James: "A Sri Lanka v India ODI in an empty stadium? It's so rare! Can't wait." Some noise in the background now, the trumpet's picking up the tone. Kulaksekara to bowl to Gambhir.

The Indian openers are making their way out, so are the Sri Lankans. Sehwag is back after a while, partnering Gambhir.

2.25pm There isn't yet any update on Rahul Sharma after this piece of news emerged last night. He's part of the Indian squad for this tour.

2.20pm Still a largely empty ground so far, vast sections of blue and yellow in the background.

Our first comment of a day is a statsy one, it comes from Sundeep: "Since aug 2008, india have played 5 ODI series/tournaments in SL... India played 22 matches, won 14, lost 8... importantly, won 4 of the 5 series. In 13 other series between 1985 and 2006, india won only 2 series, 2 were drawn, 1 shared and remaining 8 won by SL." Thanks.

2.05pm Toss time India have won the toss and they will bat. Dhoni reckons the toss will play a vital role at this venue. Irfan Pathan is playing as an allrounder, and India are going in with two spinners. Rangana Herath is back, and he takes Jeevan Mendis' place in the Sri Lankan side. Watch the space above for the updated line-ups. Dhoni had said yesterday that the inclusion of Irfan in the side allows his team to play five specialist bowlers.

We'll have the toss in just a bit. The wind is a factor in Hambantota, according to MS Dhoni, and it's a pretty big field, so the positioning of fielders is key he says.

1.45pm Welcome all to another set of India-Sri Lanka contests. India have had a break of almost two months ahead of this tour and a hectic season. Sri Lanka are on a bit of a high, having beaten Pakistan in the ODI and Test series at home before this. The first game of this five-match series is in Hambantota, and Kanishkaa Balachandran, who covered the Sri Lanka-Pakistan series, has this to say about its shiny new stadium. Siddarth Ravindran has the match preview.

0.1

Kulasekara to Gambhir, 1 run, short of a good length on leg stump and Gambhir is away immediately, working it behind square for a single

Sehwag has two slips

0.2

Kulasekara to Sehwag, no run, goes for it immediately, short and wide and he chases that one, trying to flay it over cover, misses

0.3

Kulasekara to Sehwag, 1 wide, short and wide it's been called a wide this time, chases that one as well, misses once more, was clearly a wide this time

0.3

Kulasekara to Sehwag, no run, fishes for it outside off, bowled from slightly wide of the crease, angling in, tries to open the face, misses

0.4

Kulasekara to Sehwag, no run, short and wide again, keeps a little low this time and Sehwag leaves it be this time, no movement, no swing in the air, so far

0.5

Kulasekara to Sehwag, no run, short of a good length on the off, rocks on the back foot and defends that towards extra cover, some inswing there this time, curved in

0.6

Kulasekara to Sehwag, no run, this one came in further and rapped Sehwag on the pads, swung in and landed on middle and leg to strike him high on the pad, would have gone down and was high

Malinga to bowl now. A slip and a short midwicket for Gambhir

Aditya: "Extremely bored of India Srilanka series now. These two teams play each other every 6 months. In this year itself India and Srilanka have played in Australia, Asia Cup and now these 5 one dayers. Its becoming unbelievably boring. England vs South Africa contest at the Oval looks more fascinating..."

1.1

Malinga to Gambhir, 1 run, nicely done, pitched up outside off, appeared to curve in a hint, Gambhir reaches forward and pushes it past mid-off for a single

1.2

Malinga to Sehwag, 1 run, dropped, Sehwag's been dropped on zero, loose shot, short of a good length and he slices it towards point where, would you believe it, Tillakaratne Dilshan spills a straightforward chance over his head

1.3

Malinga to Gambhir, 1 run, Gambhir's got three in three, goodish length, gets forward and guides it behind point for a single

1.4

Malinga to Sehwag, 1 run, short of a good length on the off, Sehwag gets back and punches it towards extra cover, a fumble allows them a single

1.5

Malinga to Gambhir, no run, superbly bowled, 136.8kmph, almost a yorker and Gambhir was in a bit of trouble, was pace, landed just in front of the yorker length, Gambhir closed his face a little early and got a bit of a leading edge as he tried to dig it out

1.6

Malinga to Gambhir, no run, back of a length on middle, gets on the back foot and turns it to square leg

Jack: "Guys, I think there is something wrong with your site, every time I visit it, these two teams always seem to be playing against each other." Hahaa

2.1

Kulasekara to Sehwag, 1 run, missed run-out, leading edge from Sehwag as he tried to close the face, the ball rolled towards point and Dilshan, this time, fielded brilliantly, diving full length to his right, that created a mix-up in the middle and Gambhir, running towards the striker's end, was gone had Dilshan hit the stumps direct, shaky start this for India

2.2

Kulasekara to Gambhir, OUT, an unusual dismissal but Sri Lanka will take it, bowled round his legs is Gautam Gambhir, short of a good length on leg stump, he shuffles across to work it square, misses, it grazes the flap of the pads and knocks back leg stump, the hosts have struck early

G Gambhir b Kulasekara 3 (12m 6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50.00

It was Sehwag who was looking shaky but he's lost his partner. In comes Virat Kohli.

2.3

Kulasekara to Kohli, no run, short of a good length in the channel outside off, shoulders arms to that one

2.4

Kulasekara to Kohli, no run, an inswinger from Kulasekara, lands full on the off and Kohli pushes it away into the leg side towards midwicket

2.5

Kulasekara to Kohli, FOUR, short and wide and it's been punished, slashes it hard through point, that one held its line and was dispatched

2.6

Kulasekara to Kohli, no run, in the channel outside off, keeps its line and he leaves that one be

3.1

Malinga to Sehwag, no run, fired in full on the off stump, lands on a length and is driven firmly but straight to mid-off

3.2

Malinga to Sehwag, no run, beaten, a bit of away movement there, short of a good length and just nips away, Sehwag pokes at that one and misses

3.3

Malinga to Sehwag, no run, a thick inside edge, pitched up and he was looking to drive that through extra cover, ended up going towards midwicket

3.4

Malinga to Sehwag, no run, pitched on a good length on middle and off, steps forward and pushes it firmly towards extra cover

Davis: "The average age of the Ind team today is 27.3 , while the SL team is 28.5.Small difference in average,despite SL having 4 players over 32, and India with just 2. Dhoni better not blame "old age" for any lapses in fielding."

