It was a repeat of what happened yesterday in the replayed final of the ICC Champions Trophy at the Premadasa stadium in Colombo on Monday. Only this time however the rain-gods were a little more lenient in allowing 8.4 overs as to only the two overs faced by the Indian batsmen last evening as both India and Sri Lanka were jointly awarded the cup and the prize money of US$ 300,000 split equally among them.

Chasing just 223, Dinesh Mongia (0) was the only casualty in the Indian batting while Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar were unbeaten on a sparkling 25 and 7 respectively, taking the visitors to 38 for 1 before the heavens opened to put a wet end to the 18-day cricketing extravaganza in the Emerald Isles.

Earlier, a century partnership (118) for the fourth wicket between Mahela Jayawardene (77, 99b, 6x4) and Russell Arnold (56, 101b, 3x4) took Sri Lanka to a fighting 222 for 7.

After the wash-out of the final yesterday, it was the same story with the spin of the coin as the Lankans once again opted to bat first. This time however the Indians had a dream start. Zaheer Khan got dangerman Sanath Jayasuiya off the first ball of the match to set the cat among the pigeons.

They were soon in further trouble with Ajit Agarkar accounting for Marvan Atapattu who is quite capable of playing the sheet-anchor's role to perfection. Aravinda de Silva treated the crowd to some wonderful strokes including smashing Agarkar for five fours in an over.

De Silva (27, 24b, 6x4), going for another expansive stroke fell to leg-spinner Anil Kumble who was drafted in place of paceman Javagal Srinath for this match.

Kumar Sangakkara was once again shaping up quite well before an overambitious call by striker Mahela Jayawardene resulted in the Sri Lankan wicket-keeper/batsman's dismissal.

At 71 for 4, things looked very murky for the hosts before the elegant Jayawardene and the hardworking Arnold put the Lankans in with a reasonable shot at the trophy.

Zaheer Khan was once again the pick of the Indian bowlers bagging 3 for 44 while all the Indian spinners used were once again quite effective with Harbhajan Singh(1 for 34) leading the way.