After another win against Sri Lanka in the match on Sunday, India sealed yet another ODI Series against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka, just like the previous game, had their moments in the match but that didn’t prove enough in the end. Let’s have a look at a few defining moments of the match, from where the match could have gone either way.
- Thirimane’s innings
Despite what was going on, at the other end, HDRL Thirimanne’s effort ensured that the Lankans crossed the 200 run mark and give some sort of a total to defend to their bowlers. Thirimanne’s well fought out 80 was the highlight of the Sri Lanka innings and Thirimanne emerged as the most promising Sri Lankan talent of the match.
- Bumrah’s maiden five-for
Jasprit Bumrah was spot on right from his first spell and regularly took wickets whenever the captain threw the ball at him, picking up his maiden five-for and a well-deserved man of the match. Bumrah’s spell was one of the best in recent times, eventually producing figures of 10-2-27-5 (Overs-Maidens-Runs-Wickets)
- The much-needed Start
After giving a target of 218 runs for the Indians to chase, Sri Lanka needed to pick wickets early on to create any chance whatsoever to win the match. Sri Lanka started exactly at the same note picking up Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Kedar Jadhav and KL Rahul for just 61 runs on the board. It was the kind of scenario that Sri Lanka hasn’t experienced a lot in this bilateral series except for the previous game. At 61/4, with Rohit and MS Dhoni batting, it was Sri Lanka’s best chance in the game.
- Hitman with Mr. Cool
Rohit Sharma did convert his start into a century this time around, and a brilliant hundred to say the least. While wickets were falling at the other end initially, Sharma didn’t lose his ground and survived the difficult period but when the ball was in his zone, he didn’t take any half measures at all. On the other hand, was MS Dhoni, who once again came back after scoring the winning runs, like he so often does. Their unbeaten stand of over a 150 sealed the series for the visiting side.
The next India vs Sri Lanka encounter would be on August 31, 2017 (Thursday)
2:30 pm (IST)
Live from the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