3.5

Malinga to Sehwag, 1 no ball, rocks forward again this time and punches it into the off side, it's called a no-ball as he overstepped, and that means we have a freehit

3.5

Malinga to Sehwag, 1 run, lands full outside off and it yields just a single, digs it out wide of cover for just one run

3.6

Malinga to Kohli, FOUR, banged in short on leg stump, Kohli tried to work it down fine, it's given runs, may have gone off the hip, we don't yet know, anyway, it's rolled down the fine-leg boundary

4.1

Kulasekara to Sehwag, no run, lands on a good length outside off, steps forward and taps that towards point

4.2

Kulasekara to Sehwag, no run, angling in towards off stump, Sehwag gets forward and pushes it straight to mid-off

4.3

Kulasekara to Sehwag, 1 run, nicely played, short and wide and it's cut away but the third man is squarish and that means Sehwag just gets a single

4.4

Kulasekara to Kohli, no run, short of a good length and it moves back in, Kohli leaves that one alone

4.5

Kulasekara to Kohli, no run, pitched up and he gets forward to defend that confidently towards mid-off

Just one slip

4.6

Kulasekara to Kohli, no run, lands on a good length, presents the full face while playing it to cover

5.1

Malinga to Sehwag, no run, lands on leg stump, tries to whip it square but misses, is struck high on the pads

5.2

Malinga to Sehwag, FOUR, lovely shot, played on the up, on a good length, he moved back and punched it through extra cover and mid-off, timed it well

serious_lee: "Kulasekara and Malinga are both in their 123rd match and are 59 wkts apart"

5.3

Malinga to Sehwag, no run, presents the full face again as he steps forward and knocks it down into the off side

A bright, sunny afternoon in Hambantota

5.4

Malinga to Sehwag, no run, full on the pads and it was there for the taking, tried to flick it square but missed it again, struck on the pads, stifled appeal, but that was going down

5.5

Malinga to Sehwag, FOUR, doesn't waste the chance this time, lands full on the pads once again and it's clipped away past a squarish fine leg to the boundary

5.6

Malinga to Sehwag, no run, beautifully driven but superbly fielded at short extra cover, a one-handed stop moving to his right to prevent a certain four, not sure mid-off could have moved quickly enough to his left to stop that

6.1

Kulasekara to Kohli, no run, angling in towards off stump, rocks forward and defends it towards cover

6.2

Kulasekara to Kohli, 3 runs, just a forceful version of the previous shot, rocks forward and imparts a bit more power into this shot and gets three, playing it past extra cover

6.3

Kulasekara to Sehwag, no run, Sehwag gets forward and flicks that one away well, but straight to midwicket, angling in from Kulasekara

6.4

Kulasekara to Sehwag, no run, keeps a little low, short of a good length, chops it down on the bounce towards slip

6.5

Kulasekara to Sehwag, no run, a bit of swing towards middle,. Sehwag meets it with a straight bat, playing it back to the bowler

6.6

Kulasekara to Sehwag, no run, short of a good length, gets on the back foot and cuts it down towards point

Change in bowling, Angelo Mathews runs in

7.1

Mathews to Kohli, no run, lands on a good length on the off, angling in, defended towards cover

A widish slip and a short extra cover

7.2

Mathews to Kohli, no run, goodish length on the off stump again, covers the line well and taps it towards point

7.3

Mathews to Kohli, 1 run, opens the face on that one and runs that down towards third man for a single

7.4

Mathews to Sehwag, no run, mistimes that one, wanted to thrash that on the up through extra cover but mistimed it towards mid-off

7.5

Mathews to Sehwag, 1 run, slower one from Angelo, Sehwag didn't seem to pick it, wanted to force it through extra cover, got a thick inside edge wide of mid-on, just the single

7.6

Mathews to Kohli, no run, lands on a good length, Kohli opens the face to get it wide of point but a single is prevented

8.1

Kulasekara to Sehwag, no run, nicely driven from Sehwag, he middled that but struck it straight to the bowler, landed on middle and was met with a full face

8.2

Kulasekara to Sehwag, FOUR, not the most attractive of shots but an effective one, short on middle and Sehwag slams it over the bowler's head, just punches it from the crease

8.3

Kulasekara to Sehwag, no run, this one was attractive, got to the pitch and drove it sweetly but straight to cover

No slip

8.4

Kulasekara to Sehwag, 1 run, pitched up and he strikes it hard back to the bowler who gets a foot to it, kicks it towards mid-on and that allows them to sneak a single

8.5

Kulasekara to Kohli, no run, Kohli reaches forward to that delivery bowled in the channel, defended towards point

8.6

Kulasekara to Kohli, FOUR, mid-on is a little wide and Kohli has timed that very well, angling in, lands on a good length, he steps forward and just pushes it firmly past mid-on for a boundary, a quick outfield helps his case

9.1

Mathews to Sehwag, FOUR, That's the Sehwag we know, was a loosener from Mathews, landed in the slot outside off and Sehwag hammered it hard over extra cover for a one bounce four, almost went the distance, got the width he wanted

9.2

Mathews to Sehwag, 1 run, eases that one towards third man for a single

9.3

Mathews to Kohli, no run, gets forward, slightly across, and drives that sweetly towards mid-off, landed on a length

A gully in place

9.4

Mathews to Kohli, no run, opens the face and plays it on the bounce towards that gully fielder who stretches to his right, collects with one hand and prevents the single

9.5

Mathews to Kohli, no run, angling in, short of a good length on middle, worked towards midwicket, no single there

9.6

Mathews to Kohli, no run, can't pierce the off-side field, landed on a good length and was driven hard, but found cover

Sundar: "@Aditya and all those who agree with him: If you find that more fascinating, you are most welcome to watch it. What are you doing on this page then in the first place? Some of us who love the game watch it irrespective of who is playing and what format. No worries, cricket will still survive without some of you."

