India in finals by defeating Srilanka in ICC Champions Trophy

India outplayed Sri Lanka in all departments of the game on Thursday to advance to the final of the ICC Champions Trophy against hosts England.

After restricting Sri Lanka to 181 for eight from their 50 overs under the floodlights on a gloomy Cardiff day, India eased to an eight-wicket victory with 15 overs to spare.

The final will be staged at Edgbaston in Birmingham this Sunday.

Shikhar Dhawan, the tournament's top scorer before Thursday's semi-final with 264 runs including two centuries, cut loose again when India set off in pursuit of their modest target.

Dhawan, who recorded the fastest test century by a debutant playing against Australia this year, passed 50 for the third time in the tournament off 73 balls with six fours and a six.



He survived three dropped catches to reach 68 when he was stumped by Kumar Sangakkara off leg-spinner Jeevan Mendis with victory already assured.