ANCHOR ROHIT GIVING INDIA NEW MOMENTUM IN ONEDAYERS

COLOMBO Rohit Sharma’s Oneday International career began to take off after he was promoted to open the innings under the captaincy of MS Dhoni in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.

Having become such a key member, Rohit seems to have been given a new role India take early steps towards fine-tuning the side for the 2019 World Cup in England.

Rohit turning anchor seems to be that next big step. His hitting prowess and sheer timing is there for all to see, but for the second successive match, he played the waiting game.

The Mumbai batsman struck his 13th century, after his unbeaten 124 in the previous game and a fifty in the second ODI. But more than the runs, he would have been pleased with his temperament, and fitness in sapping humidity after staying put till the 35th over as India took apart Sri Lanka’s bowlers.

Virat Kohli came in and took over, racing to his 29th ODI century while Rohit settled down to rotate the strike, waiting for the loose deliveries to put away.

The 30-year-old brought up his century in 85 reaching the mark with a glorious one-driven four off Lasith Malinga.

He raised his bat as the Indian dressing room stood up to applaud. Rohit’s wife, Ritika, too was in the stands, cheering his effort. His standout shot was an inside-out six over extra cover off debutant left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara.

The Indian team management has promised to experiment through this series. Getting Rohit to bat through the innings seems to be coming off well. In Pallekele, he dug in after quick fall of wickets in a 157-run stand with Dhoni, staying on till the 46th over to get the job done.

It is an excellent move because technically Rohit is considered more sound than Shikhar Dhawan. For Rohit, who was not seen as among the fittest in the side, it has given him the opportunity to show how much he has imbibed the team’s mantra to improve on that front.