Commonwealth Bank Series, 2008 (Australia)

India vs Sri Lanka, ODI

It was a clinical effort by the Indians. They bowled well and then batted like they are known for and the best part was that this was a pure team effort. Key players Sachin and Yuvraj seem to have found some touch finally and come the finals, this might be handy. Sri Lanka never really looked to have the firepower to restrict India below 180 and the way Sachin started off, it made the Lankan job all the more difficult. Gambhir gave him great company and carried on with his good form, thereby surpassing 400 runs in the series. Yuvraj also tonked a few balls and India now look to be in some shape. The Finals will call for some exciting cricket but before that we have the formal match between Australia and Sri Lanka in a couple of days time. Till then it is good bye and good day from all of us. Adios...

Praveen Kumar is the Man of the Match for his impressive bowling figures of 4 for 31 from 10 overs which include 2 maidens.

India win by 7 wickets, take home a bonus point and storm into the Finals of the CommonWealth Bank Series

32.2 Muralitharan to Gambhir, 1 run, back of a length delivery down the leg side, Gambhir shuffles across and glances it to deep square leg for a single, that's all over, India edge out the Sri Lankans to book a berth in the finals!

32.1 Muralitharan to Gambhir, 2 runs, short and wide outside the off stump, Gambhir goes on the backfoot and cuts it square of the wicket for a couple, SCORES LEVELLED!

31.6 Dilruwan to Gambhir, 1 run, delivery looped up on the off, curving in and spins away from him, Gambhir comes on the frontfoot and drives it to mid off for a quick single

31.5 Dilruwan to Rohit Sharma, 1 run, delivery looped up outside the off stump, angling into the right hander, Rohit Sharma comes on the frontfoot and drives it to cover for a single, good running

31.4 Dilruwan to Rohit Sharma, no run, a touch quicker on the stumps, angling into the right hander, Rohit Sharma closes the face of the bat and looks to work it on the leg side, inside edge onto the pads

31.3 Dilruwan to Rohit Sharma, 2 runs, Dilruwan tosses it up on the middle and leg, drifting into the right hander, Rohit Sharma comes down the track and closes the face of the bat, whips it between midwicket and long on for a couple, gets off the mark

31.2 Dilruwan to Rohit Sharma, no run, delivery looped up on the middle and leg, drifting in, Rohit Sharma closes the face of the bat and turns it to short mid wicket, straight to the fielder on that occasion

31.1 Dilruwan to Rohit Sharma, no run, strays on the pads, Rohit Sharma shuffles across and glances it straight to the fielder at short fine leg

30.6 Muralitharan to Gambhir, no run, back of a length delivery on the middle and leg, Gambhir goes on the backfoot and tucks it down on the leg side

30.5 Muralitharan to Gambhir, no run, way outside the off stump, looks to drive it through covers, mistimes it on the off side, went a touch too hard at that one

30.4 Muralitharan to Gambhir, no run, delivery looped up down the leg side, Gambhir closes the face of the bat and glances it straight to the fielder at short fine leg

30.3 Muralitharan to Gambhir, no run, defends it on the off side

30.2 Muralitharan to Gambhir, 2 runs, Muralitharan tosses it up outside the off stump, angling into the left hander and then spins away from him, Gambhir comes on the frontfoot and drives it to sweeper cover for a couple

30.1 Muralitharan to Gambhir, no run, delivery looped up outside the off stump, spins away from the left hander sharply, Gambhir drives away from the body, in the air but short of gully

29.6 Dilruwan to Rohit Sharma, no run, tossed up straight on the stumps, no real spin on that occasion, Rohit Sharma comes on the frontfoot and shows the full face of the bat, defends it straight back to the bowler

29.5 Dilruwan to Rohit Sharma, no run, Dilruwan tosses it up on the off, Rohit Sharma gets right behind and defends it solidly on the off side

Rohit Sharma, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Dilruwan to Yuvraj, out Caught by Dilshan at cover!! delivery looped up on the off, curving in and spins away from the left hander sharply, Yuvraj comes on the frontfoot and looks to go for the expansive cover drive, finds the man, tame dismissal and Yuvraj departs just at the brink of victory!!! Yuvraj c Dilshan b Dilruwan 36(35) [4s-4 6s-1]

