India vs Sri Lanka, Visakhapatnam ODI, Highlights: Shikhar Dhawan ton guides IND to 8th consecutive series win

India defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the series-deciding third and final ODI to clinch the series 2-1. Chasing a target of 216, India lost stand-in captain Rohit Sharma early but Shikhar Dhawan’s unbeaten 100 and Shreyas Iyer’s second consecutive half-century guided the hosts home with 107 balls to spare. Earlier, three wickets each from Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav restricted the visitors to 215. This was India’s eighth consecutive bilateral ODI series win since June 2016. Get highlights of India vs Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI in Visakhapatnam here. (SCORECARD | STREAMING INFO) (ASHES SCORES) (PV Sindhu vs Akane Yamaguchi Scores)

20:21 hrs IST: That’s it. Thank you for joining us. Until next time, it’s goodbye. Cheers!

Rohit Sharma (India captain): “Terrific comeback after the first match. We showed a lot of character, at one point, they had a run-rate of six. That has been a hallmark of this team, when we have been put under pressure, we’ve responded. The first game was testing as a captain. The second game, we had enough runs, it was the perfect game for me to settle in as a captain.”

Shikhar Dhawan (Man of the Series): “I feel like I’m batting my best, I know my game well now, which is why my consistency has gone up. A bit on technique and changed my guard. I’m an experienced player, I know how to handle situations, and my success rate has gone up.”

Kuldeep Yadav (Man of the Match): “We’re just looking for middle-order wickets. The wicket was good for spinners, we were getting sharp turn, that motivated me.”

Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka captain): “First match we won easily, a good chance to beat India in India, but didn’t execute. We got a good start, but we couldn’t execute with our middle order. We have to think about the T20s.”

19:56 hrs IST: FOUR! And that’s it. India beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets to win the three-ODI series 2-1. India’s undefeated streak in ODIs continues.

19:44 hrs IST: FOUR! Too straight from Mathews and Dhawan just helps it to fine leg boundary. Moves into 90s.

19:37 hrs IST: It has been a good 2017 for India, but still one problem remains and that’s the middle-order. In South Africa, a 30/3 situation would raise a lot of issues.

19:30 hrs IST: BOUNDARY! Too full from Perera and Dhawan lifts it over mid-wicket for one bounce four. Easy pickings!

STAT ATTACK - Dhawan gets to 4000 ODI runs, the second fastest Indian to do so.

19:18 hrs IST: FOUR! Overpitched from Perera and Karthik flicks it through mid-wicket for his first boundary of the night.

19:12 hrs IST: OUT! And Iyer goes. Throws away the chance to score a hundred. But nonetheless, a good innings (65) from the Mumbai batsman. Dinesh Karthik is in at No. 4.

19:09 hrs IST: Costly over from Gunaratne, 17 runs off it. India are 148/1 after 22 overs. Iyer 65*, Dhawan 58*

19:04 hrs IST: FIVE WIDES! Adding insult to injury. There seems no fight at all.

19:01 hrs IST: Impact innings from both Iyer and Dhawan. Can’t get any better for the hosts.

18:56 hrs IST: SIX! And Shikhar Dhawan hits fifty, 24th in ODIs. India well on course to register their eighth consecutive ODI series win.

18:53 hrs IST: FOUR! Touch short from Perera, Dhawan gets into position early and pulls it through mid-wicket. Moves into 40s. India are 116/1 after 19 overs.

18:47 hrs IST: Time for drinks. India are 109/1 after 18 overs -- Iyer 57*, Dhawan 38*

18:43 hrs IST: Shreyas Iyer could well be the answer to India’s No. 4 woes. Will be a tough choice for Virat Kohli when it comes to picking the best XI for South Africa ODIs. Pressure on Dinesh Karthik.

18:38 hrs IST: Single and that’s fifty for Shreyas Iyer, second consecutive for the Mumbaikar. Can he score a hundred today?

18:34 hrs IST: 35 runs in last three overs. India are cruising. Sri Lanka look deflated. This could end very soon, says our correspondent Siddharth Vishwanathan.

18:30 hrs IST: Dhawan should look to stay till the end. India’s middle-order is too fragile and a wicket here would put the hosts in some trouble. They are 86/1 after 14 overs.

18:24 hrs IST: India have scored 58 in the last seven overs. Wickets is the only way Sri Lanka can create history in the ‘City of Destiny’.

18:19 hrs IST: Two boundaries for Iyer. While the first was a firm pull to deep mid-wicket boundary, the second a sweetly timed through cover. This man is here to stay! India are 67/1 after 11 overs. Sachith Pathirana comes into the attack.

