During the third ODI of Sri Lanka’s tour of India 2023 in Thiruvananthapuram, India beat Sri Lanka by a record margin of 317 runs to register a 3-0 series victory. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that India not only defeated Sri Lanka but pummeled them left, right and centre throughout the three ODIs played within a six-day period.
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Chasing a gargantuan 391-run target, all Sri Lanka could manage were 73 runs in 22 overs to put on display one of their worst batting performances in this format. With only three batters managing to reach the double digits, a majority of the Sri Lankan batting unit failed to compete against the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami.
Forget about chasing a target in vicinity of 400 runs, Sri Lanka never looked like lasting for 50 overs. Having said that, gaining no momentum whatsoever to a disastrous innings called for an early finish to a day-night match at the Greenfield International Stadium.
IND vs SL 3rd ODI Man of the Match
Former India captain Virat Kohli was adjudged the Player of the Match for the second time in three ODIs for scoring his 46th ODI century after captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat. Kohli, who had scored a 45th ODI century in the first ODI in Guwahati, had won a match award on Tuesday as well.
Kohli, who surpassed legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar in terms of scoring most ODI centuries (21) at home earlier in the day, needs three more centuries to equal Tendulkar in the list of most ODI centuries. Assuming that he would achieve the milestone some day in the near future, it will be quite a moment in the history of ODI cricket.
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“Ever since I came back from the long break [last year], I have been feeling good. I don’t have that desperation to get to a milestone. I am just enjoying my batting, being in a space where I can relax. Today as well, I was just happy to be out there batting,” Kohli told Star Sports during the post-match presentation ceremony.
