Page 36 - The Indian EYE 012023

SPORTS JANUARY 20, 2023 | The Indian Eye 36

India lead series against

Sri Lanka as Virat, Rohit and

Siraj improve rankings

Kohli scored a stunning century in India’s victory against Sri Lanka in the first ODI in Guwahati on
Tuesday, and has moved up two spots to 6th, as per ICC. Rohit Sharma has gained a spot to sit at 8th

OUR BUREAU
Kolkata/Mumbai
L Rahul scored an unbeat-
en half-century in his 50th
KODI to help India claim a
four-wicket victory in the second
ODI against Sri Lanka here at the
Eden Gardens on Thursday.
India clinched the three-match
ODI series with an unassailable 2-0
lead. Sensible batting from KL Ra-
hul and Hardik Pandya ensured the
hosts recovered from the early set-
back to complete the chase.
The wicketkeeper batsmen
scored 64* runs while Hardik made
36 runs. Chamika Karunaratneand
Lahiru Kumara picked up two wick-
ets apiece to dent the Indian run-
chase.
Chasing the target, India were
off to a quick with openers Shubh-
man Gill and Rohit Sharma smash-
ing five fours and a six inside the
first four overs. The batting duo
looked in sublime touch and fed on
the over-pitched bowling by the Sri
Lankan pace attack.
The Indian captain looked set KL Rahul plays a shot during the 2nd ODI match against Sri Lanka, at Eden Gardens, in Kolkata on Thursday (ANI)
for another Eden Garden special
knock with the Kolkata ground
serving as the right-hander’s hap- Kohli and batter Shreyas Iyer. How- to convert his start leaving India in a ICC Rankings: Virat, Rohit,
py hunting ground. However, pacer ever, the former Indian captain fell spot of bother at 86/4. Siraj make gains
Chamika Karunaratne struck to the to a fiery in-swinging delivery as La- Vice-captain Hardik Pandya and
fourth-stump line to produce Ro- hiru knocked over Virat’s stumps. KL Rahul were left to do the rebuild- ndia batting heavyweights Vi-
hit’s edge in the fifth over, giving the The right-hander could only score ing of the inning and the pair made rat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and
visitors some much-needed respite. 4(9) before getting dismissed. India sure that Sri Lanka did not run away Ipacer Mohammed Siraj made no-
The right-hander was dismissed for were in dire need of a sturdy part- with the game. The duo stitched a vi- table jumps in the latest ICC Men’s
17(21). nership at the end of 10 overs with tal 75-run stand for the fifth wicket ODI Player Rankings issued on
Lahiru Kumara was struck for the scoreboard reading 67/3. to keep India in the hunt. Wednesday.
consecutive boundaries by Gill but Iyer did play a few eye-pleasing Kuldeep contributed with the Kohli scored a stunning century
the bowler had the last laugh as he strokes to find boundaries at reg- bat as well after taking three wickets in India’s victory against Sri Lanka in
dismissed the batter on the third ball ular intervals but was dismissed to earlier in the day and remained un- the first ODI in Guwahati on Tues-
of the over to send the opener pack- a straight full delivery, expecting a beaten on 10 runs. Rahul made his day, and has moved up two spots to
ing for a quick-fire 21(12). bumper with the Sri Lankans feed- 50th ODI appearance memorable 6th, as per ICC. Rohit Sharma also
The onus to steady the inning ing him short-pitched deliveries. The with a match-winning knock of 64* scored an aggressive 83 and has
Continued at next page... >>
fell on last match’s centurion Virat right-hander made 28(33) and failed runs. Continued at next page... >>

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