India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI: Virat’s 45th ODI Ton Powers India To 67 Runs Victory Against Sri Lanka. India defeated Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the first match of the 3-match ODI series. Chasing a huge target of 374, the Sri Lankan batters could not handle the pressure and were handed a crushing defeat.
After registering a win in the T20 format, India, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma assembled on the field. In fact, it was the first time that Rohit Sharma returned back in the captaincy role after the T20 World Cup 2022. They rested Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan.
Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to field first. But, it backfired them and the Indian openers went berserk. The duo of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave a rocking start to the innings and they did a partnership of 143 runs in 19 overs. Then Virat Kohli joined the party and scored his 45th ton in the ODI format. The men in blue finished at 373/7.
Sri Lanka was never in the game throughout the innings and they kept losing wickets. Captain Dhasun Sanaka scored a century and good contributions from Nissanka, and de Silva was not good enough for the team to chase down the total.
Umran Malik was the pick of the bowlers for team India, picking 3 wickets. He was equally assisted by other bowlers, who also got wickets. Sri Lanka could manage to pass the 300-run mark and they finished the innings at 306/8.
Also Read: IPL 2023: All Teams Coaches List And Their Salaries
Kohli Starts 2023 With A Century
There is hardly any better sight on a cricket ground than seeing Virat Kohli bat fearlessly and score runs. Today, cricket fans were greeted with something special from the run machine. Virat Kohli entertained the jam-packed crowd in Assam and scored his 45th ODI ton. He departed after scoring a marvelous 113 runs of 87 deliveries, which included 12 4’s and 1 six. This was his 73rd century across all formats.
Kohli came to bat in the 20th over after the openers Rohit Sharma and Shubhman Gill gave a great start to the innings. He started his innings as usual in a calm and composed manner.
Kohli reached his half-century in 47 balls. He got two opportunities once in the 37th over and the other time in the 43rd over. But, he made the most use of the dropped chance and reached the century with a single in the 47th over.
This inning of Kohli was a sheer class. Although he scored with a strike rate of 125, he never looked to play fancy shots. His temperament was phenomenal. He was instrumental in taking India to a mammoth total of 373/7 in 50 overs.
Records Tumble At Assam
Kohli after hitting his 45th ODI ton also achieved a few new landmarks. He equaled the record of 20 ODI centuries at home by Sachin Tendulkar. He also became the fastest player to score 12500 runs in the ODI format. He also surpassed everyone to score the highest (9) centuries against the island nation in the ODI format.
Also Read: TATA IPL 2023: Predicted Openers Of All 10 Teams
With this back to back centuries, the fans will be hoping that Kohli continues his good form and score huge runs in this calendar year.
India Vs Sri Lanka First ODI 2023: Brief Scorecard:
India- 373/7 (50 overs)
Virat Kohli- 113(87)
Rohit Sharma- 83(67)
Shubman Gill- 70(60)
Rajitha- 88/3
Madushanka- 43/1
Shanaka- 22/1
Sri Lanka- 306/8 (50 overs)
Shanaka- 108*(88)
Nissanka- 72(80)
Umran Malik- 57/3
Siraj- 30/2
