INDvSL ODI Report: Kohli, Rohit shine in India’s mammoth win

INDvSL ODI Report: Kohli, Rohit shine in India’s mammoth win

By Mumbai Indians

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Team India made a big stride in their preparations for the ODI World Cup this year. Courtesy of Virat Kohli’s dazzling ton, Ro-hitman Sharma’s spectacular comeback and Umran Malik’s fiery spell, India beat Sri Lanka by 67 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. The lone saving grace for the Lankans was their skipper, Dasun Shanaka’s fighting century right at the close of the 50th over.

Hitman, Gill off to a flier

Sri Lanka won the toss and put India to bat first. With a flat pitch and a quick outfield, the stage was set early for the Indian openers, Rohit and Gill. And they obliged, in style!

Shubman Gill brought out his exquisite range offside play, while the Hitman played his signature blend of ‘demoralizing the bowlers’ shots. Madushanka might have nightmares about Gill's cuts tonight. The same with Rajitha about Rohit's pulls. The partnership progressed at quite a rapid pace. India crossed the 100-run mark in only the 15th over. After a couple more classy Ro-hits, the Indian captain was also dismissed for 83. Argh! We were all waiting to celebrate his ton, weren’t we?

Kohli, Kohli, Kohli. The King reigns, again!

Another ‘Virat’ performance from the almighty king. All hail Kohli!

He formed crucial partnerships with Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, helping the Indian team maintain the early momentum set by the Hitman. While the spinners dominated around the 30th over, the King showcased impressive patience to score his fifty. He teed off towards the end of the second powerplay.

While many batters go at it hard at the death, Kohli continued batting in his benign yet aggressive style, piling on the runs. Kohli raised the roof at Guwahati, stroking a single to long-off, scoring back-to-back ODI hundreds. What an innings, what a player! He continued peppering the bowlers for runs in the final four overs.

India finished with 373/7. Another great run-fest.

Pacers rattle Lankans early

After the lineups were announced, every Indian fan kept a keen eye on the pace bowling trio - Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Umran Malik. While needing early wickets to defend the total on a high-scoring ground, they delivered. Shami's swing and Siraj's nip made it a hostile beginning for the Lankans in the run chase. And it was Siraj who provided the breakthrough! He picked up the wicket of Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis in consecutive overs.

Dew was expected to play a part, but instead our bowlers made the Lankan batters sweat at the start tonight!

The Malik Show

Umran Malik was introduced after the first powerplay, impressing straightaway with his sheer pace. It did not take him long to nick Charith Asalanka off to the keeper. The Jammu Express successfully set the pace fever at Guwahati under the lights. Malik dismissed the well-set Pathum Nissanka in his second spell. He further added Dunith Wellalage to his wicket list for a golden duck.

Stat attack: Umran notched up 156 kmph today. The fastest ball by an Indian bowler! Ever. Wow. That’s something!

Meanwhile, Dasun Shanaka continued his good run with the bat against India, smashing an unbeaten 108 off 88 balls, including 12 fours and three monstrous sixes. His incredible strokeplay saw him tonk acers and spinners alike. If supported by other batters, we could have very well had a game on our hands. A captain’s knock! 

Still, it was not enough as an impressive bowling performance from the pace battery sealed the victory in the series-opener for India.

Brief scores: India 373/7 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 113, Kasun Rajitha 3/88) beat Sri Lanka 306/8 in 50 overs (Dasun Shanaka 108*, Umran Malik 3/57) by 67 runs.