By Rex Clementine. Colombo, Sri Lanka, 01:31 PM IST

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni raised the tri-colour as the Indian cricketers, now on a tour to Sri Lanka, celebrated the nation's 62nd independence Day here Friday.

The cricketers joined the Independence Day celebrations ahead of their one-day warm up game against Sri Lanka Invitation XI at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium,

Dhoni recalled the sacrifices made by the people during the freedom struggle.

'While joining the independence celebrations with the people of India, we also remember all those who made sacrifices during the freedom struggles,' Dhoni said during the function held at the same venue that hosted the third and final Test Match between Sri Lanka and India earlier this week.

India gained independence from the British on this day in 1947.

By Rex Clementine (Staff Writer, © IANS)