India beat Sri Lanka Archives

Rahul, Kuldeep give India unassailable lead over Sri Lanka

KOLKATA: Sri Lanka succumbed to their second successive defeat as Kuldeep Yadav and KL Rahul-inspired India overcame a few hiccups to clinch the second ODI with a four-wicket victory and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

The wicketkeeper-batter Rahul played a pivotal role in guiding India home in a tricky run-chase that embarked with a poor start as the hosts lost four wickets for a mere 86 runs in the 15th over with captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli perishing cheaply.

Rahul stitched an anchoring fifth-wicket 75-run partnership with Hardik Pandya, who fell after a crucial 36-run knock in 53 deliveries that featured four boundaries.

Following his departure, Rahul then put on another vital partnership that powered India closer to triumph as his sixth-wicket stand with Axar Patel added 30 runs.

The right-handed batter top-scored for India with an unbeaten 64-run knock in 103 deliveries, laced with six boundaries, while India’s hero with the ball also chipped in the run chase with an unbeaten run-a-ball 10.

Chamika Karunaratne and Lahiru Kumara bagged two wickets each, while Kasun Rajitha and Dhananjaya de Silva made one scalp each.

Batting first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka endured a fierce attack from Kuldeep and Mohammed Siraj, who picked up three wickets each as the touring side bundled for 215 in the 40th over.

At one stage, Sri Lanka were looking pretty solid to put up a big total amid the second-wicket partnership between Nuwanidu Fernando and wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis as the duo added 73 runs.

Kuldeep then provided a much-needed breakthrough to India as he trapped Mendis in his legs for 34 which consequently, triggered the touring side’s batting collapse.

Fernando unluckily became a part of the frustrating collapse as he got run out soon after amassing his half-century. The young batter remained the top-scorer for Sri Lanka with 50 off 63 deliveries.

Sri Lanka then could not recover from the collapse and was soon bundled out for a mere 215 despite a fighting 32-run knock by Dunith Wellalage as the remaining batters seemed clueless against the Indian bowling attack.

Kuldeep and Siraj claimed three wickets each for India, while Umran Malik bagged two.

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Kohli’s ton fires India to a thumping triumph over Sri Lanka in first ODI

GUWAHATI: India’s star batter Virat Kohli amassed his 45th ODI and 73rd international century to power his side to a dominating 67-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first ODI of the three-match series here on Tuesday.

The right-handed batter survived two dropped catches on 52 and 81 before going on to hit a record-equalling ODI century and played a pivotal role in the team’s triumph.

Batting first after being invited by the Sri Lankan captain, the Indian batting line-up displayed a combined effort to post a massive 373/7 in their allotted 50 overs.

Skipper Rohit Sharma and his opening partner Shubman Gill laid a solid foundation as they put on a 143-run opening partnership with both scoring half-centuries.

Rohit, who missed India’s 2-1 T20I series triumph, scripted a strong start to the ODI series as he scored a quickfire 83 off just 67 deliveries with the help of nine boundaries and three sixes, while Gill fell after scoring a 60-ball 70.

Following the openers’ departure, Kohli Kohli stood firm and despite losing partners at the other end, carried on charging the Sri Lankan bowlers.

The right-handed batter top-scored for India with a record-setting 113 off a mere 87 deliveries that witnessed the ball crossing the fence 13 times including a maximum.

Besides the trio, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul remained the notable run-getter with his vital 39-run knock and stitched a 90-run partnership with Kohli for the fourth wicket.

Kasun Rajitha made three scalps for Sri Lanka but leaked aplenty while Chamika Karunaratne, Dasun Shanaka and Dhananjaya de Silva struck out a batter apiece.

Set to chase a mammoth 378, Sri Lanka could manage to amass 306/8 despite a fighting century from their skipper Shanaka, who remained unbeaten on 108 off just 88 deliveries including 12 boundaries and three sixes.

The touring side had a dismal start to the run chase as they lost two quick wickets including Kusal Mendis bagging a golden duck.

Nissanka (23) made an effort to revive the pursuit with his valiant batting and a 72-run fourth-wicket partnership with Dhananjaya de Silva, who scored 47.

Sri Lanka slumped to 206-8 in the 38th over, but Shanaka kept the game alive with an unbroken 100-run stand with Rajitha; also bringing up his century in style with a four and a six on the last two deliveries.

Umran Malik led the bowling attack for India with 3/58, while Mohammed Siraj bagged two wickets.

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‘Game-changer’ Suryakumar powers India to T20 series win over Sri Lanka

RAJKOT: Suryakumar Yadav, the world’s leading Twenty20 batsman, said Saturday he was thriving in his role as a “game-changer” after smashing a blazing century in India’s series-clinching 91-run win over Sri Lanka.

The hosts rode on Suryakumar’s unbeaten 112 off 51 deliveries to post 228-5 after electing to bat first in the series decider in Rajkot.

India then bowled out Sri Lanka for 137 in 16.4 overs for a 2-1 triumph to extend their unbeaten record in bi-lateral series to 12 on home turf which stretches back to February 2019.

Suryakumar, known as a 360-degree player for his ability to play all around the ground, stood out with his third T20 hundred — in 45 balls — as he stamped his class as the world’s number one batsman in the format.

“It’s really important to put pressure on yourself when you are preparing for a game. If you do that in practice, it gets a little easier while playing the game,” man of the match Suryakumar said.

Asked about his conversations with coach Rahul Dravid, a batting great in the classical mould, Suryakumar said, “He just lets me enjoy myself, whatever I am doing.

“Whatever situation I go in he tells me ‘just enjoy yourself, express yourself and try and be the game-changer on a given day’.”

Skipper Hardik Pandya praised Suryakumar, known as ‘SKY’, saying, “He has been surprising everyone and making everyone know that batting is very easy.

“If I am a bowler, I will be disheartened with the shots he plays. He has played blinders after blinders, which is now becoming a habit.”

The T20 sensation smashed seven fours and nine sixes including three off his trademark scoop shot over fine leg to entertain the raucous home crowd.

India lost two wickets inside six overs after electing to bat first but Suryakumar and Shubman Gill, who hit 46 off 36 deliveries, put on 111 runs to lay the foundations for the total.

‘Lot of Positives’

Left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka struck in the opening over to send back the left-handed Ishan Kishan, caught at slip for one by Dhananjaya de Silva.

Rahul Tripathi, 31, who made his debut in the previous match, then hit back with Gill for company as he hit Maheesh Theekshana for three fours in the fifth over.

Tripathi smashed fast bowler Chamika Karunaratne for two successive sixes but got caught out in an attempt to get another boundary. He made 35 off 16 deliveries.

Suryakumar, who reached his fifty in 26 balls, then took charge with his all-round hitting including three sixes with his scoop shot over fine leg.

Gill joined in the charge as he and Suryakumar smashed 23 runs in the 14th over from Theekshana.

But after three fours and two sixes in his 36-ball knock, Gill was bowled by leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and two more wickets fell before Suryakumar kept up the charge.

In reply, Kusal Mendis started briskly but fell to Axar Patel’s left-arm spin for 23 in the fifth over.

The left-handed Axar was named man of the series for his three wickets and 117 runs in the three matches.

Wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals with Pandya, fellow quick Umran Malik and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal taking two each.

Left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh took three including the final wicket.

Skipper Dasun Shanaka, who helped the tourists bounce back from their opening loss in the previous match, hit 23 off 17 balls before departing.

Shanaka said he is “happy” with his performance and there were a “lot of positives” to be taken from the series.

India’s top stars, including regular captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli, will return for the three one-day internationals between the two teams starting Tuesday.