Thisara Perera has been called on to bowl

10.1

Perera to Sehwag, no run, angling in, lands on a good length on middle, gets on the back foot and plays it back down the pitch

10.2

Perera to Sehwag, no run, Appeal for a catch, superbly taken, but Kulasekara may have injured himself here! Landed on a good length and he mistimed a drive, was looking to clear mid-off, Kulasekara was waiting there and he ran forward and appeared to get under it, diving forward, but from the wide angle it's not 100% clear, a tough call to make for the umpires and Sehwag may just get the benefit of the doubt, it's difficult to say where there was any contact between the ball and the ground and whether he was able to collect it cleanly with his fingers underneath the ball. Sehwag gets the benefit of the doubt.

Mahela Jayawardene had a chat with the umpires, he was not happy.

10.3

Perera to Sehwag, 1 run, pushed off the front foot wide of cover for a single

10.4

Perera to Kohli, no run, dropped, but this was a really difficult chance, Thisara was in his follow through, Kohli pushed one uppishly to the left of the bowler and he dived to his left, stuck out his left hand, but just couldn't hold on

10.5

Perera to Kohli, no run, full outside off and that's been driven hard towards cover, straight to the fielder

10.6

Perera to Kohli, 1 run, short and wide and that's punched through point who's been pushed back, a single

An eventful afternoon, dropped catches, a catch being referred to the third umpire, a missed run-out...

11.1

Mathews to Kohli, 1 run, crunched from the crease through towards deep cover for a single

11.2

Mathews to Sehwag, 2 runs, angling in and that's been worked away through the leg side through square leg for a couple, 50 for India

11.3

Mathews to Sehwag, no run, excellent fielding at gully from Mahela, short and wide and that was cut hard, he dived full length to his left and saved a single

11.4

Mathews to Sehwag, 1 run, can't save this one, short and wide, cut down towards third man for a single

11.5

Mathews to Kohli, 3 runs, nicely done by Kohli, came down the track and took it from a length, drove it through mid-on for three more runs

11.6

Mathews to Sehwag, 1 run, short of a length, chopped over gully for a single down to third man

12.1

Perera to Sehwag, no run, pitches it on a length, Sehwag was looking to drive that through extra cover but checked his shot at the last moment, played it into the leg side in the end

12.2

Perera to Sehwag, 2 runs, short and wide, gets on the back foot and cracks that through point into the deep for a couple of runs

A wide slip in place

12.3

Perera to Sehwag, FOUR, length ball and it's been dealt with, on the off stump and he drives it hard over Kohli, past mid-on, for four more

12.4

Perera to Sehwag, 1 run, short of a good length on the off, chops it down wide of point, just the single

12.5

Perera to Kohli, 1 run, shortish on the off, turned away through the vacant midwicket region for a single

12.6

Perera to Sehwag, 1 run, lands on a good length on the off, eases that through cover into the deep for one more

Aakash: "Funny how all those people who don't seem to care about this series are spending a lot of time following the game and taking the effort to send it their views."

Tillakaratne Dilshan being brought on now, ahead of Herath

13.1

Dilshan to Sehwag, 1 run, shortish on the off, gets on the back foot and forces it through cover for a single

13.2

Dilshan to Kohli, 1 run, tossed up on the off, drives it through the line to long-off for a single

13.3

Dilshan to Sehwag, 1 run, shortish on the off, crunched off the back foot to deep cover

13.4

Dilshan to Kohli, no run, yorked himself there as he moved front and across, tried to drive it through midwicket, got an inside edge onto his shoe

13.5

Dilshan to Kohli, 1 run, pushes it down towards long-on for a single

13.6

Dilshan to Sehwag, 1 run, bowled it flat on the off, knocks it through cover for a single

14.1

Perera to Sehwag, no run, No stopping Sehwag from chasing those, a tempting length outside off and he looked to dismiss that through extra cover, missed

14.2

Perera to Sehwag, 1 run, back of a length on the off, punches it through point and cover for a single in the deep

14.3

Perera to Kohli, 1 run, shortish on the off, that's been guided comfortably down to third man for a single

14.4

Perera to Sehwag, 1 run, appeal for lbw, Sehwag did move across to whip it square, short of a good length, got a thin inside edge, they scramble a quick single

14.5

Perera to Kohli, 2 runs, turns the face and works it gently through square leg, the fielder at deep backward square leg has a fair distance to cover, two more

14.6

Perera to Kohli, 1 run, worked away to deep square leg this time for a single

Time for a short break, the players are taking drinks, India, after a rusty start, are in a good position now

15.1

Dilshan to Kohli, 1 run, that's been driven firmly down to long-off for a single

15.2

Dilshan to Sehwag, no run, bowled it flat on middle, a bit of turn, gets forward and pushes it into the off side

15.3

Dilshan to Sehwag, 1 run, flat on the off, pushed away through cover for a single

15.4

Dilshan to Kohli, 1 run, on middle and leg, clipped through square leg for one more

15.5

Dilshan to Sehwag, 1 run, flighted this time, Sehwag comes down the track and drives it through cover for a single into the deep

15.6

Dilshan to Kohli, 1 run, bowled flat on the off, crunched down the pitch towards long-on for a single

India have decided to take the batting Powerplay, Rangana Herath has been brought on to bowl.

