Virat Kohli Scores India defeated Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the first One-day international match played at Basapara Stadium, Guhwati on 10 January 2023. Former India captain Virat Kohli smashed a blistering ton as well.
Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and decided to field first. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a flying start to the Indian team putting pressure on Lankan bowlers right from word go. The Indian openers put on 143 runs for the opening wicket in quick time laying a strong foundation for a massive total.
Kohli came to the crease and looked in great touch on a placid batting pitch. Indian batters made use of conditions to keep pressure on Lankan bowlers. Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul provided decent support with attacking shots maintaining the momentum. He completed his fifty off just 47 balls with a six. The Indian batting kept putting enough pressure on Lankan bowlers with boundaries at regular intervals.
He was given a reprieve twice as Kusal Mendis dropped a simple catch and then Dasun Shanaka dropped his catch. He kept the momentum going for Team India reaching his 45th ODI century off 80 balls. Thanks to a superb batting effort, India posted a massive total of 373 for 7 in 50 overs.
Indian bowling kept it tight with Mohammed Siraj picking up 2 early wickets of Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis. Charith Asalanaka and Pathum Nissanka steadied the ship with the required run rate climbing. Umran Malik got the breakthrough dismissing Asalanaka down the leg. Asalanaka and Nissanka added 41 runs for the 3rd wicket. Dhanajaya de Silva and Nissanka looked impressive with their shots. Both Sri Lankan batters made the batting look easy before Shami struck to dismiss Dhanajaya. Dhanajaya and Nissanka added 72 runs for the 4th wicket.
The Indian bowlers kept picking wickets at regular intervals to reduce Sri Lanka to 206 for 8. Dasun Shanaka looked impressive in his shots with Kasun Rajitha providing good support. Shanaka completed a half-century off 50 balls. It was one-way traffic, but Shanaka showed his class remaining not out on 108. Shanaka and Rajitha added unbeaten 100 runs for the 9th wicket. The Indian team won the match easily. For his 113, Virat Kohli was named player of the match.
Here is how Twitterati reacted to the ton of Virat Kohli:
Back to back 💯s for Virat Kohli in ODI👏
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 10, 2023
Virat Kohli raising bat with one hand and trophy with another. 2023, be kind.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) January 10, 2023
Celebration of Virat Kohli after completing his 45th ODI century. pic.twitter.com/YDWljF6EgT
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) January 10, 2023
“Back to back hundreds for Virat Kohli”
Who would’ve thought? 😭❤️
— Sonali (@samtanisonali1) January 10, 2023
Major difference between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is that after getting set Rohit tries to put pressure on the bowler and Virat plays his game by taking single double and scores his hundred. Reason of difference of 100s between them.
— ANSHUMAN🚩 (@AvengerReturns) January 10, 2023
Historic – Virat Kohli has surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to have most centuries against Sri Lanka in ODIs.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 10, 2023
KING KOHLI 🐐
— HH12 (@Hip_hop_india12) January 10, 2023
The king is here! #ViratKohli
— Abhi and Niyu (@abhiandniyu) January 10, 2023
45th ODI CENTURY.
No one is better. No one is closer when it comes to this format. Take a bow, Virat Kohli. #INDvSL— Prajakta (@18prajakta) January 10, 2023
What a start for 2023, here's the 73rd century of Virat Kohli!❤️ #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/Zk2QC6097N
— 𝐀𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐲𝐚𝐡 | hbd vami♥️ (@Aaliya_Zain5) January 10, 2023
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