29.3 Dilruwan to Yuvraj, no run, delivery looped up on the off, curving in and spins away from the left hander, Yuvraj gets forward and defends it on the off side

29.2 Dilruwan to Gambhir, 1 run, delivery looped up on the middle and leg, angling into the left hander, Gambhir comes on the frontfoot and drives it to long on

29.1 Dilruwan to Yuvraj, 1 run, back of a length delivery outside the off stump, angling into the left hander and then spins away, Yuvraj opens the face of the bat and back cuts it to backward point for a single

Dilruwan Perera is back into the attack

28.6 Muralitharan to Yuvraj, 1 run, delivery looped up outside the off stump, spins away from him, Yuvraj comes on the frontfoot and drives it square of the wicket for a single

28.5 Muralitharan to Yuvraj, no run, that's the doosra, spins back into the left hander, Yuvraj gets forward and looks to defend it, inside edge onto the pads, loud shout for lbw but turned down!

28.4 Muralitharan to Gambhir, 1 run, flighted delivery outside the off stump, spins away from him, Gambhir comes on the frontfoot and drives it to deep extra cover for a single

28.3 Muralitharan to Gambhir, no run, full toss outside the off stump, Gambhir comes on the frontfoot and looks to go for the crashing cover drive, went too hard at it, mistimes it straight to the fielder at extra cover

28.2 Muralitharan to Gambhir, no run, defends it on the off side again

28.1 Muralitharan to Gambhir, no run, tossed up on the off, curving in and spins away from him, Gambhir gets forward and defends it straight to the fielder at mid off

27.6 Amerasinghe to Yuvraj, no run, fuller length delivery on the stumps, angling into the left hander, Yuvraj comes on the frontfoot and shows the full face of the bat, drives it straight to the fielder at mid off

27.5 Amerasinghe to Gambhir, 1 run, fullish delivery outside the off stump, angling into the left hander and then shapes away, Gambhir comes on the frontfoot and drives it to extra cover for a single again

27.4 Amerasinghe to Yuvraj, 1 run, fuller length delivery outside the off stump, Yuvraj comes on the frontfoot and drives it to sweeper cover for a single

27.3 Amerasinghe to Yuvraj, no run, good length delivery on the stumps, angling into the left hander, Yuvraj gets right behind and defends it solidly on the off side

27.2 Amerasinghe to Yuvraj, FOUR!!, Amerasinghe bangs it in short outside the off stump, angling into the left hander, Yuvraj goes on the backfoot and gets into a great position, pulls it to deep mid wicket for four, one bounce over the ropes, terrific timing!!!

27.1 Amerasinghe to Yuvraj, no run, touch short of good length delivery on the off, angling into the left hander, Yuvraj goes on the backfoot and punches it straight to the fielder at cover

26.6 Muralitharan to Gambhir, FOUR!!, Muralitharan tosses it up on the middle and leg, angling into the left hander, Gambhir gets under it nicely, smacks it to long on, loads of elevation and had just about the distance to kiss the ropes, Gambhir fetches himself a boundary, India inch closer to book a berth in the finals!

26.5 Muralitharan to Yuvraj, 1 run, Muralitharan tosses it up outside the off stump, angling into the left hander, Yuvraj comes on the frontfoot and drives it to long off for a single

26.4 Muralitharan to Yuvraj, no run, delivery looped up on the off, curving in and spins away, Yuvraj gets forward and defends it on the off side

26.3 Muralitharan to Yuvraj, FOUR!!, delivery looped up outside the off stump, spins away from the left hander sharply, Yuvraj kneels down and jams it to backward square leg, that was hit with a lot of disdain, one bounce over the ropes, had the fielder been on the edge, it would have been caught!

26.2 Muralitharan to Gambhir, 1 run, Muralitharan comes round the wicket to Gambhir now, flighted delivery outside the off stump, leans into the shot and drives it between extra cover and long off for a single