Team India’s spectacular days continue as the host successfully defeated the Sri Lankan side with an emphatic series win at the third ODI held at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. The excitement within the crowd was high as they expected the fate of the match early and hoped for India’s series win. Since the match was played on Sunday, It was nearly a jam-packed stadium.
Virat Kohli
Chasing a mere target of 242 only, Lankans never seemed to be challenging the formidable Indian batting order anytime in the match. Although, Ajinkya Rahane departed after scoring 31 in 47 balls, but Dhawan was adamant to put India on Shikhar (top). The Dhawan’s blitzkrieg was not only the third consecutive smashing inning by the dashing left handed opener, but looked close to complete his seventh century before he unfortunately got out at 91.
Shikhar Dhawan’s splendid knock came from 79 balls with eight boundaries and a magnificent six. When Dhawan was departed, India needed only 42 runs to win. Until then, Dhawan already set the tone put India on a comfortable position. Both Rayadu and the Indian skipper Virat Kohli played their part well and supported the left handed Opener well. Indian batsmen didn’t give any chance to Mathews and team Lanka to pose any threat to India at any stage of the match.
Rayadu was run out after scoring 35 and Virat Kohli scored 53. Kohli’s knock also helped him to create a world record for scoring the fastest 6000 runs in the history of the game of the cricket. The stylish right-hander took just 136 innings to achieve the feat.
This victory brought India to an emphatic 5 ODI match series win against the Lanka with an unassailable lead of 3-0. Indian batsmen scored at their ease and were unperturbed by the Lankan Bowling attack.
Sri Lanka went to bat once again after winning the toss, but Indian fast bowler Umesh Yadav’s excellent bowling spell of 9-0-53-4 completely shattered the dream of visitors. He was successful in dismissing the opener Kusal Perera, experienced Kumar Sangakkara, Thissara Perera and Seekkuge Prasanna. Ishant Sharma also complemented him well with an astonishing spell of 4-1-14-0.
Mahela Jayawerdene scored his 17th century and scored a well crafted 118 from 124 deliveries with twelve magnificent boundaries and a six too. The veteran stood tall, while the rest of the Sri Lankan batting order collapsed. Opener T.Dilshan scored a patient knock of 53 with 80 balls before getting out to a part time Indian bowler Ambati Rayadu. Somehow Sri Lanka were able to reach a respectable score and consequently put 242 runs on board.
Jayawerdene also completed his 12000 runs in the same match. He is only the fifth cricketer in the world to achieve this rare feat. The Man-of-the-match award was given to him for attaining highest individual score in the match.
Tags: Cricket, Hyderabad, India, ODI Series, Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Shikhar Dhawan, Sri Lanka, Virat Kohli