16.1

Herath to Kohli, 1 run, a misfield at midwicket allows them a single, short on middle, pushed towards him but a fumble produces a run

16.2

Herath to Sehwag, 1 wide, Herath, bowling from round the wicket, fires a wide down the leg side

16.2

Herath to Sehwag, 1 run, short on middle, punched off the back foot to long-on

Long-off, long-on and a deep midwicket

16.3

Herath to Kohli, 1 run, floating it on middle from round the wicket, worked in front of square leg for a single

16.4

Herath to Sehwag, no run, quicker through the air, Sehwag was aiming at square leg, got a bit of an inside edge to play it short fine

16.5

Herath to Sehwag, FOUR, easily done, landed outside off and he swept it hard, over square leg, for a boundary, connected well

16.6

Herath to Sehwag, 1 run, flighted on middle this time, raises his half-century with a single to long-on, fifty No.38 for Sehwag, overcame a shaky start, was dropped when on nought, had a close call when he mistimed a drive to Kulasekara at mid-off

Mathews has been brought back on

17.1

Mathews to Sehwag, 1 leg bye, short of a good length on middle and leg, struck on the thighs as he tried to work it square

17.2

Mathews to Kohli, no run, pitched on a length outside off, driven sweetly to extra cover, off the meat but to the fielder

17.3

Mathews to Kohli, no run, short of a good length on the off, knocks it down into the off side off the back foot

17.4

Mathews to Kohli, FOUR, short and wide, unlucky, Kohli made a bit of room and tried to cut that hard, got a thick under-edge and well past the keeper to the third-man boundary

17.5

Mathews to Kohli, no run, steps out of his crease, trying to unsettle the bowler there, Mathews bowls that straight and Kohli plays it back down the pitch

17.6

Mathews to Kohli, 1 run, bowled on a length, firmly driven down the ground, Malinga at mid-on moves to his left, dives and keeps them to a single

18.1

Herath to Kohli, no run, flighted on the off stump, drives that inside out towards extra cover

18.2

Herath to Kohli, no run, flighted outside off, tries to strike that harder but mistimes it to the same fielder again

18.3

Herath to Kohli, no run, yorks himself there, digs that out towards the bowler, Herath runs across and dives to prevent the single

18.4

Herath to Kohli, no run, comes down the track and plays that flat delivery to the bowler, four dots

18.5

Herath to Kohli, 1 run, gets forward and turns it past square leg for a single

18.6

Herath to Sehwag, FOUR, Sehwag spoils the good work done earlier in the over by Herath, that's bowled flat and short on middle and he paddles it really fine, short fine gives chase but can't drag it back in, 100 up for India

19.1

Mathews to Kohli, 1 run, Kohli comes down the track and crunches it towards deep cover for a single

19.2

Mathews to Sehwag, 1 run, angling in towards middle, pushed in front of mid-on for a quick single

Just a note: The new regulations about Powerplays and fielders outside the circle have NOT YET come into effect

19.3

Mathews to Kohli, 1 run, angling in towards middle, drops it into the leg side for a single

19.4

Mathews to Sehwag, 1 run, shortish on the off, runs that one down towards third man for one more

19.5

Mathews to Kohli, no run, on leg stump and missed an opportunity to collect some runs on the on-side, rehearses a shot trying to clear the leg-side field but was looking to work it around for a single

19.6

Mathews to Kohli, no run, short of a good length on the off, knocks it down in front of point

Lasith Malinga is back

20.1

Malinga to Sehwag, 1 run, superbly bowled, third man is up, a yorker on the off stump, squeezed towards that short third man fielder for a single

20.2

Malinga to Kohli, 1 run, bowled full on middle and leg, tickled into the leg side for a single

20.3

Malinga to Sehwag, FOUR, a low full toss outside off and that's asking for trouble with the field set, slices that behind point and with a third-man up, that's four for the taking, brings up the century stand

20.4

Malinga to Sehwag, 1 run, attempted yorker on middle, drives that towards mid-off, collects a single

20.5

Malinga to Kohli, no run, back of a length on the off, gets on the back foot and knocks it down to point

20.6

Malinga to Kohli, 1 run, full on the off, turns his wrists to work it past mid-on for a single

32 runs in the batting Powerplay without the loss of any wicket, I guess India will take that

As soon as the batting Powerplay is done, Dilshan has been brought back on

21.1

Dilshan to Kohli, 2 runs, flighted on the off, Kohli moves inside-out to drive that hard past a diving extra cover for a couple of runs

21.2

Dilshan to Kohli, no run, pushes this one more gently towards the same fielder

21.3

Dilshan to Kohli, no run, short of a length on middle, punched off the back foot to the bowler

21.4

Dilshan to Kohli, 2 runs, short and that's been cut away towards deep point, a slight fumble and Kohli has a chance to run back for the second

21.5

Dilshan to Kohli, 1 run, gets forward to that flat delivery and clips it behind square for a single

21.6

Dilshan to Sehwag, 2 runs, flat on middle, chipped towards long-on, he has to run a few yards to his left and Sehwag can complete the second

22.1

Herath to Kohli, no run, floating it on middle, gets forward and defends it into the off side

22.2

Herath to Kohli, 1 run, curving in, drives that towards deep cover for a single

22.3

Herath to Sehwag, 1 run, ooh, didn't go where he intended, ended up slicing it uppishly just wide of point, one more single

22.4

Herath to Kohli, 1 run, Kohli dances down the pitch, takes it off a length and drives it down to long-off, he's in some form, that's his half-century, 22nd in ODIs

22.5

Herath to Sehwag, 1 run

22.6

Herath to Kohli, 1 run, steps back and punches that down to long-off for a single

The helmets have come off, caps on

23.1

Dilshan to Kohli, 1 run, pushes it down to long-on for a single

23.2

Dilshan to Sehwag, 1 run, ooh, driven uppishly, Dilshan made an initial movement to his right, but that was played to his left, and despite a dive, Dilshan couldn't get a hand on that one

23.3

Dilshan to Kohli, 1 run, short, gets on the back foot and punches it to long-on for a single

23.4

Dilshan to Sehwag, 1 run, comes down the track and cracks that to long-off for one more

23.5

Dilshan to Kohli, 1 run, short and wide, cut away hard towards deep point for a single