18:15 hrs IST: Here comes the first change in bowling - Angelo Mathews.

18:14 hrs IST: Expensive over from Dananjaya, 10 runs off it. India are 55/1 after 10 overs. Dhawan 27*, Iyer 14*

18:11 hrs IST: FOUR! Too short from Dananjaya, Dhawan rocks back and hits it through mid-wicket. Seems all too easy now!

18:07 hrs IST: FOUR! Back of a length delivery from Lakmal, Dhawan steps out and hits it towards cover point region. Typical Dhawan!

18:02 hrs IST: Single off the last ball for Dhawan. India are 28/1 after 7 overs -- Dhawan 12*, Iyer 2*

17:58 hrs IST: FOUR! Tossed up from Dananjaya, Dhawan comes down the track and flicks it through mid-wicket. India are 26/1 after 6 overs.

17:54 hrs IST: Splendid over from Lakmal, just one run off it. India are 17/1 after 5 overs.

17:49 hrs IST: OUT! Dananjaya’s googly does the trick. Rohit looks to defend but misses and the ball crashes onto his stumps. Shreyas Iyer is the next man in.

17:47 hrs IST: SIX! Tossed up from Dananjaya, Rohit dances down the track and hammers it over long-on for a maximum.

17:45 hrs IST: FOUR! Touch short from Lakmal and Dhawan pulls it over mid-wicket for his first boundary. India are 8/0 after 3 overs.

17:41 hrs IST: Another good over from the visitors. India are 3/0 after 2 overs. Lakmal to continue.

17:37 hrs IST: Excellent line from Lakmal. India are 0/0 after first over. Akila Dananjaya comes into the attack.

17:34 hrs IST: Straightaway some shape for the Sri Lankan. He needs to get some early wickets or else, it’ll be the same old story.

17:33 hrs IST: Time for India’s chase. Suranga Lakmal to bowl the first over. Rohit Sharma to take strike.

16:50 hrs IST: OUT! And that’s it. Another below-par performance from Sri Lanka after a good start. Another splendid show from India spinners. 216 doesn’t seem that tough. A good start will do it for the hosts. We’ll back in a few minutes time.

16:45 hrs IST: Maiden over from Chahal, he finishes with figures of 3/46. Sri Lanka are 215/9 after 44 overs.

16:38 hrs IST: That’s great!

Kuldeep Yadav has taken 2 or more wickets in 8 of the 12 ODIs he bowled. Has gone wicket-less only twice. Sensational. #IndvSL

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) December 17, 2017

16:31 hrs IST: OUT! And one of the reasons why India are yet to lose a series this year -- their ability to bounce back from tough situations. Plus, their bench strength is too damn good. Pandya gets Lakmal. Sri Lanka 211/9.

16:27 hrs IST: WICKET! Akila Dananjaya goes, bowled around his legs. Kuldeep gets his third. Sri Lanka 210/8.

16:22 hrs IST: One of the biggest problems of Sri Lanka (this year) has been their inability to capitalise on good starts. Three whitewashes (vs South Africa, India and Pakistan). A lot needs to be corrected.

16:20 hrs IST: WICKET! First scalp for Pandya. From 159/2 to 208/7. This should be easy for India from here on.

16:15 hrs IST: He will hold the key to India’s chances in South Africa!

Yuzvendra Chahal looks a Proper leg spinner .... #INDvSL

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 17, 2017

16:11 hrs IST: Sri Lanka are 202/6 after 36 overs, Gunaratne 9*, Pathirana 5*

16:06 hrs IST: WICKET! India are on a role. Chahal strikes again, removes the Lankan skipper Perera.

15:57 hrs IST: OUT! And Chahal joins the party. Dangerman Mathews departs. A ripper from the leggie! Unplayable! Sri Lanka are 189/5. Thisara Perera comes in.

15:50 hrs IST: Dot ball to finish off from Bumrah. Sri Lanka are 187/4 after 33 overs. Time for another drinks break.

15:49 hrs IST: FOUR! Length delivery from Bumrah, Mathews charges down the track and slaps it past the bowler. He’s continuing from where he left in Mohali.

15:46 hrs IST: This is intelligent captaincy from Rohit Sharma. He knows he needs a wicket and has brought the right man into the attack - Jasprit Bumrah.

15:41 hrs IST: Indian bowlers have stem the run flow. Only eight off the last balls. Get a feeling a wicket is on the cards. Sri Lanka are 176/4 after 31 overs. Kuldeep to continue.

