India rode on batting maestro Virat Kohli’s 73rd international hundred to beat Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the first ODI and take 1-0 lead in the three-match series here on Tuesday. Kohli’s 113 off 87 balls set up India’s big total of 373 for 7 after the home team was invited to bat. Skipper Rohit Sharma slammed 83 off 67 balls while Shubman Gill made a 60-ball 70.
In response to the massive target of 373 given by India, the Sri Lankan team could reach 308 runs after losing 8 wickets in 50 overs.
India’s star batsman Virat Kohli completed his 73rd international century and 45th ODI century. The player is very close to Sachin Tendulkar’s maximum hundreds in the ODI record. Kohli smashed the Sri Lankan bowlers and made a whopping 113 runs off 87 balls.
Skipper Rohit Sharma also gave a good start to the team as he played a fantastic knock of 83 runs off 67 balls. He was fully supported by the young opener Shubhman Gill, who scored 70 runs off 60 balls. The opening partnership of the Indian side was of massive 143 runs.
The Sri Lankan team fought bravely against the high score and the Skipper Dasun Shanaka remained unbeaten at 108 while opener Pathum Nissanka also played a beautiful knock of 72 runs, but the overall performance of the team was not enough to win the big game.
The excellent Indian bowling took two early wickets and the Sri Lankans were 23 for 2 the next wicket also came soon at 64.
Umran Malik (3/57) and Mohammed Siraj (2/30) shared five wickets between them as India restricted Sri Lanka to 306 for 8 in 50 overs.
Captain Dasun Shanaka (108 not out) top-scored for Sri Lanka while Pathum Nissanka contributed 72.
Brief Scores:
India: 373/7 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 113, Rohit Sharma 83, Shubman Gill 60).
Sri Lanka: 306 for 8 in 50 overs (Dasun Shanaka 108 not out, Pathum Nissanka 72, Dhananjaya de Silva 47; Umran Malik 3/57, Mohammed Siraj 2/30).
