IND vs SL: Dominant India annihilates Sri Lanka in dead rubber ODI
A dominant team India crushed Sri Lanka to record the Biggest ODI victory in the history of the game. Virat Kohli (166*), Shubman Gill (116) and Mohammed Siraj (4/32) starred in India's big 317-run win over Sri Lanka in the third and final ODI in Thiruvananthapuram to clinch the series 3-0.
Gill, Kohli smash tons to propel India to a mammoth total
Kohli smashed his 46th ODI ton. (PC- Associated Press)
Team India got off to a flying start after electing to bat first at the Greenfield International Stadium as Sri Lanka bowlers failed to contain the Indian batters for the second time in the ongoing three-match series. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill added 95 runs for the first wicket to set up a brilliant platform before Rohit perished for 42. Kohli came to bat at number 3 when the team was in a strong position at 95/1 after 15 overs.
Gill then forged a 131-run second-wicket partnership alongside former India captain Virat Kohli to propel the team into a commanding position. Had it not been for Gill playing a forced shot in the 34th over, he could’ve easily registered a career-best score.
Gill, who stepped out to play a big shot, ended up missing the ball completely primarily due to a low bounce on a slower ball.
As a result, walked back to the pavilion after scoring 116 (97) with the help of 14 fours and two sixes. Shreyas Iyer chipped in with 38 (32) to take India to a gigantic total of 390/5 in 50 overs. Kohli top scored for the Men in Blue with a stroke-filled 166*(110).
For Sri Lanka, there wasn't much to celebrate for the bowlers. Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara bagged a couple of wickets each but their economy rate was troublesome. In the 43rd over, Sri Lanka lost two of their players- Ashen Bandara and spinner Jeffrey Vandersay when the two tried their best to stop the ball but were unsuccessful in doing so. Bandara and Vandersay were both stretchered off the ground and that added salt to the wounds.
Siraj dismantles Sri Lanka in Powerplay
Siraj was the pick of the Indian bowlers. [PC- Associated Press]
Set a humongous total of 390, the Sri Lankan batters had a huge task in their hands but the Indian bowlers had some others plans.
Continuing his rich vein of form with the ball, Siraj continued his purple patch in ODI cricket and gave India a massive lead with the ball as he struck in the second over of the innings, dismissing Sri Lankan opener Avishka Fernando to draw first blood for the Men in Blue.
In his second over, Siraj bowled a peach to dismiss Sri Lanka's number 3 Kusal Mendis. Siraj cleaned up Nuwanidu Fernando and Wanindu Hasaranga to almost write off Sri Lanka in the chase.
The Hyderabad pacer triggered a dramatic collapse with four wickets in a spell, after Sri Lanka lost their first wicket on seven runs on the board. Chamika Karunaratne became the fifth victim as he was run out by Siraj. The Lankan Lions were reduced to 39/6 within 12 overs.
The right-arm seamer finished with brilliant match figures of 4/32 in his ten overs. He dismissed Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Nuwanidu Fernando, and Wanindu Hasaranga. Mohammad Shami (2/20) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/16) played the supporting role to bowl out the tourists for 73 in 22 overs. India won the third ODI by 317 runs to clean-sweep the three-match series (3-0).
Brief Scores
India: 390/5
Virat Kohli 166* (110), Shubman Gill 116 (97)/
Kasun Rajitha 2/81, Lahiru Kumara 2/87
Sri Lanka: 73/10
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