23.6

Dilshan to Sehwag, 1 run, tossed up, comes down the pitch and drives it down to long-on for a single

24.1

Herath to Sehwag, 2 runs, Sehwag was looking to attack there, tossed up outside off, made a bit of room and drove it uppishly over extra cover for a couple of runs

24.2

Herath to Sehwag, no run, gets on the back foot but can't punch it past midwicket, was hoping for a single there

24.3

Herath to Sehwag, 1 run, curving in towards middle, pushed past Kohli into the deep for a single

24.4

Herath to Kohli, 1 run, short and flat outside off, punched towards deep cover

24.5

Herath to Sehwag, 1 run, turns the face and drives it towards long-on for a single

24.6

Herath to Kohli, no run, comes down the track, gets to the pitch and plays it back to the bowler

Himanshu Thoke's comment was sent a while back: "What a coincidence and a reflection on two formats of the game... both India and SA have score 104/1 except that in the ODI 20 overs were needed while in test 45. Also the opener has scored half century while no. 3 is in 40's. Great patience being shown by all the four batsmen towards the team cause."

25.1

Dilshan to Sehwag, 1 run, pushes that one down to long-on for a single

25.2

Dilshan to Kohli, no run, driven straight towards extra cover

25.3

Dilshan to Kohli, 1 run, flattish on middle and leg, worked through midwicket for a single

25.4

Dilshan to Sehwag, 1 run, shortish on the off, crunches it down the ground to long-on

25.5

Dilshan to Kohli, 1 run, shortish on middle, punched off the back foot to deep midwicket for a single

25.6

Dilshan to Sehwag, 1 run, slightly short on middle and leg, punched to long-on

26.1

Herath to Sehwag, 1 run, flighted on the off, makes a hint of room and smacks that over extra cover, just the single

26.2

Herath to Kohli, no run, gets forward and pushes it towards extra cover

26.3

Herath to Kohli, no run, comes down the track and plays that one straight back to the bowler

26.4

Herath to Kohli, 2 runs, worked away in front of midwicket for a single, the fielder in the deep takes a while to get to it, easy two for Kohli

26.5

Herath to Kohli, 1 run, drops that one in front of point, Sehwag calls and completes the single in time

26.6

Herath to Sehwag, 1 run, flighted on middle, driven easily down the ground for a single

Tony Greig, on TV commentary, said Kohli has equalled the record for the most consecutive scores of 50 or more in ODIs by an Indian batsman. On par with Sachin Tendulkar. The overall record is held by Javed Miandad.

Perera comes back on, so do the helmets

27.1

Perera to Sehwag, no run, short of a length outside off, cut away straight to point

27.2

Perera to Sehwag, no run, short of a good length, tried to cream that through the covers, mistimed it to cover

27.3

Perera to Sehwag, FOUR, dispatched by Sehwag, mid-on is up and he decided to clear him, stood his ground in the crease, picked it off a good length and smacked it over mid-on for a one bounce four

27.4

Perera to Sehwag, 2 runs, short of a good length, creamed through the covers, but there is a fielder in the deep, he moves to his left to cut it off, two more

27.5

Perera to Sehwag, no run, short of a length, was looking to cut it past point, got an under-edge on the bounce to the keeper

27.6

Perera to Sehwag, 2 runs, driven in the air, two more wide of the deep cover fielder, India moving along smoothly

28.1

Herath to Kohli, 2 runs, shortish on the off, cracked through point into the deep for two more runs

28.2

Herath to Kohli, 1 run, flighted on middle, drives it down towards long-off for a single

28.3

Herath to Sehwag, 1 run, brings up the 150-run stand with a driven single past the bowler

28.4

Herath to Kohli, 2 runs, angling in towards middle, turns it wide of square leg, it's a big ground with lots of open spaces and these two have run well, two more this time

28.5

Herath to Kohli, 1 run, shortish, kept a little low, punched towards long-off for a single

28.6

Herath to Sehwag, 1 run, tossed up on middle, smacked towards long-on for a single

Perera runs in

29.1

Perera to Sehwag, FOUR, Sehwag isn't going to let those go, short and wide, in the zone for Sehwag and he slashes him over point to beat the gap in the deep

29.2

Perera to Sehwag, 2 runs, Sehwag's been fortunate this innings and he has more of that fortune this time, surprised by the short ball was Sehwag and he tried to pull it over midwicket, got a top edge and Malinga, running in from fine leg, couldn't get to it in time and moreover, it bounced over him, two more

29.3

Perera to Sehwag, 1 run, back of a length outside off, runs it down to third man for a single

29.4

Perera to Kohli, no run, gets on the front foot and cracks it well but straight to Mahela at extra cover

29.5

Perera to Kohli, 1 run, short of a good length, squeezed through to deep extra cover for a single

29.6

Perera to Sehwag, no run, loose shot from Sehwag, was looking to cut that over point, the shot was on though, the ball was short and wide but he missed it

Running between the wickets has been a feature of this partnership, several twos taken through square leg and past point. A score of 300, India should think, will be a minimum from here on. Sri Lanka have not been at their best in the field, the dropped chances apart there have been a few fumbles as well

30.1

Herath to Kohli, no run, floating it on the off stump, pushes that one back to the bowler

30.2

Herath to Kohli, 1 run, short of a length outside off, smacked towards deep cover for one more

30.3

Herath to Sehwag, no run, drives it straight towards extra cover, can't get the single this time

30.4

Herath to Sehwag, no run, sliding that one down the leg side, there was some impact with the thigh there, so not a wide

30.5

Herath to Sehwag, 1 run, short of a length outside off, chops it towards point, an easy single taken

30.6

Herath to Kohli, 1 run, worked away off the back foot past square leg for a single

31.1

Perera to Kohli, FOUR, he scored numerous runs using that shot during that blistering hundred he got in Hobart against the same opposition, too straight and Kohli whips that through midwicket for a boundary, uppish but safe and sweetly hit

31.2

Perera to Kohli, FOUR, too easy for Kohli and Perera's been too guilty of doling out that short and wide delivery this match, slashed over point for four more

31.3

Perera to Kohli, OUT, Run-out, Sehwag is walking back, better from Thisara, he held back his length this time a touch while bowling it straight, Kohli dropped it into the off side, Sehwag wanted the single and had taken a start but Kohli sent him back, Thisara collected and did superbly to throw down the stumps at the non-striker's end to catch Sehwag short. He's missed his century

V Sehwag run out 96 (132m 97b 10x4 0x6) SR: 98.96

The partnership was looking even more dangerous with the players starting to open up, and Sehwag's wicket will be a relief for Sri Lanka, who should have had him for nought. Rohit Sharma walks in.

