3rd ODI: Virat’s century helps India to a world record victory

Team India secured a massive victory of 317 runs against Sri Lanka in the third and final ODI match at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, and let’s just say Sri Lanka was left feeling like they got schooled by the Indian team.

The Indian squad dominated the game thanks to the efforts of Mohammed Siraj and Virat Kohli, who respectively took 4 wickets and scored an unbeaten 166 runs.

This win sealed the series 3-0 in favor of Team India, and also marked the biggest victory by any team in the 50-over format, surpassing New Zealand’s previous record of 290 runs against Ireland.

The Indian opening partnership of Rohit Sharma and Gill gave India the quick start they needed before Kohli took over and dominated the innings like a boss.

Gill had a solid performance, scoring 116 runs, but ultimately it was Kohli’s 166 runs that sealed the deal for India.

Kohli’s unbeaten 166 came off 110 balls, as he more than doubled his score in the last 10 overs and smashed 84 off the last 34 balls he faced without much contribution from the other end.

Kohli’s century was his 46th and his 10th against Sri Lanka, the most any batter has scored against a single opposition. It’s like he’s got Sri Lanka’s number and he’s not afraid to dial it.

The Sri Lankan team had a steep hill to climb in order to catch up to India’s 390/5 score, but unfortunately for them, they couldn’t keep up with the Indian bowlers.

Siraj, Shami, and Kuldeep Yadav all had strong performances, with Siraj taking 4 wickets and the other two taking 2 each. Sri Lanka was ultimately dismissed for just 73 runs.

Overall, the match was a showcase of India’s dominance and Sri Lanka’s struggles.

India’s bowlers were relentless and their batsmen, led by Kohli, were unstoppable.

This match was a clear illustration of the gap between the two teams and it was an one-sided game.

The winning captain Rohit Sharma had this to say after the match.

“It was a great series for us. Lots of positives. We bowled well, got wickets when we needed and the batters throughout the series piling on the runs was good to watch.

“Good to see how he (Siraj) was bowling and he deserved all those slips. He is a rare talent, the way he has come up over the last few years is good to see. He has come from strength to strength and that’s really good for Indian cricket.”

“We tried all sort of things (to get his fifer) but it didn’t happen unfortunately. But the four wickets are all his and fifers will come. He has a few tricks up his sleeves which he is working on and it’s there to see.”

“We’ll get to the drawing board quickly (for the next series) and see how the pitch is, then decide how the combinations will be. They (NZ) are coming off a series win in Pakistan, so it won’t be an easy task at all.””

Brief scores:

India: 390/5 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 166 not out, Shubman Gill 116; Kasun Rajitha 2/81).
Sri Lanka 73 all out in 22 overs ( Nuwanidu Fernando 19 ; Mohammed Siraj 4/32 )