Virat Kohli, Image Credit : Twitter
Ind Vs SL 1st ODI, Sri Lanka won the toss and choose to field first but the decision proved wrong from the first over. After successful series against Bangladesh, cricket lovers were expecting Ishan Kishan to open with skipper Rohit Sharma. Yesterday evening he settled down the speculations by announcing that Shubhaman Gill will be the other opener with him.
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Rohit Sharma’s Innings
Indian batsman were in the driving seat from beginning. Opener and skipper Rohit Sharma 83 (67 balls, 4X9, 6X3) and Shubhman Gill 70 (60 balls, 4X11) started the inning well. At the score of 143 run Gill was dismissed by Dasun Shanaka. Virat Kohli then join the skipper and again shown his calmness but at the score of 173 runs, skipper got played on by Dilshan Madhushanka.
Virat Kohli’s Innings
While the openers started the inning in best possible way. The star of the Indian innings once again was Virat Kohli 113 (87 balls, 4X13, 6X1), he once again proved that he is not only capable of hitting bight shots but also can rotate the strike efficiently. He Scored his fifty in just 47 deliveries with just 3 Boundaries and 1 Six. He took the innings forward in most professional way and completed his century in just 80 deliveries. It’s his 45th in ODIs and 73rd in international career. It was also second ton in a row. he made the same score of 113 (91 balls, 4X11, 6X2) runs in the last ODI against Bangladesh on 9th Dec. he once again showed why 34 year old Virat Kohli best batsman in business,
He talked about his century and fitness to the TV presenter.
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He got the good support from Shreyas Iyer 28 (24 balls, 4X3, 6X1) and KL Rahul 39 (29 balls, 4X4, 6X1). he added 40 runs with Iyer and established a partnership of 90 runs with Rahul. Although the tailenders could have done better but still Indian put a mammoth score of 373 runs on the board.
Sri Lankan batsman on the other hand started in pressure and that was visible in their innings also. Mohammad Siraj took couple of early wickets and never let them settle on the crease. At the end of powerplay, SL score was 38/2. Pathum Nissanka 72 (80 balls, 4X11) tried to give a tough fight but his only support was Dhananjaya De Silva 47 (40 balls, 4X9). They both tried to escalate the innings quickly and added quick 50 runs in just 45 balls but at the score of 136/3 runs, De Silva dismissed by Mohammad Shami. His dismissal was controversial as in Ultra-Edge no contact with bat was shown but after umpire’s decision did’t take review and walked towards the pavilion.
Dasun Shanaka’s Innings
Dasun Shanaka once again showed his love for Indian pitches and tried to put some fight. He started slow but switched the gear after he reached to the 30s. He competed his fifty in just 50 deliveries with 4X5 and 6X1. He picked speed-star Umran Malik and score 25 runs in his third spell of 2 overs. Dasun Shanaka along with Kasun Rajitha added quick 50 runs in just 35 deliveries, Rajitha contributed only 4 runs in it.
Another interesting moment was, Shanaka was on 95* in the last over and he was avoiding the singles. Rohit Sharma was not in mood to give him his second century this easily so he called for a close field. But on the second last delivery he hit a boundary and scored his ton. On the last ball hit hit for a huge six and reach to his career best of 108* runs (88 balls, 4X12, 6X3). He established a record 100 run partnership in just 73 balls with Rajitha (contributed only 12 runs) for 9th Wicket. India finally won this match by 67 runs.
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