hits the stumps.

Bumrah showing just how much his batting has improved. He has scored 5 in 11, Axar at the other end on 7 off 14.

Quick and spinning, Jadeja looks to defend off the backfoot, it spun right past him, outside edge and Mendis takes a sharp catch. Jadeja looked back immediately and that is a straight giveaway. India have been completely undone by spin here. Can their own spinners do the same later?

Jadeja c Mendis b Asalanka 4 (19), India 178/7 in 38.5 overs