The carrom ball of the century

The pre-game forecast suggested rain might wash out the 55th India v Sri Lanka game in five years. However, the weather relented after a heavy morning downpour. India were overwhelming favourites given their form and recent track record against the familiar opponents.

India win the toss and qualify for the final.... #cricket #ct13

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) June 20, 2013

Totally understand why the English invented T20! With that kind of climate, that's the best they could do to finish a game! #ct13 #IndVsSL

— Blessen Varghese (@blessenv) June 20, 2013

The toss was delayed by only 30 minutes and no overs were lost.

What if it rains during National Anthems? Do they leave field or stay on? #JustAsking

— Cricket Updates (@cricket_U) June 20, 2013

MDKJ Perera. DPMD Jayawardene. BMAJ Mendis. HDRL Thirimanne. KMDN Kulasekara. NLTC Perera. Myers and Briggs would love Sri Lanka.

— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) June 20, 2013

India bowled first on a moist wicket that had something in it for every kind of bowler. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was in the business immediately, removing Kusal Perera with an away-swinger. Umesh Yadav had Tillakaratne Dilshan hopping - he injured his leg trying to play a shot, and had to leave the field despite treatment.

Dilshan can't run? Never stopped Sehwag.

— Alternative Cricket (@AltCricket) June 20, 2013

Yadav and Bhuvneshwar made run-scoring close to impossible in their opening spells.

All eyes of Sri Lanka now on Ishant Sharma. He is their only hope. #CT13

— Vikramaditya singh (@vikku21singh) June 20, 2013

Ishant's hair was the big talking point when he came on for a bowl. The broadcasters even turned the HotSpot camera on him. It made for hair-raising viewing.

The creator of hotspot didn't have Ishant Sharma in mind when he created it.

— Sports Dimension (@Sport_Dimension) June 20, 2013

Someone can take a screenshot of Ishant Sharma's hotspot image? Would work big time in scaring children, thanks! #ct13 #indvsl

— Sidharth (@Bossitive) June 20, 2013

Ishant nipped out Kumar Sangakkara and Lahiru Thrimanne, both of them edging to Suresh Raina, making it a hat-trick of catches for him.

Ishant Sharma has taken 2 top order wickets in 1 match !!? Pinch me, please #ct13

— Palash Verma (@11palash11) June 20, 2013

Websites should start changing Suresh Raina profile description. From batsman to fielding all-rounder. #CT13

— Siddharth Prabhakar (@Idly_kunda) June 20, 2013

Sri Lanka pottered about to reach 41 for 3 after 18 overs. Blame it on the typically English conditions in Wales.

I love it when the commentators at the #CT13 at Cardiff talk about being in England. Must infuriate Welsh viewers something rotten!

— PeterPRandRadio (@PeterPRandRadio) June 20, 2013

SL batting like they're in a 19th century timeless test here! If D/L comes into it, India won't mind this at all! #IndvSL #ct13

— Nikesh Rughani (@NikeshBBC) June 20, 2013

Hey Sri Lankans, just because final is three days away it doesnt mean you have three days to play. Buckle up #INDvsSL #CT13

— T.H.A.R.U.N (@Tharun_Yeluguri) June 20, 2013

The ball was seaming about so much that MS Dhoni relinquished the keeping gear to come on for a trundle. Most watchers were caught by surprise...

In a rare confession, National Security Agency (NSA) admits even it had no clue Dhoni would bowl today. #CT13 #Sri Lanka #indvsl

— vinay kumar dokania (@vinaydokania) June 20, 2013

... But not all of them.

just paid nasser husain a pound on a friendly wager!! he had said this morning that dhoni would bowl!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 20, 2013

don't know who said it first but relevant today- can argue best keeper/batsman in the world but not doubt who the best keeper/bowler is!!

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravCNNIBN) June 20, 2013

Then: Dravid wore gloves to strengthen batting order Now: Dhoni loses gloves to maximize bowling options. #AllTime

— ABVan (@ABVan) June 20, 2013

Dhoni nearly had Mahela Jayawardene out in his first over.

