India wins again on Kohli, Sharma tons; Malinga reaches 300-wicket milestone, Mathews 2/24 and 70
Sri Lanka went down to India by 168 runs in the fourth ODI on a day India set the record for the highest total of 375 on tour in Sri Lanka on the back of sparkling centuries by skipper Virat Kohli 96-ball 131, 17×4, 2×6, and Rohit Sharma 88-ball 104, 11×4, 3×6, who shared in a mammoth 219-run alliance for the second wicket the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday. It was a tall ask for Sri Kusal Mendis running himself out for 01 to put his side in an early rut of 2 for 26 in just 2.4 overs. After Niroshan Dickwella had departed for 14 with the total on 22, Mendis’ suicidal run out was a dismal continuation of the in-disciplined run out hoodoo by the 23-year old given the run input reliance placed by the team. At a time Sri Lanka required a big knock, the manner in which he lost his wicket was a huge blow and a big disappointment for the local fans.
India’s run orgy was sparked by some exhilarating hitting by skipper Kohli in overtaking his partner. It simply took the game away from Sri Lanka as Sharma blended in a continuation of his rollicking form. Sri Lanka did find the personal milestone of skipper Lasith Malinga achieving his 300th ODI wicket in grandeur of adding his counterpart Kohli to the culminating zenith of the magical feat. He had him caught by Munaweera. That high apart, the all-round form of former captain Angelo Mathews claiming 2 wickets for 24 from 6 overs and 80-ball 70 packed 10 boundaries was some respite to the locals. Of course, the high point of Mathews was the devastating manner in which the medium pacer got rid of Sharma. Mathews sent down a thunderbolt that simply pole axed the batsman who was left still in his tracks. All Sharma could do was move his body away from the thunderbolt and weave his bat as the sailing delivery took the edge of his bat and in to wicket-keeper Dickwella’s gloves.
By that time Mathews had worked himself in to full throttle and his next ball accounted for Pandya who had crossed over to be caught by Hasaranga de Silva for 19. Mathews successive wickets reduced India from 262 for 2 to 262 for 4. Mathews bout of lethal bowling was the type of sting Sri Lanka’s pace bowling department has lacked throughout, and should be a reminder to the Sri Lankan camp that it takes this type of consistency to come down the line to win matches. That Mahendra Singh Dhoni reined in with 49 from 42, 5×4, 1×6, and M.K. Pandey 50 from 42, 4×4, took India to the record highest total in Sri Lanka of 375 for 4 from 50 overs. From 4 for 68, Sri Lanka recovered to 5 for 141, thanks to a 73-run fifth wicket partnership between Mathews and Milinda Siriwardena in 13.2 overs. Siriwardena made 39 off 43 inclusive of 3 boundaries and two sixes but could not optimise the recovery trail as Mathews fought alone to be ninth out with the total on 190 falling to Patel. It was a spanking innings on a day the top order at large could not carry the run charge as Sri Lanka was bowled out for 207 in 42.4 overs.
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-
