Rohit Sharma smashes 3rd ODI double hundred; India win by 141 runs
Rohit Sharma hits 3rd 200+ scre in One Day International
Rohit Sharma’s love affair with ODI double hundreds continued at Mohali as the Indian opener smashed his 3rd ODI double ton. He razed his way to his third double-century in ODIs to launch India to 392 for 4, helping India level the series with a 141-run drubbing.
Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer gave Rohit able company with rapid half-centuries, as India posted their 100th 300-plus total in ODIs. Angelo Mathews led Sri Lanka’s losing battle with a fighting hundred, his second in ODIs, but just like AB de Villiers’ 114 against India in Gwalior in 2010, it didn’t take much away from a stunning double-hundred.
Given Mohali’s large boundaries, Sri Lanka’s response to Rohit was to take pace off the ball and try bowling short. It didn’t work. Sri Lanka’s end-overs specialists Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep then tried firing in wide yorkers. It didn’t work. Straight yorkers? Nope. Low full-tosses resulted in sixes over midwicket and square leg. As the level of intimidation went up, Sri Lanka grew increasingly helpless.
The chase fizzled out early, as Sri Lanka labored their way to 41 for 2 in the first 10 overs. Upul Tharanga slapped a catch to cover and Danushka Gunathilaka was strangled down the leg side. Lahiru Thirimanne’s horror form continued, managing just 21 runs off 34 balls before attempting a premeditated reverse-sweep off debutant Washington Sundar, who struck off his ninth ball in ODIs.
Sri Lanka’s middle order, led by Mathews, batted with intent and aggression. Niroshan Dickwella and Asela Gunaratne contributed brisk cameos, but were dismissed trying to keep up with an asking rate that soared past 10 runs per over with more than half the innings remaining.
