Sri Lanka under the cosh

Sri Lanka were two frontline batsmen down inside the first five overs of the Champions Trophy semi-final against India at the Cardiff Wales Stadium.

The Sri Lankans' hopes of revenge for their World Cup final defeat against India two years ago, and the prospect of a showdown with England in Birmingham this weekend, were hindered first of all when they were put in under heavy cloud cover after a rain-delayed start.

But they then lost opener Kusal Perera cheaply, caught at second slip trying to drive at Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and worse was to follow when Tillakaratne Dilshan injured himself and had to go off. It was therefore perhaps an acceptable response to their miserable start that they managed to limp to a paltry 36 for one after 15 overs.

Dilshan, who had already hit Umesh Yadav for two fours in the over, toppled over as he drove some inswing wide of mid-on for two more runs.

By the time he made it back to the striker's end, it was clear the dangerous opener had hurt his lower right leg quite badly.

He tried to carry on but had to leave the field an over later, with current International Cricket Council playing conditions outlawing the use of runners for injured batsmen.

It appeared highly unlikely Dilshan would be able to return.

Kumar Sangakkara was joined by Lahiru Thirimanne and the pair did well to negotiate the next 10 overs together, but struggled to muster any run-rate momentum as the ball jagged around for India's seamers.