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Until recently, Sri Lanka were doing a good job of making their white ball series with India competitive. They won the second T20 and took that series to a decider, and were hoping to do the same in the ODI series as well.
After losing the first two ODIs by 67 runs and four wickets respectively, Sri Lankan fans would have hoped for their team to dig in and win the dead rubber third ODI on Sunday. Instead, they were treated to one of the most humiliating days in Sri Lankan cricket, with India handing out the biggest ever defeat in ODI history.
Here’s a look at how this record-breaking India vs Sri Lanka third ODI unfolded.
India vs Sri Lanka Third ODI: Kohli and Gill Steal the Show
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When Virat Kohli hits form, he really makes the most of it. This time last year, everyone was talking about how Kohli hadn’t scored a century in over 1000 days. Now, they’re talking about how in the past month, he’s scored more runs than he did in all of 2022.
Yet again, Virat Kohli’s big score was the centre piece of an excellent Indian batting performance. Rohit Sharma and Subman Gill combined for an opening partnership of 95 off the first 15.1 overs, with Sharma falling for 42 from 49. This was no respite for Sri Lanka, as India would get to 226/1 before Gill fell on 116 from 97. Kohli continued to step on the gas, driving India all the way to 390/5 from their 50 overs, collecting 166 runs himself at a strike rate of 150.90.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers were woeful, with Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva the only bowler who went for less than a run a ball, and three having economies of 8.00+.
Sri Lanka Fold Like Wet Paper in Reply
Staring down the barrel of 391 required to win, Sri Lanka decided to relieve pressure from their batsmen’s shoulders by only spending a little over an hour in the middle.
Wickets fell early and continuously, as the Sri Lankan batting line up looked like they had already checked in for their flight back home. Only three batsmen reached double digits, as the side folded for 73 all out from 22 overs. In contrast to the Sri Lankan bowlers, India were excellent, with Mohammad Shami’s economy rate of 3.33 the worst in the team. Mohammad Siraj was the pick of the bunch with figures of 32/4 from his ten consecutive overs, in what was one of the more impressive bowling spells by an Indian bowler in white ball cricket.
Worst Ever ODI Defeat in History Recorded by Sri Lanka
The result goes down in history as by far the worst ever in ODI cricket.
Prior to today, the largest margin of victory had been New Zealand over Ireland, where the Kiwis scored 403 then rolled Ireland for 113 for a 290 run win. This win was a whole 27 runs greater by India, with the home side recording a 317 run win. Sri Lanka now hold the unenvious record of being the only full Test nation to feature twice in the top five largest ODI defeats.
For India, they will be pleased that their white ball engine is humming along well ahead of a home series against an in-form New Zealand later this week. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, need to go home and do some soul searching—thankfully, they have a couple months off now before New Zealand visit as well.
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