A marvelous innings by Rohit Sharma (103 0f 94 balls) and KL Rahul (111 off 118 balls) helped India to beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets without breaking a sweat in the World Cup match at the Headingly in Leeds on Thursday.
Men in blue got off to a flying start as the dominant half-centuries from Sharma and Rahul put India on course to chase down their 265-run target. The duo added 189 for the first wicket.
Sharma, popular known as ‘hitman’, kept up the attack on Sri Lanka’s bowlers as he topped the tournament’s batting charts after going past 600 runs. He is only the fourth international batsman after Sachin Tendulkar (India – 2003), Mathew Hayden (Australia – 2007) and Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh – 2019) to score over 600 runs in a single edition of the World Cup.
Later, after achieving this feat he walked to the pavilion as he was caught by Angelo Mathew on Kasun Rajitha’s bowl. Rohit scored 103 of 94 balls decorated with 14 fours and 2 sixes.
Sharma’s dismissal didn’t affect, India as the job was already done by the openers in a chase of 265 runs.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli then joined Rahul and making no mistakes he too thrashed Sri Lankan bowlers with his partner from the other end. But after adding 55 runs together, finally Rahul journey came to an end in 41st over, as Lasith Malinga dismissed him on a score of 111 off 118 balls. His innings included 11 fours and 1 six.
Risabh Pant, who joined Kohli after Rahul dismissal disappointed as he walked to the pavilion on just scoring four runs. He was lbw by Isuru Udana.
Later Hardik Pandya with Kohli guided towards the seven wickets victory over Sri Lanka with seven overs left. Both Pandya (7) and Kohli remained who scored 34 off 41 balls remained unbeaten.
For Sri Lanka Lasith Malinga, Isuru Udana and Thisara Perera took one wicket each. (UNI)
