India storm into Champions Trophy Final

A power-packed performance by Indian bowlers, followed by superb batting from Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli helped India register an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second semifinal and enter the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. India, the only unbeaten team in the tournament so far, will take on hosts England in the final on Sunday.

India won the toss and elected to field first in Cardiff today. The seamers supported by the fielders tightened the noose on the Sri Lankan batsmen. The Lankans finished at 181/8 in 50 overs. Jayawardene (38), Mathews (51) and Jeevan Mendis (25) were the top scorers. For India, Ishant Sharma and R Ashwin took three wickets each.

Chasing a victory target of 182, the Indian openers added 77 runs for the first wicket. Rohit Sharma made 33. After his departure, Kohli and Dhawan took things forward. Dhawan scored yet another half century in the tournament. He scored 68. Dhawan has scored two hundreds, one 48 and another half century (today) in the ICC Championship 2013.

India reached 182/2 in 35 overs and won the match by 8 wickets. Apart from Rohit and Dhawan, Virat kohli remained unbeaten on 58. Ishant Sharma was declared “Man of the Match”. This is India 3rd appearance in the Champions Trophy final.