INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Making full usage of two dropped chances, Virat Kohli smashed his 45th ODI hundred that moved India to an imposing 373 for seven against Sri
Lanka in the series-opener
Kohli, who scored 113 against Bangladesh in Chattogram in Indias last ODI, continued from where he delegated play the sheet anchor function
The class of Kohli was on complete display as he smashed 12 fours and one six and hung on to one end while wickets fell at routine intervals
At a place where he had scored a century (140 vs West Indies) in the only ODI held here four years back, the previous India skipper had luck
He was dropped two times-- on 52 and 81-- en path to his 45th ODI century, 4 shy of genius Sachin Tendulkars all-time record of 49 centuries
in the 50-over format.Overall, Kohli has now 73rd International centuries
To opt for his 45 ODI hundreds, he has 27 in Test format and one in T20I
Skipper Rohit Sharma reacted to the criticism of benching the in-form duo of Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav by giving India a solid start
in business of Shubman Gill
The Indian skipper had actually preferred Gill over Ishan who needed to sit out despite a record-breaking 210 in Indias last one-dayer
Rohit knocked a 67-ball 83 (9x4, 3x6) in a knock of large dominance
On a flat deck, Rohit was at ease to march to the Lankan pacers, pulling them with nonchalance en path to a 41-ball fifty
Gill was also at his fluent finest and matched his skipper keeping his style and beauty intact
Continuing his dream run in ODIs, Gill brought up his 5th half-century that came off 51 balls
It was a one-way traffic for the Indian opening duo prior to Dasun Shanaka dismissed Gill
The youngster was guilty of playing throughout the line and heap caught in front of the wicket
Aiming to bring an end to his century dry spell, Rohit too died in addition of 30 runs to the overall
He was tidied up by debutant Dilshan Madushanka
Run-rate slowed down and it was a welcome respite for Sri Lanka who till then were looking at a 400-plus target
The home team slowly acquired the lost momentum with Kohli and Shreyas Iyer (28) taking charge of the middle-overs
Having got approval ahead of Suryakumar Yadav, Iyer looked proficient and struck Wanindu Hasaranga for a six
He failed to convert his start
Underfire KL Rahul (39) also could not make it big and was bowled around the legs after being deceived by a slower one from Kasun Rajitha.
