Ishant and Ashwin restrict Lanka to 181/8

Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin took three wickets apiece as a disciplined India restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 181 for eight in their ICC Champions Trophy semifinal match here today.
Angelo Mathews was Sri Lanka's top-scorer with 51.
After winning the toss, India's quick bowlers exploited the conditions very well and the Sophia Gardens track saw some seam and bounce. While Bhuvneshwar Kumar moved the ball around, Ishant and Umesh Yadav used their build to torment the Lankan top order.
For the first time in the championship, India's new ball bowlers were like demons, extracting pace, lift and movement all in tandem.

Ishant (3/33) got appreciable lift at the Taff River end and at least three deliveries lifted disconcertingly. There were several play and misses but the deliveries that pitched, lifted and left the batsmen, fetched the wickets.
The fact that the first three Lankan batsmen were all caught at slips explains how the ball jagged around in the overcast conditions. The decision to bowl first after winning the toss was thus vindicated.

The weather improved dramatically after a rainy morning. Great work by the ground staff ensured the start would be delayed by only 30 minutes. This was the best gift to about 14,000 fans that turned up, most of them Indians.

While Team India retained their XI, Lanka made two changes. Vice-captain and in-form batsman Dinesh Chandimal failed a fitness test and made way for Jeevan Mendis while all-rounder Thisara Perera replaced Shaminda Eranga. Both failed with the bat.
Bhuvneshwar gave India an early breakthrough, the left-handed Kusal Perera paying the price for playing an expansive drive and edging to slips. But what hurt the Lankans was the departure of Tillakaratne Dilshan, who retired after scoring 12 off 14 balls.
The explosive opener had just struck Yadav for boundaries when he pulled up after playing an on-side stroke. Dilshan hobbled off the pitch, clutching his right calf. It was a technical knockout with Lanka reeling at 17 for two in the fourth over.