3rd ODI: India sweep to 3-0 series win against Sri Lanka with a 317-run thrashing

Jan 16, 2023

3rd ODI: India sweep to 3-0 series win against Sri Lanka with a 317-run thrashing Image

In the third and final match of the series, India defeated Sri Lanka by 317 runs, the largest margin of victory in ODI history, at Greenfield International Stadium on Sunday.

Sri Lanka crumbled like a pack of cards after Virat Kohli dished out another batting masterclass on a placid pitch and Shubman Gill strengthened his chances of being a long-term opener with his second century, propelling India to a mammoth 390/5 on a slow, flat pitch.

They were all out for 73 in 22 overs, the fourth-lowest total in the format's history. Mohammed Siraj took advantage of the ball moving around to run through the top order and pick up his career-best figures of 4-32 in ten overs, while Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav had figures of 2-20 and 2-16, respectively, in India's resounding victory.

Under the pressure of the scoreboard, Sri Lanka simply wilted and couldn't fight back. Siraj, who has been instrumental in India's ODI power-play success, delivered the first blow by having Avishka Fernando edge straight to first slip for a low catch.

Siraj used his wobble-seam delivery in his next over to force Kusal Mendis to nick behind to the keeper. Shami was up next, forcing Charith Asalanka to punch to the backward point.

Nuwanidu Fernando went for an expansive drive to an outswinger and was chopped onto his stumps, giving Siraj his third wicket. Siraj got his wobble-seam delivery to nip back in from outside off and rattle Wanindu Hasaranga's off-stump in the final over of the first Power-play.

Panic ensued, resulting in a bizarre run-out of Chamika Karunaratne, who was out of the crease after defending against Siraj, and saw the bowler fire in a direct hit at the striker's end.

The crumbling continued with Kuldeep drawing Dasun Shanaka forward and then castling him through the gate. Dunith Wellalage, coming in as a concussion substitute for Jeffrey Vandersay after his nasty collision with Ashen Bandara while fielding, chipped a drive straight to point off Shami.

With Bandara absent injured, Kuldeep finished off the match by castling Lahiru Kumara and ending a 22-run partnership for the ninth wicket, completing a monstrous victory for India.

Brief scores: India 390/5 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 166 not out, Shubman Gill 116, Kasun Rajitha 2-81, Lahiru Kumara 2-87) beat Sri Lanka 73 all out in 22 overs (Nuwanidu Fernando 19; Mohammed Siraj 4-32, Kuldeep Yadav 2-16) by 317 runs