After India elected to play in Trivandrum, both Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill hit centuries as the team posted a mammoth total of 390/5.
The pitch at Greenfield Stadium was great for strokeplay, and India’s top order performed admirably on it. A 95-run opening stand between Rohit Sharma and Gill set the tone. The pair began cautiously, scoring 19 runs in the opening five overs. But Lahiru Kumara’s sixth over unleashed the floodgates.
𝗕𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗗𝗜𝘀!#TeamIndia register a comprehensive victory by 3️⃣1️⃣7️⃣ runs and seal the @mastercardindia #INDvSL ODI series 3️⃣-0️⃣ 👏👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/q4nA9Ff9Q2……… pic.twitter.com/FYpWkPLPJA
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 15, 2023
Rohit began by flicking him wristily for a six over midwicket before passing the baton to Gill, who swiftly smashed four consecutive boundaries for 23 runs and set the tone for the rest of India’s innings.
Also Read: Virat Kohli achieves his 74th international century in the third ODI versus Sri Lanka
Prior to Rohit’s dismissal for dragging Chamika Karunaratne straight to fine leg on 42, the duo had matched each other shot for shot as they approached fifty. However, Gill received strong support from Kohli, who strolled in appearing in fine form. Kohli hit Karunaratne through the covers for a boundary on his very first delivery. And then proceeded to play with Jeffrey Vanersay’s lengths as he drove and cut him for successive boundaries. Gill quickly surpassed fifty and maintained his pace with another six off Vandersy.
Sri Lanka was unable to pose much of a threat to either batsman, although a few deliveries kept low on occasion and Gill survived an LBW review against Wanindu Hasaranga after he gloved it. Other than that, the pitch was advantageous for making shots, which were plentiful.
The maximum number of sixes Kohli has hit in an ODI innings is eight.
Virat Kohli gets Man of the Match and Man of the Series award
For his scintillating unbeaten century, @imVkohli gets the Player of the Match award as #TeamIndia win by 317 runs 👏👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/q4nA9Ff9Q2#INDvSL | @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/uAOwcglERK
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 15, 2023
2️⃣8️⃣3️⃣ runs in three matches with a top-score of 1️⃣6️⃣6️⃣* 👌👌
Congratulations to @imVkohli on winning the Player of the Series award 👏👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/q4nA9Ff9Q2#INDvSL | @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/WIlPU9sJYp
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 15, 2023
While Gill perished shortly after reaching his second ODI century, off a Rajitha delivery that kept low, Kohli assumed the responsibility of driving the innings forward after reaching fifty. Shreyas Iyer kept the momentum going with a 38-ball innings to back Kohli’s performance. After a collision at the boundary between Ashen Bandara and Jeffrey Vanderbaay resulted in both players being carried out on stretchers, Kohli was forced to wait for 99. However, he reached his 46th ODI century with a single upon the game’s resumption, sparking a period of boundary-hitting frenzy. He scored 66 runs off the final 25 balls he faced and provided India with the ideal finish to a huge total.
Mohd Siraj claimed a superb four-wicket haul and was our Top Performer from the second innings.
.@mdsirajofficial claimed a superb four-wicket haul and was our Top Performer from the second innings 👌👌
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/q4nA9Ff9Q2#TeamIndia | #INDvSL
A summary of his bowling display 🔽 pic.twitter.com/kdAbf1NEYX
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 15, 2023
Brief Scores: India 390/5 against. Sri Lanka 116 (Virat Kohli 166*, Shubman Gill 116)