Walking in at an especially comfy 143 for 1 on Tuesday, Virat Kohli scored his forty fifth century within the ODIs. Not to take something away from him, however pedestrian could be a praise for this Sri Lankan bowling assault. If Sri Lankan bowlers have been in every single place, the fielding was equally dangerous. Kohli was dropped twice — on 52 and 81, and Kasun Rajitha was the unfortunate bowler each the time.
Dasun Shanaka’s group regarded under par in all departments as they received outplayed by 67 runs by a powerful Indian group. Chasing a mammoth 374 on an excellent batting pitch, Sri Lanka ended with 306 for 8. The margin regarded lesser as a result of, in direction of the top, Indian bowlers did not wrap up the tail and Sri Lankan captain Shanaka (108 not out off 88b; 12×4, 3×6) made probably the most of it. He scored his second ODI century and placed on an unbeaten 100-run stand with Kasun Rajitha for the ninth wicket.
For his stupendous knock of 113 off 87 deliveries, @imVkohli is adjudged Player of the Match as #GroupIndia beat Sri Lanka by 67 runs.
Scorecard – https://t.co/MB6gfx9iRy #INDvSL @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/ecI40guZuB
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 10, 2023
Flying begin by the openers
After being put into bat, Indian openers Rohit Sharma (83 off 67b; 9×4, 3×6) and Shubman Gill (70 off 60b; 11×4) placed on 143 runs for the opening wicket. At the top of the powerplay, India was 75 with out shedding any sweat. They confirmed intent proper from the phrase go and the poor bowling from Sri Lanka additionally helped their case. Rohit checked out ease and was at his attacking finest. At the opposite finish, his younger accomplice matched him stroke for stroke. Given the relative ease with which they scored, it’s protected to say each Rohit and Gill missed out on scoring a century. Gill was given lbw after enjoying throughout the road off Shanaka’s bowling. Debutant Madushanka cleaned up Rohit to get his maiden ODI wicket.
Kohli rises to the event
With the openers failing to transform their begins on the different finish, Kohli stored one aspect intact. It was a typical Kohli knock, who walked in and performed the sheet anchor’s position to its perfection. He reached his first fifty in 52 balls. The subsequent fifty got here in simply 38 balls, earlier than he was dismissed within the forty ninth over, when he was attempting to up the ante and Kusan Mendis, who had dropped a regulation catch earlier, grabbed a skier and Rajitha lastly had his man.
That’s that from the first ODI.#GroupIndia win by 67 runs and take a 1-0 lead within the collection.
Scorecard – https://t.co/262rcUdafb #INDvSL @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/KVRiLOf2uf
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 10, 2023
It was not Kohli’s most dominating knock however he confirmed indicators of returning to his finest in his favorite format. Be it his flick whereas working down the crease towards the mild tempo of Shanaka or coming skipping down the wicket and hitting leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga for a flat six over mid-wicket or for that matter the ferocious ramp shot towards Rajitha, Kohli was at his standard parts. His knock should be a lovely signal for head coach Rahul Dravid and Rohit as Kohli is starting to indicate consistency within the format, particularly with the 50-over World Cup scheduled for later this yr.
It was Kohli’s second back-to-back century within the ODIs. Earlier, Kohli ended his ODI century drought throughout India’s tour of Bangladesh. India’s No 3 had remained century-less for 1214 days. Kohli reached one other ODI milestone, equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s document of 20 ODI tons at residence. While Tendulkar reached the landmark in 164 matches, Kohli has taken solely 101 video games. Kohli additionally surpassed Tendulkar’s document of most centuries towards Sri Lanka in ODIs. Tendulkar has eight to his credit score, whereas Kohli has 9 now.
Cameos from Iyer and Rahul
Apart from Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (28 off 24b; 3×4, 1×6) regarded fluent however did not convert his begin. Underfire KL Rahul (39 off 19b; 4×4, 1×6)) additionally couldn’t make it massive and was bowled across the legs after being deceived by a slower one from Rajitha.
After 40 overs, India have been 294 for 3 and have been trying set to the touch the 400-run mark. India lacked the completion within the final ten overs as they solely managed to get 79 runs and misplaced 4 wickets.
For Sri Lanka, Rajitha (3/88) was the decide of the bowlers.
Impressive from tempo battery
And if Sri Lanka, whose physique language within the subject was curiously devoid of vitality or intent, have been hoping for a respite with the bat, it wasn’t to be as India’s tempo trio of Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Umran Malik bowled with hearth and tempo.
In his opening spell, Siraj landed a double blow on the guests by eradicating Avishka Fernando (5) and Kusal Mendis (0). Umran then strangled Charitha Asalanka (23) down the leg aspect.
Pathum Nissanka (72) and Dhananjaya de Silva (47) placed on a fast 72-run stand for the fourth wicket, however their preventing alliance was damaged by Shami, who drew the sting, and Rahul grabbed a regulation catch. The further tempo of Umran ended Nissanka’s valiant knock. As quickly as he noticed the quick ball, Nissanka went for the pull, however the tempo hurried him and he ended up giving a straightforward catch to Axar Patel at mid-wicket.
3⃣rd wicket for @umran_malik_01! 👏 👏
Sri Lanka 7⃣ down.
Follow the match 👉 https://t.co/262rcUdafb#TeamIndia | #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/oBu3LHCznL
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 10, 2023
Next in, Hasaranga took on fellow leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. He smoked two sixes over the deep mid-wicket area then adopted it with a lovely inside-out shot over the covers. His adventurous keep got here to an finish as his wild hoick was caught by Iyer.
Meanwhile, Umran was not carried out but. Dunith Wellalage departed with out troubling the scorers. He was additionally carried out by the additional tempo and Gill took an excellent sharp catch on the first slip. Vice-captain Hardik Pandya joined the act as Chamika Karunarathne charged down the observe and ended up driving it straight to Rohit Sharma, patrolling at mid-on.
Captain @ImRo45 explains why he withdrew the run-out attraction at non striker’s finish involving Dasun Shanaka.#INDvSL @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/ALMUUhYPE1
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 10, 2023
Rohit withdraws run-out attraction
There was somewhat drama within the fiftieth over of the match. In the third ball of the over, Shami ran Shanaka out on the non-striker’s finish. He appealed for the run-out. Nitin Menon went for the TV umpire whilst Shanaka regarded in complete shock. However, the attraction was withdrawn after Rohit had a phrase with the bowler.
Brief scores: India 373/7 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 113, Rohit Sharma 80, Shubman Gill 70; Kasun Rajitha 3/83) bt Sri Lanka 306 for 8 in 50 overs (Dasun Shanaka 108; Umran Malik 3/57, Mohammes Siraj 2/30) by 67 runs.