Rohit Sharma 3rd double century helped India defeat Sri Lanka by a massive 141 runs margin in the second One day international played at PCA Stadium, Mohali few moments. Thisara Perera won a crucial toss and elected to field first. Rohit Sharma took time to settle and then smashed Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground. He remained not out on 208, taking team India’s total to 393. In reply, Sri Lanka was never in the hunt and scored 251 for 8 in 50 overs.
Sri Lankan captain Thisara Perera won the toss again and invited India into bat. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma did not commit the same mistakes from the previous match. In the first 10 overs, both openers added 33 runs. Dhawan looked in aggressive touch while Rohit Sharma also played well with responsibility. Both of them the Sri Lankan bowlers with ease and hit bad balls away for boundaries. Shikhar Dhawan reached his fifty off 47 balls. Both Rohit Sharma and Dhawan added 115 runs for the first wicket. The left-handed batsman was dismissed for 68.
Shreyas Iyer playing the second match looked in an aggressive mood. Captain Sharma completed his fifty off 65 balls. Both Mumbai batsmen played with positive intent and smashed the Sri Lankan bowlers. Iyer reached his first ODI fifty off 50 balls while captain Sharma reached his 16th ODI century in 115 balls. After completing his century, the captain played with a lot of freedom and smashed all the bowlers. Rohit Sharma took only 18 balls to reach his 150. Iyer was dismissed for 88. The second wicket pair added 213 runs for the second wicket.
Rohit Sharma continued his power hitting and reached his third double century in ODI cricket off 151 balls. He remained not out on 208. India posted a massive total of 392 for 4.
Chasing the total of 393, the Sri Lankan innings got off to a poor start losing an early wicket of Upul Tharanga for 7 runs. Gunathilaka was too dismissed for 16 runs. At the end of first 10 overs, visitors scored just 41 runs. After the powerplay overs, Thirimanne and Mathews added 32 runs for the third wicket. Their experienced player Angelo Mathews was the lone batsman to contribute some runs. Dickwella scored 22, Gunarante also contributed 34 runs. Mathews completed his fifty in 60 balls.
Mathews scored a brilliant 111 not out. Despite his efforts, Sri Lanka was restricted to 251 for 8 in 50 overs.
India 392 for 4 in 50 overs ( Rohit Sharma 208*, Shreyas Iyer 88, Shikhar Dhawan 68) beat Sri Lanka 251 for 8 in 50 overs ( Mathews 111*, Yuzvendra Chahal 3/60, Bumrah 2/43) by 141 runs.
Captain Upul Tharanga said: This was not our day. Rohit Sharma played a great knock. We had Plan A, B, and C but nothing clicked today. In batting, Mathews scored the century. The series is nicely set and would like to come back in third ODI.
Captain and Man of the match Rohit Sharma: It was an excellent day for the team. After the loss in first ODI at Dharamshala, I wanted the team to win today. It was my 3rd double century in ODI cricket. The conditions in Vizag will be different and we are looking forward to a team. There was a lot of dew in the second innings, so it was important to get a big score.
The series is level at 1-1 and deciding match will be played at Vizag on 17th December.