15:33 hrs IST: Great over from Pandya, only two runs off it. Sri Lanka are 170/4 after 29 overs.

15:30 hrs IST: Asela Gunaratne comes to the crease. Sri Lanka are 168/4 after 28 overs.

15:28 hrs IST: OUT! Kuldeep Yadav takes another one. Niroshan Dickwella is caught at first slip by Shreyas Iyer. And Sri Lanka’s progress has been halted.

15:24 hrs IST: WICKET! And India’s best bowler today, Kuldeep Yadav, has struck. Upul Tharanga misses his century by just five runs. MS Dhoni affects a good stumping. This was very tight! Niroshan Dickwella comes to the crease.

15:20 hrs IST: SIX! Another tossed up delivery from Chahal and Tharanga blasts it into deep mid-wicket stands. Superb! Moves to 94. Sri Lanka are 160/2 after 27 overs.

15:18 hrs IST: FOUR! Length ball from Pandya and Mathews lofts it over mid-off. Sri Lanka are 151/2 after 26 overs. Tharanga 87*, Mathews 5*

15:15 hrs IST: Upul Tharanga goes past 1000 ODI runs in 2017. Moves to 96. Sri Lanka are 145/2 after 25 overs.

15:12 hrs IST: SIX! Flighted delivery from Chahal, Tharanga makes a little bit of room and hammers it over long-on. What a shot!

15:05 hrs IST: WICKET! Chahal gives India a much-needed breakthrough. The leggie removes Sadeera, who looked set to get to a half-century. Angelo Mathews comes in at No. 4.

15:02 hrs IST: Meanwhile, England were battling to save the Ashes at 132/4 in their second innings when play was abandoned due to rain on the fourth day of the third Test in Perth. Needing to avoid defeat to stay alive, the tourists still trailed by 127 after Australia had declared their first innings at 662/9 in reply to England’s 403. Dawid Malan was on 28 and Jonny Bairstow on 14, with Josh Hazlewood claiming two wickets.

14:57 hrs IST: FOUR! Too straight from Chahal and Tharanga sweeps it to fine leg boundary. Sri Lanka are 129/1 after 21 overs.

14:54 hrs IST: Dinesh Karthik drops Sadeera Samarawickrama at short mid-wicket. How costly with that prove to be? Sri Lanka are 122/1 after 20 overs.

14:50 hrs IST: SIX! Tossed up from Chahal and Tharanga creams it over the bowler’s head for a maximum. This is insane stuff! Sri Lanka are 117/1 after 19 overs.

14:47 hrs IST: Sharp turn for Kuldeep. Get a feeling something is going to happen here. Sri Lanka are 103/1 after 18 overs. Tharanga 61*, Sadeera 28*

14:42 hrs IST: Good start from Chahal. India in desperate need of wickets. Sri Lanka are 100/1 after 17 overs. Time for drinks.

14:39 hrs IST: What a start this has been from Sri Lanka! Can they get past 350? Spin from both ends now. Chahal comes into the attack.

14:37 hrs IST: FOUR! Tossed up from Kuldeep, Sadeera dances down the track and hits it straight over the bowler’s head.

14:35 hrs IST: Wow!

Tharanga averages over 48 and SR over 91 in ODIs this year - both being his best, by far, in any year. #IndvSL

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) December 17, 2017

14:31 hrs IST: Tidy over from Kuldeep, only three runs off it. Sri Lanka are 84/1 after 14 overs, Tharanga 54*, Sadeera 16*. Bhuvi again.

14:28 hrs IST: Thirteen runs off the last three overs. Sri Lanka are 81/1. Kuldeep Yadav now.

14:25 hrs IST: FOUR! Short ball from Bhuvi and Sadeera pulls it well in the gap towards deep backward square leg boundary. Sri Lanka’s strategy for now - Attack, Attack, Attack!

14:22 hrs IST: Single and that’s fifty for Upul Tharanga, 36th in ODIs. The left-hander continues his good run in the series, having scored 49 in the first ODI in Dharamsala.

14:20 hrs IST: Dot ball to finish off from Pandya. Sri Lanka are 72/1 after 11 overs. Tharanga 49*, Sadeera 10*

14:17 hrs IST: FOUR! This is brilliant from Sadeera. Comes down the track, shuffles and hits it well towards backward square leg boundary.

14:13 hrs IST: Seven of Tharnaga’s last 10 scoring shots have been fours. Sri Lanka are 65/1 after 9 overs.

