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After missing international cricket for quite some time, Rohit Sharma celebrated his comeback into the Indian team with a historic knock where he became the first cricketer to score two double-centuries in ODI cricket.
Earlier in the innings, Rohit was dropped on 4 by Thisara Perera at third man. But the Mumbai batsman made the best of the chance and lived up to the faith shown by the team management and the skipper himself.
India have included Rohit Sharma, Robin Uthappa, Karn Sharma and Stuart Binny in the match.
Over 49 || Score 396/4
re 297/4
Raina was the next batsman to be dismissed as he made room for himself off a Mathews delivery and launched it over covers, but Mahela held on to a good catch at sweeper cover to end his innings. Robin Uthappa is the new man in but it’s Rohit Sharma who is dealing in boundaries at the moment. He is batting on 174 and his going for his strokes eyeing a record feat – to become the only batsman in history of ODIs to have scored two double centuries.
Over 40 || Score 275/3
India lost their third wicket in the most unfortunate manner when Virat Kohli was run out at the score of 66. Kohli hit a ball from Mathews towards wide of long on, took a quick single, turned for the second one, stopped for a second and that cost him his wicket. It’s the end of a fantastic 202-run partnership for the third wicket. Suresh Raina is the new man in while Rohit remains unbeaten on 154.
Over 36 || Score 232/2
Soon after reaching his century, Rohit accelerated the pace of the innings and is currently batting on 143! He already has a double ton in ODIs to his name and it’s an excellent opportunity for him to add one more to the list. Virat Kohli on the other hand is batting on 47. He is giving Rohit most of the strike as he seems to be hitting boundaries at well. On the other hand, it has been some extremely poor bowling from the Lankan bowlers, who are in no sort of rhythm. A lot was expected from Mendis but he has conceded 41 runs from his five overs so far.
Over 32|| Score 186/2
Rohit Sharma made the best of the dropped chance earlier in the innings and went on to score his fifth ODI century. He took a single towards deep square leg off Eranga’s delivery and reached the three-figure mark off exactly 100 balls. The partnership is now worth 127 runs and with Kohli batting on 38, India are all set to post another huge score.
Over 30 || Score 169/2
With both these batsmen set, Kohli took the batting powerplay in the 30th over of the innings. Rohit immediately changed gears and scored two boundaries and a six in the Kulasekara over where he conceded 16 runs. India have done pretty well in the powerplay right throughout the series and it is likely to continue with these two now playing shots with ease. The pair has also added 110 runs for the third wicket. Rohit is batting on 93.
Over 25 || Score 122/2
After a shaky start, Rohit Sharma reached his half-century off 72 balls in the 24th over of the innings. He was given a life on 4, and he should ensure that he converts it into nothing less than a century. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, is playing fantastic shots on a consistent basis. Mathews should think differently and try and get atleast one of them dismissed. The third-wicket partnership has reached 63 runs. 33 runs were scored in the last five overs.
Over 20 || Score 89/2
Spin was introduced in the 18th over of the innings and Kohli and Sharma have so far added unbeaten 30 runs for the third-wicket partnership. Ajantha Mendis is yet to be introduced into the attack and it would be interesting to see what sort of impact can he make in the match. Two of his top five bowling performances have come against India.
Over 15 || 70/2
Since Virat Kohli’s arrival, Rohit Sharma has played some fine strokes. As these two have done on numerous occasions in the past, India need them to stitch a big partnership. Angelo Mathews would know that he needs to dismiss these two as soon as possible if the Lankans entertain any chances of dominating the match.
Over 13 || 59/2
Eranga bowled a gem of a delivery to get rid of Ambati Rayudu. It was a length ball which was pitched on middle-stump and it moved away uprooting Rayudu’s off-stump! Eranga has been the most impressive bowler for Sri Lanka today and he would have picked a wicket in his very first over had Perera held on to the catch. Skipper Virat Kohli is the new man in. The run-scoring has slowed down since the dismissal of Ajinkya Rahane.
Over 10 || Score 46/1
Angelo Mathews got the first breakthrough for his side when he dismissed Rahane for 28 runs. Rahane was looking to play down the leg side, missed the line and the replays suggested it would have gone on to hit the top of the stumps. Rahane was looking in some superb form before being dismissed. Ambati Rayudu has been once again sent to bat at number three. Sri Lanka have managed to contain the runs after India got off to a flier!
Over 5 || Score 24/0
It could have been the end of Rohit Sharma’s innings had the fielder at third man held on to a sitter. Sharma charged down the wicket off the third ball of Shaminda Eranga’s first over, got a leading edge which went straight to Thisara Perera at third man who grassed it! That would only add to Sri Lanka’s woes. Rahane has looked confident at the crease so far.
Over 1 || Score 12/0
Ajinkya Rahane has got India off to a flier. In the first over bowled by Nuwan Kulasekara, the right-hander smashed him for three boundaries. While first two boundaries were scored on the leg side, the third was driven beautifully through covers. Confident start for India, Rahane has made his intentions very clear already.
Toss: Virat Kohli has won the toss and India will bat first.
India would be high on confidence after taking an unassailable 3-0 lead after the first three matches. India have made three changes as Rohit Sharma, Karn Sharma and Stuart Binny have come in for Shikhar Dhawan, Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Rohit Sharma, who has missed international cricket of late due to injury would be keen to impress the selectors and show why he deserves to be a part of the Indian squad for the forthcoming Australia tour as well as the ICC World Cup.
Sri Lanka would on other hand would play for their pride as they haven’t managed to put any sort of fight so far in the series. Apart from Mahela Jayawardene, none of the senior players have managed to score big knocks. Kumar Sangakkara has been rested.
Even in the bowling department, absence of Lasith Malinga is something which has hurt them terribly as most of the Indian batsmen have found back their momentum.
Indian Squad:
AM Rahane, RV Uthappa (wk), AT Rayudu, V Kohli (c), RG Sharma, SK Raina, STR Binny, AR Patel, KV Sharma, UT Yadav, DS Kulkarni
Sri Lankan Squad:
TM Dilshan, MDKJ Perera, LD Chandimal (wk), DPMD Jayawardene, AD Mathews (c), HDRL Thirimanne, NLTC Perera, S Prasanna, KMDN Kulasekara, RMS Eranga, BAW Mendis