Rohit Sharma slammed his third ODI double-century as India defeated Sri Lanka by 141 runs and leveled the series 1-1 in the second ODI match played in Mohali.
Chasing a mammoth 393 to win, in-form left-hander Upul Tharanga was caught at extra cover for 7 runs of the bowling of Hardik Pandya to make things worse for the visitors. His opening partner Dhanushka Gunathilaka failed again as he edged one down the legside for a shaky 16 of a Jusprit Bumrah delivery.
Thirimanne looked good for 21 but played an atrocious shot to get bowled by the debutant, 18-year old off-spinner, Washinton Sundar giving him his first ODI wicket.
Wicket-keeper batsman Dickwella tried all his shots to effect but unfortunately a mistimed square cut went to the fielder as he departed for a promising 20-ball 22 to give the upper-hand to the Indians.
Right-hander Asela Gunarathne joined the set batsman Mathews as they built a solid 5th wicket partnership to give some respect to the Lankan score. However, leg-spinner Chahal picked Asela for 34 and Thisara for 5 to destroy Lankan hopes of a victory.
The visitors were down and out after the Sharma double ton in the 1st session as the game ended in favour of the hosts. Angelo Mathews was the only batsman who went on to make an impact scoring his second ODI ton as Sri Lanka got restricted for a disappointing 251 for 8 in 50 overs to give the Indians a 141-run victory.
Stand-in Indian captain Sharma, became the first cricketer to register three double tons, no other batsman has scored more than one. Sharma needed 115 balls for his century and only 36 balls for the next 100 runs.
With 116 runs to his name, Sharma had hit only one six but ended up with 12 sixes to remain unbeaten on 208 in 153 balls as the hosts smashed 147 runs in the final 10 overs to post the highest score in Mohali.
On a pitch which had no assistance whatsoever for the bowlers, Shikhar Dhawan made a massive statement as soon as he drove Lakmal’s first ball through mid-off to the boundary. Despite a strong start by the Indian openers, the home team scored only 33 runs from the first powerplay.
The boundaries were short yet the Lankan bowlers failed miserably to break through the Indian top order. Dhawan maneuvered the field excellently to reach his half-century off 47 balls while Sharma played second fiddle until he went past his ton.
Left-arm spinner Sachith Pathirana experienced success in only his 2nd over when Dhawan came down the track and punched straight to short mid-wicket as the 115-run opening stand came to an end.
One drop batsman Shreyas Iyer, playing his second ODI accompanied Sharma for the 2nd wicket adding 213 runs before becoming Thisara Perera’s first victim. He ended up dismissing MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya as well but conceded 80 runs at 10 runs per over.
Fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep got an unflattering record to his name, with figures of 10-0-106 conceding the most runs for Sri Lanka in an ODI match, a record previously held by Muttiah Muralitharan who had conceded 99 runs.
