Rohit hits 12th ODI ton as India wrap up series
series with two matches left after pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah set it up with his maiden five-wicket haul at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Rohit took charge after India were reduced to 61 for four in the 16th over in the face of an improved Sri Lankan bowling. He played the waiting game as well as the big shots, his unbeaten 124 off 145 balls containing 16 fours and two sixes.
Rohit shared an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 157 with MS Dhoni, who struck his 65th ODI fifty (67 no – 86b, 4x4, 1x6) after being called up to revive the innings for the second game in a row.
India restricted Sri Lanka to 217/6 and reached 218 for four in 45.1 overs. There was no strife in Rohit Sharma’s innings though. He first countered Sri Lanka’s pace attack and then joined Dhoni to tackling mystery spinner Akila Dananjaya, who added to his six-wicket haul in the second ODI by spreading panic again with two wickets in three deliveries.
Rohit Sharma’s world record 264 had come against a far superior Sri Lankan side, but Sunday’s effort showed his character and fitness. While he was rock solid, he also played his shots. He struck Dushmantha Chameera for three fours to get past fifty and then signalled Dananjaya had been countered by hitting him for six to move into the 90s before taking a single to get to his century.
MS Dhoni again proved a calibrated finisher. However, it was a case of lightning striking twice as Dananjaya again left India with something to ponder.
Lasith Malinga bowled Shikhar Dhawan (5) with one that came in and skipper Virat Kohli, bowled by Dananjaya for four in the last game, flicked pacer Vishwa Fernando to be caught at square leg.
KL Rahul (17 -- 24b) didn’t look comfortable and hoisted Dananjaya’s fifth delivery to midwicket. Kedar Jadhav may be able to take bowling attacks apart, but for the second game Dananjaya outwitted him, trapping him with a legbreak as he tried to sweep.
Jasprit Bumrah bowled with pace and got early seam movement and it was left to two players called up for the game to revive the innings after Chamara Kapugedera, the stand-in skipper, had opted to bat.