The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
10:42 pm local time (10:42 pm IST): So that will be all from tonight at the Miraj International Cricket Stadium! Thank you so much for being with us, friends! This is the pair of Meeth and Bidipto taking your leave. Keep following Sportskeeda!
Manpreet Gony (Player of the Match, 28 runs off 17 balls and 2/8 off 2 overs): It was lovely playing together with one another after so many years, and we enjoyed it out there! Always happy to contribute with both bat and ball. Looking forward to a good tournament now!
Shikhar Dhawan (Indian Royals captain): I feel so good coming here! The fans have been great too with their energy! This is a really good stadium, like an international stadium actually! I have played a lot of cricket with the likes of Tillakaratne Dilshan and Thisara Perera, so to get this chance again was superb! We were quite clinical today though. The Indian ODI team was the best in the Champions Trophy and no surprises that they won the tournament!
Thisara Perera (Sri Lankan Lions captain): Tough luck for us but thanks to organizing committee for creating such a nice atmosphere. We dropped a few catches. You know I have played with these guys in IPL and international cricket and nice to see them here.
10:22 pm local time (10:22 pm IST): Indian Royals win by 46 runs!
Right from the start of the innings to finish, Indian Royals maintained the pressure of the scoreboard on Sri Lankan Lions and the visitors crumbled under it in the end!
The frontline pace attack, comprising four quality seamers, had its impact up front and then the spin of Shadab Jakati weaved its magic. The surprise package was Manoj Tiwary's off-spinners which were low-arm and pretty hard to pick for the batters, especially off the pitch!
Fielding on the whole was impressive, with Anureet Singh leading the way with some top saves. Rahul Yadav's wicketkeeping was just as good, if not better! That delivery to dismiss Tillakaratne Dilshan for a low score by Manpreet Gony was special as well, and quite noteworthy, given the circumstances!
Sri Lankan Lions had plenty to do when they lost some of their big names early on and never really matched up to the challenge Shikhar Dhawan's men threw them into!
The pitch got better to bowl on, but the batting was not the best by any stretch of the imagination in these conditions. Arul Anthoney had to retire hurt due to the injury to his hand in the first innings itself.
A convincing win to begin the campaign for Indian Royals, and time to reflect on things for Sri Lankan Lions to get back stronger into the mix tomorrow itself!
20.0
19.2 Manoj Tiwary to Upul Indrasiri, BOWLED HIM! Very slow and full from Manoj Tiwary, Upul gets beaten by the change of pace as the ball takes the off stump. With Arul retired hurt, this is thus end of the match as Indian Royals win by 46 runs.
Upul Indrasiri b Manoj Tiwary 0 (1b, 0x4, 0x6)
19.1 Manoj Tiwary to Mervan Fernando, back of a length outside off, cut away to cover.
Upul Indrasiri, LHB, is at the non-striker's end.
Anureet deserved a wicket and nothing better than taking the catch of your own bowling! He has had a good day in the office.
19
overs
114/8score
0
0
1
1
6
W
runs
Vikum Sanjaya*
7(5)
Mevan Fernando
19(18)
Anureet Singh
2/26
18.6 Anureet Singh to Vikram Sanjaya, GONE THIS TIME! Anureet gets his revenge. Short ball, Sanjaya wanted to pull it again but top edges it and hands an easy catch to Anureet himself.
Vikum Sanjaya c and b Anureet Singh 7 (5b, 0x4, 1x6)
Vikum Sanjaya, where were you hiding? The first six of the innings comes in the 19th over!
18.5 Anureet Singh to Vikram Sanjaya, MASSIVE SIX! FIRST OF THIS INNINGS! Back of a length on the body, Sanjaya swings it hard and pace of the ball meant it flew over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.
18.4 Anureet Singh to Mervan Fernando, slower one outside off, cut to cover point.
18.3 Anureet Singh to Vikram Sanjaya, length ball on the stumps, played to mid off.
18.2 Anureet Singh to Vikram Sanjaya, short ball outside off, and again goes back to the keeper.
18.1 Anureet Singh to Vikram Sanjaya, Length ball outside off, Sanjaya goes for a swing but misses.
Vikum Sanjaya, RHB, is at the crease.
Arul Anthony has retired hurt 7 (8b, 1x4, 0x6)
So Manoj Tiwary gets yet another over in this spell. And he bowls it rather well, barring a few extras. However, he is a threat with those low-arm slingers of his!
18
overs
106/7score
1
0
1
1
1wd
1
1wd
0
runs
Mevan Fernando*
18(17)
Arul Pragasam
7(8)
Manoj Tiwary
1/16
17.6 Manoj Tiwary to Mervan Fernando, overpitched and Mervan gets hit on the pads in an attempt to sweep.
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Vikum Sanjaya
*
Anureet Singh
Video
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