India continued their dominance over hosts Sri Lanka in the 4th One day international played at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Winning the toss, India elected to bat. Rohit Sharma and Kohli scored centuries while Manish Pandey remained not out on 50, MS Dhoni 49 posting a massive total of 375 for 5. The Sri Lankan batsmen lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 207 in 42.4 overs.
Indian captain Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat. There were 3 changes in the Indian team with Manish Pandey replacing Kedar Jadhav, Shardul Thakur replacing Bhvuneshwar Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav in for Yuzvendra Chahal. The innings got off to a poor start with Shikhar Dhawan dismissed for 4 runs. Virat Kohli looked in brilliant touch hitting the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground. At the end of first 10 overs, India were 67 for 1.
It was an excellent batting display by both Indian batsmen. Virat Kohli completed his half century in 38 balls while Rohit Sharma reached his 50 off 45 balls. Rohit Sharma and Kohli made the batting look easy hitting big shots with ease. The Indian captain completed his 29th century in ODI cricket off 76 balls. Both of them put on 219 runs partnership for the second wicket. Virat Kohli was dismissed for 131 in 96 balls. Hardik Pandya was promoted to number 4. Rohit Sharma completed his 13th ODI century off 85 balls. India lost 3 quick wickets of Pandya, Rohit and KL Rahul.
Manish Pandey and Mahendra Singh Dhoni added 101 runs for the sixth wicket in 12 overs. Both of them took time to settle after losing quick wickets. Playing his 300th ODI match, MS Dhoni showed his class while Manish Pandey also scored his fifty off the last ball. Mahendra Singh Dhoni remained not out on 49. India posted a massive total of 375 for 5.
Chasing a mammoth total of 376, Dickwella and Munaweera gave the team a quick fire start adding 22 runs in 2.4 overs. Shardul Thakur got his maiden ODI wicket by dismissing Dickwella for 14 in 11 balls. At the end of 10 overs, Sri Lanka scored just 40 runs losing 3 wickets.
Thirimane was also dismissed for 18 runs to leave Sri Lanka at 68 for 4. Angelo Mathews and Siriwardana played with positive intent. Mathews completed his half century off 61 balls. Both batsmen added 73 runs for the 5th wicket. Siriwardana was dismissed for 39. Mathews provided resistance for Sri Lanka scoring 70 runs. Sri Lanka was bowled out for 207 in 42.4 overs. India won the match by a massive 168 runs. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Kuldeep Yadav picked 2 wickets each.
India 375 for 5 in 50 overs ( Virat Kohli, 131, Rohit Sharma 104, Manish Pandey 50*, MS Dhoni 49*) beat Sri Lanka 207 in 42.4 overs ( Angelo Mathews 70, Angelo Mathews 2/31) by 168 runs.
Captain and the man of the match Virat Kohli said: It was a clinical performance in today’s match. In the previous three matches we chased down targets, but today we wanted to bat first. We have given chances to 3 players in today’s match. The surface was good to bat on.
India takes a 4-0 lead in the series with a fifth and final match to be played on 3rd September at the same ground.