Ganguly in the commentary box must be wishing if he can get an over somehow. #ct13 #SLvIND

— Sandeep Aulakh (@_aulakhs) June 20, 2013

30 overs up and Ashwin hasnt bowled. Maybe he paused in his run-up and hasn't recovered yet. #CT13

— Madan Viswanathan (@abishtooh) June 20, 2013

Ravindra Jadeja came on and began to spin the ball big. The tricky nature of the pitch had even the commentators stumped.

Since when did a dry turning pitch on a rainy Welsh day become a typical English pitch, Sanjay? #justasking #CT13

— TheMatchReferee (@TheMatchReferee) June 20, 2013

Jayawardene's exit meant Sri Lanka had to shut the shutters and rebuild. The batting Powerplay included two maidens and went for only 12 runs.

CricInfo apparently has misspelled Mathews's name. It should be Angeslow.

— Burton DeWitt (@bsd987) June 20, 2013

Mendis - this guys got more blocks than my lego set.

— Cricket Cliches (@Cricket_Cliche) June 20, 2013

Misbah Ul Haq would be soooo proud today!! #SLbatting #ct13 #indvssl

— Impatient Optimist (@KarmarkarVarun) June 20, 2013

Sri Lanka kept losing steam though. The highlight of the slog overs was R Ashwin bowling Nuwan Kulasekara behind the legs.

Did you watch R Ashwin bowl Nuwan Kulasekara with the "Carrom ball of the century"? #ct13

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 20, 2013

Tillakaratne Dilshan came back to bat, but he was clearly in a lot of strife. A pitch invasion caused a flutter near the end of the innings. It happened while the ball was in play too.

"Sorry, Dilshan, there was a man on the ground, that is a dead ball". How I'd troll Dilshan as an umpire.

— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) June 20, 2013

Must be pretty difficult to tell who's a random member of the public and who's meant to be a Sri Lankan batsman. #ct13

— 51allout (@51allout) June 20, 2013

India's in-form top order was faced with a chase of 182. The openers - Rohit Sharma in particular - were edgy, but survived the early movement.

I think @TomMoodyCricket and @RusselArnold69 are saving time and saying "edged" as soon as the ball is released to Rohit.

— Alternative Cricket (@AltCricket) June 20, 2013

Rohit: 'how doth I edge thee? Let me count the ways.' #SLvIND #CT13

— Samuel Honywill (@SDHoneymonster) June 20, 2013

'Your child is very Rohit Sharma'. Overheard in a primary school. #talented #ct13

— Nehal Joshi (@nehalmax) June 20, 2013

Shikhar Dhawan didn't let the misses and edges curb his attacking mindset.

Dhawan should run for US president or try flying....this kind of luck should not be wasted on puny things like playing cricket.

— ABVan (@ABVan) June 20, 2013

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma - the first opening pair to be involved in four 50+ stands in a row in #ICCCT #CT13 #IndvsSL

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) June 20, 2013

Rohit perished just as he looked good for a substantial knock, but Dhawan continued to pile it on.

Shikhar Dhawan since his comeback 187 (174b)v Aus 114 (94b) v SAf 102* (107b)v WI 48 (41b)v Pak 52* (73b)vSL #indvsSL #CT13

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) June 20, 2013

Virat Kohli marched past 50 as well, against his favourite opponents.

Virat Kohli has hit four 100s and one 50 in his last eight innings against Sri Lanka. India on the verge of making the #ct13 final

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 20, 2013

India finished the chase with 15 overs to spare, extending their scarcely-believable run in the tournament.

Suresh Raina hits the winning runs off a short ball. What sort of parallel universe is the #CT13 being held in?

— Alternative Cricket (@AltCricket) June 20, 2013

So an India v England final. Plenty to look forward to on Sunday, on and off the field.

@mojorojo What if Ganguly removes his Shirt and throws on Naser Hussain after the win.

— Joey Tribbiani (@oneelife) June 20, 2013