Team India won the first ODI of the year

67-run victory over Sri Lanka, Kohli’s first home century in 4 years

Virat Kohli recorded his 45th ODI century on Tuesday as India walked in at a very comfortable 143 for 1. To call this Sri Lankan bowling attack pedestrian would not be to diminish him in any way. Sri Lankan fielding was just as poor as their bowling, which was all over the place. On 52 and 81, respectively, Kohli was dropped, and both times Kasun Rajitha was the unfortunate bowler.

Dasun Shanaka’s team looked subpar in all departments as they were outplayed by a strong Indian team by 67 runs. Sri Lanka finished with 306 for 8 after chasing a mammoth 374 on a good batting pitch. The margin appeared smaller because, near the end, Indian bowlers failed to wrap up the tail, and Sri Lankan captain Shanaka (108 not out off 88b; 124, 36) took advantage. He scored his second ODI century and put on an unbeaten 100-run stand for the ninth wicket with Kasun Rajitha.

Flying start by the openers

Indian openers Rohit Sharma (83 off 67 balls; 9-4, 3-6) and Shubman Gill (70 off 60 balls; 11-4) combined for 143 runs for the first wicket after being put into the batting order. India reached 75 at the conclusion of the power play without breaking a sweat. They started out with purpose, and Sri Lanka’s subpar bowling also worked in their favor. Rohit appeared at ease and was at his most aggressive.

His young partner matched him stroke for stroke at the other end. Given how quickly they scored, it is safe to say that both Rohit and Gill fell short of a century. After playing outside the line off Shanaka’s bowling, Gill was ruled out. Madushanka, a rookie, took down Rohit to secure his first ODI wicket.

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Kohli excels under pressure

Kohli kept one side intact after the openers failed to convert their starts at the other end. It was a typical Kohli knock, as he walked in and played the role of the sheet anchor to perfection. In 52 balls, he got his first fifty. The next fifty came in 38 balls, and he was out in the 49th over when he was trying to up the ante and Kusan Mendis, who had dropped a regulation catch earlier, grabbed a skier and Rajitha finally had his man.

Although it wasn’t his most commanding performance, Kohli showed signs of regaining his best in his preferred format. Kohli was in fine form throughout the match, whether it was his fierce ramp shot against Rajitha or his flick as he ran down the crease against Shanaka’s easy pace. Kohli also came skipping down the wicket and hit Dhananjaya de Silva for a flat six over mid-wicket. In light of Kohli’s growing consistency in the format and the upcoming 50-over World Cup, his performance must have pleased both Rohit and head coach Rahul Dravid.

It was Kohli’s second back-to-back ODI century. Earlier in the tour, Kohli ended his ODI century drought against Bangladesh. India’s No. 3 had not scored a century in 1214 days. Kohli equaled Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 20 ODI tonnes at home with another ODI tonne. While Tendulkar took 164 matches to reach the milestone, Kohli has only taken 101. Kohli also broke Tendulkar’s record for most ODI centuries against Sri Lanka. Tendulkar has eight to his name, while Kohli now has nine.

Cameos from Iyer and Rahul

In addition to Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (28 off 24b; 34, 16) appeared fluid but was unable to capitalize on his start. KL Rahul, who was under pressure (39 off 29b; 4 4, 1 6) also failed to capitalize and was bowled around the legs after being duped by Rajitha’s slower delivery.

India was at 294 for 3 after 40 overs and appeared headed for the 400-run threshold. India only managed to score 79 runs in the final ten overs and lost four wickets because they lacked the finishing touch. Rajitha (3/88) was Sri Lanka’s preferred bowler.

Impressive performance from the pace battery

And if Sri Lanka was hoping for a break with the bat, it was in vain as Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Umran Malik of India bowled with fire and pace, showing a curious lack of energy or intent in the field.

Siraj struck the visitors twice in his first spell by removing Avishka Fernando (age 5) and Kusal Mendis (0). Charitha Asalanka (age 23) was then choked on the side of the leg by Umran.

Pathum Nissanka (72) and Dhananjaya de Silva (47), who put on a quick 72-run stand for the fourth wicket, were broken up by Shami, who drew the edge, and Rahul took a regulation catch. Umran’s extra speed put an end to Nissanka’s valiant knock. Nissanka went for the pull as soon as he saw the short ball, but the pace hurried him and he ended up giving an easy catch to Axar Patel at mid-wicket.

After that, Hasaranga faced Yuzvendra Chahal, another leg-spinner. He hit two sixes over the deep middle of the wicket before launching a stunning inside-out shot over the covers. His exciting stay came to an end when Iyer caught his wild hoick.

Umran, meanwhile, was still working. Dunith Wellalage left the game without interfering with the score. The additional space also destroyed him, and Gill made a fine, diving grab at first slip. As Chamika Karunarathne raced down the track and ended up hitting Rohit Sharma, who was patrolling at mid-on, straight on, vice-captain Hardik Pandya joined the action.

Rohit withdraws his appeal.

In the 50th over of the match, there was some drama. Shami ran Shanaka out at the non-end strikers on the third ball of the over for backing up too early. The appeal was withdrawn after Rohit spoke with the bowler. “I had no idea Shami ran out; he was batting on 98. His batting style was brilliant. We can’t get him out that way. “Not something we anticipated, hats off to him, he played well,” Rohit said after the game.

The final score was India 373/7 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 113, Rohit Sharma 80, Shubman Gill 70; Kasun Rajitha 3/83) defeating Sri Lanka 306 for 8 in 50 overs (Dasun Shanaka 108; Umran Malik 3/57, Mohammed Siraj 2/30), by a margin of 67 runs.