The
nightmare is over at last – Srilanka did play good cricket today .. Angelo
Mathews led from front making a grand century after 24 fifties. 137 from 113 balls
with 10 sixers. In the last 10 overs
they scored 114 runs – the only blot was the final over of Dhawal Kulkarni in
which SL managed only 4 – and that included 2 wides bowled.
Lanka
had the right start too – Mathews removed both Rahane and Sharma in single
digits – Indians down 14/2 before Rayudu and Kohli had 136 runs partnership
when Rayudu was run out – 180 Uthappa gone; 215 Jadhav gone; 231 Binny; 231
Ashwin gone – still 57 runs to go – there was a match – but not when Kohli is
still batting.
Akhsar
Patel looked confident – before that in over no. 43 of Eranga, Kohli with a
clam dab reached his 21st century. Quite
outstanding !!! Only Tendulkar (49 / 452 innings); Ricky Ponting (30 / 365);
Sanath Jayasuriya (28 / 433); Sourav Ganguly (22 / 300) above him. He is on par with Hershelle Gibbs (21 / 240)
and Chris Gayle (21 / 253) …… Virat Kohli has taken only 138 innings to reach
this magical figure.
Perhaps the only time when Kohli was down (photo credit BCCI)
In the
penultimate over, India required 13 off 12 – first of Mendis disappeared over
long on – a helicopter, this time from Virat
and the 4th ball 6 sealed the Series – Kohli 139 not out.
With regards – S.
Sampathkumar.
16.11.14 @ 21.35
hrs.