India races to t20 series victory

Rohit Sharma bulldozed the Sri Lankan attack with a whirlwind record-equalling 35-ball century and powered India to its T20 series victory over Sri Lanka here on Friday.

India scored 260 for five in its 20 overs and restricted the visitor to 172 after Rohit Sharma equalled South African David Miller’s record of 35-ball century, en route to a hurricane knock of 118, his second T20 hundred and the best by an Indian in this format.

In an incredible display of hitting, rather punishing of the bowlers, the Indian captain smashed 12 fours and 10 sixes during his 43-ball stay at the crease. It was not power-hitting but sheer elegance which came with remarkable ease. There was never a dull moment till the time Rohit was at the crease as he pulled, cut and drove the clueless Lankan bowlers at will.

In the process he raised a 165-run stand for the first wicket, the highest for India, with KL Rahul, who scored 89 off 49 balls. India’s total is joint second highest in T20Is with only Australia’s 263 for three against Sri Lanka being a better effort. Sri Lanka had scored 260-6 against Kenya at Johannesburg in 2007.

Before being caught at short third man off DushmanthaChameera, the Indian captain left the Lankans shell-shockedbut delighted the home fans at the jam-packed Holkar stadium, hosting its first ever T20 International.

He seem to have taken a special liking for the Lankans against whom he raised his third ODI double century, just eight days back. Rahul, who was dropped on six, was also impressive with his stroke-making, especially the sixes in the ‘V’. He missed out on his hundred, though, after being caught sensationally by Niroshan Dickwella off Nuwan Pradeep in the 19th over. His knock had five fours and eight sixes.

The Indian openers literally toyed with the Sri Lankanpacers, who ended up leaking 43 runs in the first five overs.Pradeep, introduced in the fifth over as first bowling change,was hit for 17 runs. Both Rohit and Rahul hit a six eachoff him.

After a 109-run second wicket stand between Upul Tharanga and Kusal Perera, Sri Lanka lost seven wickets for 29 runs in three overs.