Impressive India's passage to ICC Champions Trophy 2013 Final

Semi-final 2: India vs Sri Lanka

Result: India won by 8 wickets

Flawless. Dominant. Impeccable. India produced that kind of a display that would delight coaches. Bowling first on a helpful pitch, India’s callow pace-attack tore open the portal to the glorious summer of 1983, when Kapil Dev and his swing battery ruled the roost in similar English conditions. The accurate Bhuvneshvar Kumar and the bustling Umesh Yadav softened the prey before Ishant Sharma’s steep bounce made the incisions. The doughty 78 run stand between Mahela Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews was the lone bright spot in Sri Lanka’s horrendous batting effort of 181.

India’s batting petered out in a familiar manner with the consistency personified Dhawan (68*) leading the charge. Virat Kohli, who comprehends the Lankan attack very well, also scored an equally vintage fifty to mop up the chase as India stormed into the final.

India were the first team to book the semi-finals ticket and will be the red-hot favorites in the grand final too, and rightly so.