14:11 hrs IST: 4,4,4,4,4 -- Upul Tharanga spanks Hardik Pandya. Five consecutive boundaries from the Sri Lankan. Incredible! Can Sri Lanka maintain this show?

14:06 hrs IST: Excellent stuff from Bumrah. First maiden over of the innings. India need more tight overs from here. Pandya to continue.

14:02 hrs IST: FOUR! Tharanga is on fire! Width on offer from Pandya and the left-handed batsman cuts it behind point. Fifth boundary for him. Sri Lanka are 45/1 after 7 overs.

13:59 hrs IST: Another good over for the visitors, 11 runs off it. Four boundaries in the last two overs. Sri Lanka are 41/1. Hardik Pandya comes into the attack.

13:56 hrs IST: Consecutive boundaries for Tharanga. While the first one was over square leg, the former Sri Lanka skipper tucked the second one towards fine leg. Looks in top form!

13:53 hrs IST: Single off the last ball for Tharanga. Costly over from Bhuvi, 11 runs off it. Sri Lanka are 30/1 after 5 overs.

13:51 hrs IST: BOUNDARY! Length ball from Bhuvi and Tharanga lifts it over mid-on for one bounce four. Asking to be hit!

13:48 hrs IST: FOUR! Overpitched from Bumrah and Samarawickrama flicks it through mid-wicket to open his account. Sri Lanka are 19/1 after 4 overs.

13:46 hrs IST: OUT! Just the wicket India wanted. Jasprit Bumrah gets rid of Danushka Gunathilaka. Rohit Sharma completes an easy catch at mid-on. Sri Lanka 15/1, Sadeera Samarawickrama comes to the crease.

13:43 hrs IST: FOUR! Short delivery from Bhuvi, Gunathilaka steps out and smacks it over mid-wicket. As good as it gets! Sri Lanka are 14/0 after 3 overs.

13:40 hrs IST: Decent start from Bumrah, only four runs off it. Using his variations to perfection! Sri Lanka are 9/0 after 2 overs. Bhuvi to continue.

13:37 hrs IST: Average total batting first in Vizag is 279. Sri Lanka need to score at least 300 to make a match out of it.

13:35 hrs IST: Dot ball to finish off from Bhuvi. Sri Lanka are 5/0 after the first over. Jasprit Bumrah comes into the attack.

13:33 hrs IST: FOUR! Full and wide from Bhuvi and Gunathilaka cracks it through cover for his first boundary of the day. Needs to keep going.

13:32 hrs IST: ALMOST! Wicket seems to be the on the slower side. Gunathilaka gets an inside edge onto his pads. The visitors need to be patient.

13:30 hrs IST: And we’re underway. Gunathilaka to take strike. Bhuvneshwar to start the proceedings. Wicket on the first ball?

13:26 hrs IST: Time for the national anthems. Sri Lanka’s first and then the hosts.

13:20 hrs IST: Sri Lanka are yet to win an ODI series in India. Can they achieve it today?

13:10 hrs IST: So both teams make one change. Washington Sundar is sick, Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav replaces him. For the visitors, Lahiru Thirimanne is out, Sadeera Samarawickrama is in.

13:06 hrs IST: Here are the playing XI of both teams -

India: Rohit Sharma(c), Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, MS Dhoni(wk), Hardik Pandya, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal

Sri Lanka: Danushka Gunathilaka, Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Niroshan Dickwella(wk), Asela Gunaratne, Thisara Perera(c), Sachith Pathirana, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep

13:01 hrs IST: India have won the toss and have opted to bowl.

12:55 hrs IST: Toss in a short while!

12:46 hrs IST: It’s India last ODI of 2017. Has been a good year for Virat Kohli’s men (and Rohit Sharma’s too). They haven’t lost a series and even reached the ICC Champions Trophy final. Can they continue their winning streak?

12:40 hrs IST: Hello and welcome to HT’s live coverage of the third and final ODI between India and Sri Lanka.

Rohit Sharma led the fightback for India in Mohali with a record third double century in ODIs after the team had been outplayed in Dharamsala.

The top-order’s performance could prove crucial for the home team in the decider. The bowling department, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, has done its part so far and would aim to continue the good work on what is likely to be a batsman-friendly wicket, going by the records.

Sri Lanka Lanka would back themselves and hope senior players Angelo Mathews and Upul Tharanga play their roles to perfection. Thisara Perera needs to step up with both bat and ball. The bowers, on the other hand, would look to recover quickly from their horror show in the second ODI.