Sri Lanka sprung a surprise in the first One Day International when they beat India by seven wickets. This was after a string of consecutive defeats at the hands of India. They went into the second ODI at Mohali with confidence, as they realized that victory at Mohali would mean history. If they had won, it would have been the first time in over three decades that Sri Lanka would have won a series in India. Their hopes were dashed to the ground as the stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma seized the opportunity to hit his third ODI Double Century. With India totaling 392 for 4, the match is all over bar the shouting, News18 reported.
Sharma shines
Sharma won the toss and elected to bat. Sharma was intent on getting over the humiliating loss at Dharamshala and he set about the 'Lanka attack with a vengeance. He raced to his first hundred in 115 balls and his second only 35 balls. The stadium was witness to some glorious batting as Sharma set the stands aflame with an innings of 208 not out. This was his third double century in this format of the game and he became the first player in the world to have hit three double hundreds. Sharma also holds the world record of the highest score in ODI of 264 at Calcutta, also against Sri Lanka. He also has a score of 219 against Australia.
Sharma was appointed captain in place of Virat Kohli, who was given leave by the cricket board.
Virat has proceeded to Italy where he is celebrating a pure Punjabi wedding with Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma. In his absence, Rohit Sharma has seized the opportunity with a great batting display. His second race to 100 in only 35 balls is the fastest in ODI matches.
Sri Lanka heading for defeat
Sri Lanka is batting as per last reports and have already lost two wickets with just 30 on board in eight overs.
By no stretch of the imagination, they can hope to reach 392 in the allotted 50 overs. The Mohali crowd is overjoyed and for once everybody forgot about Kohli.
India and Sri Lanka will now play the last ODI at Indore, followed by a three-match 20-20 series. As things stand there does not appear to be any chance that Lanka can win their first series in India.
SA tour
The Indian team under Virat Kohli will proceed to South Africa at the end of the Sri Lanka tour. This tour will be a stern test for Kohli and his boys and as Sunil Gavaskar has said, India must approach the South African tour with confidence. India has never won a series in South Africa. Perhaps Kohli will set the record books right after this tour.To win Kohli will have to fire on all cylinders and the South Africans will try and contain him.
