Slow Dhoni and India docked match fees

"ICC match referee, Jeff Crowe, has imposed an immediate two-match suspension on Mahendra Singh Dhoni for slow over-rate after conducting a hearing last night," the BCCI said. "The Indian players have been penalised 40 per cent of their match fees. Virender Sehwag will lead the Indian team in the next two ODIs." As well as the Cuttack match, the wicket-keeper will miss the fourth one-day game against Sri Lanka on Thursday, but will be available for the final match of the series in Delhi on December 27.

Dinesh Karthik will deputise behind the stumps for Dhoni, while paceman Ishant Sharma comes in for Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, who missed the first two games after contracting swine flu. Sri Lanka have also been forced to make changes to their squad with Angelo Mathews returning home after suffered a thigh injury during his match-winning knock of 37 not out in Nagpur. Wayamba all-rounder Thissara Perera has been called up as cover for Mathews.

While it was Mathews who ultimately won the game for Sri Lanka it was The Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara was thrilled with his team's performance against India and hopes to build on it further tomorrow. It's a great effort and I'm very proud of the team's performance," he said. "I just want them to keep enjoying themselves and trying to win. "If they guys can keep improving, working hard and fighting as a unit we can continue to do well."

sports@thenational.ae