India, Sri Lanka in final

Bhuvaneshwar Kumar’s career-best four wickets for eight runs steered India into the final of the Celkon Mobile Cup Series via an 81-run win over Sri Lanka in their rain-affected match at Queen’s Park Oval yesterday.
India’s win eliminated the West Indies from the competition, meaning that India will again face Sri Lanka in the final at the the same venue tomorrow.
The encounter was interrupted at 11:39 a.m. by heavy rain with India leaving the field on 119 for three after 29 overs.
It was Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten 48 off 83 balls that got them into triple figures after they were sent in to bat.
When the sun came back out at around 3 p.m., the umpires had a look at the pitch and decided that the game would continue as a 26-over match with Sri Lanka needing 178 to win under the Duckworth/Lewis method.
Kumar gave India the perfect start with the ball, getting two wickets in two balls to set Sri Lanka back.
Sri Lanka opener Upul Tharanga had guided one straight into the hands of Suresh Raina at second slip before Kumar Sangakkara was trapped lbw for a first ball duck.
They were behind from then on and two more quick strikes by Kumar ensured Sri Lanka did not recover to challenge India’s total, as Mahela Jayawardena fell for 11 quickly followed by Lahiru Thirimanne for a duck.
Man-Of-The-Match Kumar caused all kinds of trouble and by the end of his six-over spell, India were in full control.
“If you perform well for your country, you feel proud,” Kumar said “You had to put the ball in the right areas. This was the most helpful pitch I have bowled on.”
There was no way back for Sri Lanka but they did enough to ensure their net run-rate stayed above that of West Indies, which ensured their place.
“It was a tough wicket to bat on. We bowled well, but when we batted the pitch had been under covers and had sweated more,” said Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews.
“We had nothing to lose and went for it. It’s mentally and physically draining to play three days in a row. We have played some good cricket to get to the final. Hopefully, we can beat India.”