31.4

Perera to Kohli, 1 run, Kohli runs that one down towards third man for a single

31.5

Perera to Sharma, 1 run, short of a good length, looked like the legutter, defended off the back foot in front of point for a single

31.6

Perera to Kohli, 1 run, on a length outside off, pushed towards mid-off for a single

32.1

Herath to Kohli, 1 run, angling in towards middle, turned past square leg for a single

32.2

Herath to Sharma, 1 run, full on the off, Rohit gets a single as he pushes that past a diving midwicket

32.3

Herath to Kohli, no run, short of a length on the off, punched off the back foot straight to extra cover

32.4

Herath to Kohli, 1 bye, beaten completely, he's found no turn with the conventional left-arm spin, but this one came back in, he's got the ability to bring the odd delivery back in, caught the batsman by surprise, as well as the keeper, was unlucky not to get him out bowled

32.5

Herath to Sharma, no run, played away into the leg side

32.6

Herath to Sharma, 1 run, pushed wide of square leg for a quick single

Sri Lanka have decided to take the bowling Powerplay now. Angelo to bowl

33.1

Mathews to Sharma, no run, angling in, slightly short of a good length, plays that one back to the bowler

33.2

Mathews to Sharma, 1 run, short of a good length outside off, runs that one down to third man for a single

33.3

Mathews to Kohli, 1 run, on a good length, pushed on the up towards deep extra cover for a single

33.4

Mathews to Sharma, 1 run, shortish on middle, turned into the leg side past square leg for a single

33.5

Mathews to Kohli, 1 run, comes down the track and thwacks that towards long-off

33.6

Mathews to Sharma, OUT, Angelo's struck, two wickets in quick time, did that nip back in? Short of a good length, landed on the off and appeared to just nip back in, Rohit was late on it and was eventually beaten through the gate, it knocked back off stump

RG Sharma b Mathews 5 (10m 8b 0x4 0x6) SR: 62.50

Suresh Raina is the new batsman, the players have had a drink, Herath to bowl

34.1

Herath to Kohli, 1 run, tossed up on the off, drives it down to long-on for a single

34.2

Herath to Raina, no run, bowled it flat from over the wicket on the off stump, turned away to midwicket

34.3

Herath to Raina, 1 run, flighted on the off, drives it down to long-on for a single

34.4

Herath to Kohli, 1 run, floating it on the off, comes down the track and drives it to long-off

34.5

Herath to Raina, no run, slightly short on the off, gets back and punches it to extra cover

34.6

Herath to Raina, no run, mid-off is up, Raina stepped out of the crease and got to the pitch, but was only able to drive it straight to the fielder

35.1

Mathews to Kohli, no run, angling in towards the off, drops that one towards point

35.2

Mathews to Kohli, FOUR, thrashed from Kohli, stepped out not for the first time to the seamer, took it from a length and hammered it past Mathews, there is a long-off in place but he had no chance

35.3

Mathews to Kohli, FOUR, two quick wickets aren't going to keep Kohli quiet, on a good lenght and he delicately opened the face, third man was a little wide and he managed to beat the keeper and third man for four more

35.4

Mathews to Kohli, 1 run, pushes that one back to the bowler who can't quite field it on his follow through, a single taken

35.5

Mathews to Raina, no run, Huge appeal for lbw, Mathews can't believe it has been turned down, struck Raina dead in line as he moved across but it may have pitched outside leg stump, if it did you can't give those out. We did see one replay but without the pitch map, hard to tell from there

We now see a replay with the pitch map, it just pitched marginally outside leg stump. So the decision was correct

35.6

Mathews to Raina, 2 runs, Raina immediately attacks, mid-off is up and he goes over the top, doesn't quite get hold but clears the fielder nevertheless and picks up a couple

36.1

Herath to Kohli, no run, pushed it back to the bowler

36.2

Herath to Kohli, no run

36.3

Herath to Kohli, FOUR, flighted on middle, that's among Kohli's favourite shots, he stepped out, inside-out, and lofted that over extra cover to pick a boundary, another century on the cards for Kohli

36.4

Herath to Kohli, 1 run, crunched down the ground for a single

36.5

Herath to Raina, no run, flattish on the off, rocks forward and plays it back to the bowler

36.6

Herath to Raina, 1 run, drives that one towards long-on for a single to keep strike

Malinga returns

37.1

Malinga to Raina, 1 run, pitched up on the off, pushed just wide of mid-off for a quick single, direct hit but he's comfortably in is Raina

37.2

Malinga to Kohli, 1 run, full toss and Kohli pushes that meatily towards long-off for a single to move to 99

37.3

Malinga to Raina, 1 run, slower one bowled short outside off, pulls it square into the deep for a single

37.4

Malinga to Kohli, 1 run, Century no.12 in ODIs for Virat Kohli, his fourth in his last five innings, full and wide and it's eased through to deep cover for a single, his prolific run continues, another excellent knock

37.5

Malinga to Raina, no run, pushes it full on the off, stays in the crease and digs it into the leg side

37.6

Malinga to Raina, 2 runs, low full toss on middle and off to Raina, turns that through midwicket into the deep for a couple more runs

