Kohli’s 110 seals match as India clinch series
India coasted to a 6-wicket triumph over Sri Lanka fronted by a captain’s innings of 110 not out off 116 balls by Virat Kohli in the fifth and final ODI to take the series 5-nil yesterday at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
Sri Lanka, having taken first lease of the wicket in the day night made 238 in 49.4 overs, and had India in a spot of bother claiming two early wickets as India were 1 for 17 and 2 for 29. When slinger Lasith Malinga accounted for that A. Rahane caught by Munaweera for 05, and co-paceman Vishwa Fernando packed off the dangerous Rohit Sharma for 16 caught by Malinda Pushpakumara, it had local fans on their feet. But expectations of extending Sri Lanka’s grip on the match evaporated in the face of Kohli’s onslaught as he followed up his century in the previous game with the same dexterity in a whirlwind display of stroke play to put paid to any hopes Sri Lanka had. Kohli’s ton included 9 boundaries.
Sri Lanka lost Niroshan Dickwella with the total on 14 and Dilshan Munaweera, who replaced the erratic Kusal Mendis, making it 2 for 40 as skipper Upul Tharanga, returning from a 2-match ban, opening the innings kept the scoreboard ticking with a 34-ball 48 when he edged a delivery from Bumrah to wicket-keeper Miahendra Singh Dhoni and it was 3 for 63. It brought Lahiru Thirimanne together with former captain Angelo Mathews who put on a solid 122 runs for the fourth wicket in 29.3 overs at a run rate of 4.9 an over when Thirimanne exited. Thirimanne’s 102-ball 67containing three boundaries and a lusty six was a solid revival pathway blended together with Mathews who made a 98-ball 55 inclusive of four hits to the ropes. The pair had kindled a semblance of Sri Lanka mounting a 250-plus total having maintained 6 runs an over by the 17th over. Thirimanne, brought up his second half century in three appearances in a solid return to the fold from over a one year sidelining in a pleasing display of footwork. After an early testing by the Indian bowlers, the left hander came out of his shell in a free flow display nimble footwork in lofting Kuldip Yadav for a six over the bowlers head. He was bowled by Kumar as he appeared to pull back ever so slightly expecting to loft the ball, but it was a lethal delivery and his not playing up to the pitch of the ball saw his stumps d disturbed. Mathews departed in quick succession undone by his leg side paddling shot that has proved to be his Achilles heel as he mistimed as has oft been the case for Dhoni to take a running catch off Yadav. The double blows triggered Sri Lanka’s downfall with only Milinda Siriwardena of the rest making 18 off 13 with a boundary and a six as Sri Lanka folded for 238.
In India’s victory thrust Kohli found solid support from M. Pandy who made 36 from 53 and K.M. Jadhav 63 from 75 containing seven boundaries. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s splendid figures of 5 for 42 saw him eclipse Kohli for the Man of the Match award. Jasprit Bumrah was Man of the Series.
By Srian Obeyesekere
-The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Sri Lanka Cricket-
