India

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 with his 87-ball 113.

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 in the center overs.

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 by his side.

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.





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