38.1

Mathews to Kohli, 1 run, fullish outside off, pushes that through extra cover into the deep for a single

38.2

Mathews to Raina, 1 run, banged in short, Raina was in control there, moved back and pulled it to deep midwicket for a single

38.3

Mathews to Kohli, 1 run, comes down the track and punches that towards long-on for a single

38.4

Mathews to Raina, 1 run, short of a good length on middle, gets across to drop it wide of midwicket for a single

38.5

Mathews to Kohli, 1 run, bowls it full outside off, squeezed through extra cover for one more

38.6

Mathews to Raina, 1 run, short of a good length, played down the ground to long-off for another single

Perera returns

39.1

Perera to Raina, 1 run, on a good length and it's driven on the up to long-off for a single

39.2

Perera to Kohli, no run, angling in towards middle, pushed back straight to the bowler down the pitch

39.3

Perera to Kohli, 1 run, comes down the track and chips that towards long-on for a single

39.4

Perera to Raina, 1 run, nicely timed by Raina, played sweetly down the ground to long-off for a single

39.5

Perera to Kohli, 2 runs, placed it nicely, made some room and chipped that one over extra cover, wide of long-off, for a couple of runs

39.6

Perera to Kohli, OUT, Kohli has to go, a sharp catch at extra cover, was the slower one, Kohli picked it and struck it well, but he was looking to clear extra cover there but couldn't get the elevation, Sachitra Senanayake, the substitute fielder, presumably for Kulasekara, stayed alert and snapped it well

V Kohli c sub (SMSM Senanayake) b Perera 106 (158m 113b 9x4 0x6) SR: 93.80

Haven't seen Kulasekara on the field after that attempted catch off Sehwag. Kohli would have loved to stay on for longer, having got his century he could attack a lot more freely. Sri Lanka have pulled things back since Sehwag's departure. Dhoni is the new man.

40.1

Malinga to Raina, 1 run, shortish on leg stump, turns it square off the back foot for a single

40.2

Malinga to Dhoni, no run, lands on middle and Dhoni pushes it back gently to the bowler

40.3

Malinga to Dhoni, 1 run, short of a good length on middle, punched it down the ground to long-on for a single

40.4

Malinga to Raina, 1 run, shortish on leg stump, dropped in front of square leg for a single

40.5

Malinga to Dhoni, 1 run, a goodish length delivery outside off, struck through point into the deep for a single

40.6

Malinga to Raina, 2 runs, kept out the yorker and what's more, he's picked up a couple, was heading towards middle and leg, Raina moved across and managed to clip it past square leg into the deep

41.1

Perera to Dhoni, FOUR, picked the gap between deep square leg and deep midwicket, the ball was a short one and he had ample time to move back, roll his wrists over it and play it through that gap for a boundary

41.2

Perera to Dhoni, 1 leg bye, sliding on the pads, Dhoni wanted to work that square, struck on the pads, a leg-bye on offer

41.3

Perera to Raina, no run, short of a good length on middle, gets on the back foot and defends it to the bowler

41.4

Perera to Raina, no run, slower one bowled on a length outside off, pushes it towards cover from the crease

41.5

Perera to Raina, 1 run, punched past extra cover from the crease for a single

41.6

Perera to Dhoni, 1 run, short of a good length on middle, turns it through square leg for a single

42.1

Malinga to Dhoni, no run, fires it full outside off, digs it out into the off side, thinks of a single but it's not there

42.2

Malinga to Dhoni, 1 run, full on middle, drives that one down towards long-on for a single

42.3

Malinga to Raina, 1 run, slower one bowled on middle and off, the offcutter, taps it behind point for an easy single

42.4

Malinga to Dhoni, 1 run, bowled it full on middle, drives that down the ground to long-on for a single

42.5

Malinga to Raina, 1 run, pitched on a length on the off, cracks it down to long-off

The seam has come off the ball, and the umpires are going to change it now

42.6

Malinga to Dhoni, 1 run, a yorker on the off stump, dug out past the bowler for a single

43.1

Mathews to Dhoni, no run, short of a length on middle, gets on the back foot and drops it into the leg side

43.2

Mathews to Dhoni, no run, back of a length on the off, turns it into the leg side towards midwicket off the back foot

43.3

Mathews to Dhoni, 1 run, slower one and Dhoni picked it, it was short as well, he pulled it hard to deep midwicket but couldn't get it past the fielder

43.4

Mathews to Raina, no run, slower one bowled on a length on the off from round the wicket, played it back to the bowler

43.5

Mathews to Raina, 1 run, short of a good length on the off, knocks it in front of mid-off for a single

43.6

Mathews to Dhoni, 2 runs, bowls that full on the off, pushes that in the direction of long-on, Raina's the one running to the danger end when they decide on the couple, and he's quick, and makes it in time

44.1

Malinga to Raina, FOUR, a hit-me ball and Raina ensures it doesn't go to waste, a wide full-toss and it's been guided past point, no cover in the deep in that region and it's an easy boundary

44.2

Malinga to Raina, 1 run, full and wide, too much width, slices it down to third man for a single

44.3

Malinga to Dhoni, 1 run, an inswinging yorker from Malinga, dug out through square leg for a single

44.4

Malinga to Raina, no run, low full toss on the off stump, pushes that one straight back to the bowler

44.5

Malinga to Raina, FOUR, imperious from Raina there, appeared to have made up his mind there, had made a bit of room before the ball was delivered, Malinga gifted him a length ball outside off and it was absolutely creamed through extra cover

44.6

Malinga to Raina, no run, slower one on middle and off, knocked down towards point

45.1

Mathews to Dhoni, 1 run, short of a good length on middle, pushes it towards long-on for a single

45.2

Mathews to Raina, 5 wides, five runs, Angelo goes round the wicket and fires a short one down the leg side, Sangakkara dives to his right and can't get a hand to it, Jayawardene will be livid

45.2

Mathews to Raina, no run, angling in towards leg stump, Raina wants to swing it over midwicket, gets an inside edge onto the pads, no run there

