India’s top deal came to the party in their ODI opener against Sri Lanka in Guwahati on Tuesday (10 January) as the hosts placed a commanding 373 on the board. His Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill in the opener laid ideal ground with his 143-run winning streak before Virat Kohli brought in his 45th ODI century, with the Sri Lankan bowlers in excellent batting conditions. was placed under the pump.
India got off to a dream start with a power play. Rohit started off the floor with a smooth drive and Gill showed his intentions by scoring a cut-through point in the second over. Rohit in his 3rd over he faced Kasun Rajitha, Gill Dilshan thrashed Madhushanka in the next over and India had just 4 overs before he raced to 35. The frontier rush continued as Rohit played Rajitha and hit two sixes in one over while India put 75 on the board bottom of the 10 over mark.
Both Rohit and Gill survived his lbw call and raised their respective half-centuries. Sri Lanka desperately needed a breakthrough to gain control as the Century Stand ended with his 15th over. However, Gill outdid his Dunith Wellalage and took three consecutive boundaries, with Rohit finishing it with a six on the floor. Dasun Shanaka then took it upon himself to end his stand when he caught pre-wicket Gill for 70, much to Sri Lanka’s relief. Kohli then made quick action, racing just 12 to 18, but Sri Lanka attacked again, this time denying Rohit for 100 when Indian skipper Madhushanka pushed stumps on the inside edge. Did. Despite losing the opening match, India managed to keep his run rate from dropping as players like Shreyas Ayer and his KL Rahul showed enthusiasm and made valuable contributions. Iyer saw Wanindu look dangerous as he beat Hasaranga with his 6, but an ill-timed sweep from Dhananjaya de Silva sent him off for his 28.
A full throw from Wellalage helped Rahul find his touch after batting 12-8. The two batsmen each hit a six in front of Dhanan Jaya, but Sri Lanka would be ready for the next over if Ksar Mendis was able to maintain a regular catch behind the wicket when Lajtha found Kohli’s outer rim. could have easily stemmed the flow of the run. Sri Lanka had to pay immediately when three borders sued to rub salt into the wound.
At the end of the 40th round, India already had 294 on the board. That magic number 400 was definitely in sight, followed by Hardik Pandya and his Axar Patel. However, a late ball from near Lajisa’s wicket broke Rahul’s stay as the bowler hit a foot stump and Hardik failed to fire, leaving just 14.
These two wickets of his came at a crucial time, but Sri Lanka would have more if Shanaka held the catch with extra cover when Kohli was granted his second reprieve. damage. He counted it up and made his ODI in consecutive triple digits before dropping to 113. India’s long tail meant they were unrestricted in the last two overs and could have been close to 400, but still assume a 1–0 lead.
Brief scores: India 373/7 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 113, Rohit Sharma 83, Shubman Gill 70; Kasun Rajitha 3/88) vs Sri Lanka