IND vs SL, 3rd T2OI: Dhawan-Rahul 50s, Shardul's Cameo Guide India To Mammoth 201-9

The hosts got off to a flier with openers Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul delivering the goods with some lusty blows in the powerplay

India posted a challenging 201 run total against Sri Lanka in the 3rd and final T2OI being played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium at Pune. The hosts got off to a flier with openers Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul delivering the goods with some lusty blows in the powerplays. Just as the opening duo looked to blossom after the opening fury, spinner Lakshan Sankadan struck first blood for Sri Lanka getting rid of well settled Dhawan. Wanindu Hasaranga produced a deceptive googly to dismiss Sanju Samson cheaply. Sankadan struck again with double strikes removing half centurion KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer. Skipper Virat Kohli coming to bat at No. 6 got into the act immediately and stepped up the scoring rate with Pandey by hitting a flurry of boundaries. A brilliant throw by Gunathilaka saw the end of Virat Kohli, who found himself short. Pandey produced the late flourish with Shardul Thakur to help the home team post a herculean 202 run total. India are 1-0 up in the 3-match series after winning the second T2OI at Indore