45.3

Mathews to Raina, 1 run, and again, he goes after that one, can't get hold of it, much fuller, gets a thick inside edge through square leg for a single

45.4

Mathews to Dhoni, 1 run, bowls it full on middle, driven down towards long-off for a single

45.5

Mathews to Raina, 1 run, third man is up, slower one bowled short outside off, guided towards short third, a quick single taken as Malinga fumbles

45.6

Mathews to Dhoni, no run, pitched up and it's driven hard but straight to extra cover

46.1

Malinga to Raina, SIX, It's first six of the game, in the 47th over, a length ball from Malinga and it was the slower one, he picked it alright, gave it a good swing and connected superbly, cleared long-on easily

46.2

Malinga to Raina, 1 run, full outside off, squeezed that down towards third man for a single

46.3

Malinga to Dhoni, 1 run, tries his famous whiplash shot but doesn't quite work out, was too good a yorker to execute it properly, dug it out for a single to long-on

46.4

Malinga to Raina, 3 runs, poor ball and Raina will be disappointed he didn't flick it fine for a boundary, but he does get three runs, a faint tickle off the bat on the pads and it rolls wide of fine leg

46.5

Malinga to Dhoni, FOUR, There's a whiplash, that was powerfully hit, Mahela's standing at midwicket, it was a juicy full toss from Malinga and Dhoni smashed it, Mahela was slow to react to it and it flew past him, not sure he got a hand, a missed chance?, tough to say

46.6

Malinga to Dhoni, 1 run, another full toss and this time Dhoni mistimes a pull to deep square leg, gets to him on the bounce

This partnership has raced to 57 in seven overs, this after Sri Lanka would have felt like they'd pulled things back after getting rid of Virat Kohli

Thisara runs in

47.1

Perera to Dhoni, 1 run, the legcutter from Thisara, came from the back of the hand, dug out towards long-on for a single

47.2

Perera to Raina, FOUR, bowled on a length and Raina's going to cash in on those, swings it away between deep square leg and deep midwicket for a one bounce four

Kulasekara, Sanjay Manjrekar says on TV commentary, has a groin injury

47.3

Perera to Raina, 1 run, pitched up outside off, driven straight to long-on for a single

47.4

Perera to Dhoni, 1 run, the back-of-the-hand slower ball again, swatted towards long-on for a single

47.5

Perera to Raina, 1 run, full outside off, guides it down to third man for a single

47.6

Perera to Dhoni, no run, fires it full outside off, Dhoni fails to make contact there, was trying to get it past point, a dot ball

48.1

Malinga to Raina, 1 run, another wide low full toss from Malinga, Raina guides it straight to point, gets a single

48.2

Malinga to Dhoni, (no ball) 1 run, a no-ball for height, the full toss was just above waist-high, pulled towards deep square leg for a single

48.2

Malinga to Raina, no run, full outside off, tries to squeeze it towards third man, misses, a belated appeal from Sangakkara

48.3

Malinga to Raina, 1 run, missed run-out, got a bit of bat to it this time but Sangakkara stopped it, Dhoni had already run down to the striker's end as Raina was ball watching, Sanga threw the ball down to Malinga who failed to score a direct hit at the non-striker's end, that handed Raina a single and a half-century, a lovely cameo

48.4

Malinga to Dhoni, FOUR, the whiplash again and it works, full outside off and he manages to clear mid-off with that one, didn't connect as well as he would have liked but got four nevertheless

48.5

Malinga to Dhoni, SIX, connected superbly this time, a big six on a massive ground by Dhoni, it's the whiplash once more, length ball from Malinga who's been flayed all around today, on middle and Dhoni dispatches it miles over the square-leg boundary

48.6

Malinga to Dhoni, no run, leaves that one alone thinking it'll be wided but it was well within reach, Malinga finishes his spell with a dot ball but he's received a thrashing

Perera to bowl the final over

49.1

Perera to Raina, OUT, a meaty full toss but Raina can't cash in this time, swings hard, gets the top edge and Senanayake, the substitute, who's already taken one good catch this innings, makes no mistake. He was at square leg and he turned, ran a few steps and judged it to perfection

SK Raina c sub (SMSM Senanayake) b Perera 50 (75m 45b 3x4 1x6) SR: 111.11

Raina's done his job, playing his part in an attacking partnership to take India past 300

49.2

Perera to Dhoni, OUT, he's played that shot well this innings and he struck that one hard too, but the whiplash fails to clear long-off this time, Thirimanne, standing there, moves back a few steps and takes it over his head

MS Dhoni c Thirimanne b Perera 35 (49m 29b 3x4 1x6) SR: 120.68

Perera's on a hat-trick

Irfan Pathan walks in

49.3

Perera to Pathan, no run, Not a hat-trick because it's not a catch, the appeal for a catch was turned down by the third umpire, low full toss and Irfan looked to turn it to the leg side, was a bump ball but Perera didn't think so as he took it in his follow through, not out in the end

49.4

Perera to Pathan, FOUR, Irfan's turn now, low full toss and it's been smashed over midwicket, big gap in that region and it's a boundary

49.5

Perera to Pathan, 2 runs, dropped, Thirimanne, who took a good catch at long-off earlier in the over, spills a straightforward chance at long-on to the left-hander, pitched up and it's struck straight towards him but he puts it down running forward

49.6

Perera to Pathan, 1 run, swung away into the leg side into the deep for a single

An action-packed return for India after a long break. Kohli and Sehwag had their moments of fortune but their 173-run stand set up a commanding total. Kohli reached his century, Sehwag missed out on one, and Raina and Dhoni stepped up in the latter overs to take the score past 300. Sri Lanka were below-par in the field and India took advantage of that. Up to the hosts' batsmen now to make up for the mistakes committed in the field. Join us at 6.45pm for the chase. See you then. Abhishek Purohit, our man covering this tour, is updating the innings report. Meanwhile, at The Oval, South Africa are going strong.