Eden Gardens got the 150th anniversary gift from Rohit Sharma and India, as Rohit went on to score mammoth 264 runs shattering all international ODI record, while India amassed its 5th 400+ ODI score. Sri Lanka already trailing 3-0 in the series have an uphill task. Even last time they fell short by 3 runs while chasing 414 runs against India at Rajkot in 2009. How much short will they fall today? Or can they take revenge?
Dilshan, Sangakkara and Mahela played then too and almost gave a scare to India in the chase of 414 runs in 2009 at Rajkot. Today they need to score 405 runs as India has reached 404/5.
Rohit Sharma came to open the batting and got out on the last ball of Indian innings. In between he added 264 runs, a world record and the second highest List A score. ODIs have seen now the 4th 200+ individual score. All of them coming from Indians. Rohit Sharma raced ahead of Sachin and Sehwag by scoring the second 200+ score in ODIs.
He was dropped on 4 runs by Thisara Perera after facing 16 balls. After that he reached 72-ball 50 runs, then run-a-ball 100 runs. After that he just raced for 125-ball 150 runs, 151-ball 200 runs, 166-ball 250 runs and then finally 173 ball-264 runs with 33 boundaries and 9 sixes at a strike rate of 152.60.
In between he added 202 runs with Captain Kohli for the third wicket in 25.5 overs. Kohli was run out on 66 runs. Rahane (28), Rayudu (3), Raina (11) and Uthappa (unbeaten 16 runs) were the Indian batsmen. There were only 11 extras.
On the day when Bowlers were hit all over the park, captain Angelo Mathews had a figure of 2/44 in 8 overs with the only maiden of the innings. Kulasekara almost completed his century with 1/89 in 9 overs. Eranga had 1/77, Prasanna had 0/70 in 10 overs. Return of Ajantha Mendis, who was picked in ICC ODI team was forgotten as he gave 70 runs without wicket in just 7 overs.
Now, over to Sri Lanka to get some respect at least with some good chase, even if they lose.
Leave a Reply