Sri Lanka suffered their fourth white-wash against India in ODIs. After batting first, riding on the back of centuries from Shubman Gill (116) and Virat Kohli (166*), India posted a gigantic total of 390/6.
In reply, Sri Lankan batters were undone by 'Miyan magic'. Mohammed Siraj led the charge with a four-wicket haul in the first powerplay and helped India register a 317-run win. Kohli’s second century of the series helped him fetch the player of the match as well as the player of the series award. There were plenty of stats from the third ODI:
Kohli registers 21st home ton in ODIs
For three years, the greatest batter of the modern era couldn't score a century in ODIs. Now, in a span of four innings, he has three centuries. After registering his 46th ton, Kohli is ever so close to emulate Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 in ODIs. In his innings of an unbeaten 166, he registered few records:
He still needs four centuries to break Sachin’s record overall. However, with his 21st home century, he went past Sachin’s tally of 20. He now has the most tons for a batter in home conditions.
When he reached 120, Kohli went past MS Dhoni’s record of 2383 runs against Sri Lanka in ODIs. With 2503 runs against the island nation, he now has the second most runs after Sachin (3113).
At the end of India’s innings, Kohli had 12754 runs at an average of 58.2. He surpassed Mahela Jayawardene’s tally of 12650 runs to become the fifth highest run scorer in the format.
In his innings, Kohli hit eight sixes, which is the most for him in an international innings. Before this innings, against Australia (ODI) in 2013 and against West Indies (T20I) in 2019, he had hit seven.
Kohli registered 150 off just 106 balls, which is the second fastest by an Indian in ODIs, after Ishan Kishan’s 103-ball feat against Bangladesh in 2022.
In ODI’s this was Kohli’s 10th ton against Sri Lanka. By virtue of it, he became the first ever batter to hit 10 tons against an opponent in this format.
This was Kohli’s fifth score of 150+ in ODIs, the joint-third most for a batter. Rohit Sharma with eight leads the list followed by David Warner (6). Chris Gayle and Sachin are tied at third with Kohli.
His unbeaten knock of 166 is his second highest score in ODIs, after the 183 against Pakistan in 2013 in Mirpur. At home, this is his highest score.
The biggest ever win
After putting on valiant efforts in the T20I series and the first two ODIs, Sri Lanka looked hapless in the third ODI. Despite chasing a mammoth target of 373 in the first, Sri Lanka lost by only 67 runs. However, in the third, overall, they could score only 73.
In the process, they handed India the biggest ever margin of win by runs in ODIs. They are the first team to lose by a 300+run margin.
Adding salt to their wound, the total of 73/9 is also their lowest total against India in the format. Previously, they were all out for 96 twice. In 1984 in Sharjah and in 2013 in Port of Spain.
The first team to post 10 totals of 350 against opposition
When India scored 373 in the first ODI, they had the most 350+ totals against an opposition, emulating Australia’s record of eight against India. With another total of 350+ (390/6), India became the first team to post 10 totals of 350+ against an opponent.
Also, their total of 390/6 is the fourth highest against Sri Lanka in this format. Interestingly, all the top three are acquired by India, the highest being 414/7 in 2009 in Rajkot.
A feisty start from Siraj
Siraj has been India’s enforcer in the first powerplay with the ball, post 2019 World Cup. His 23 wickets in this phase, are the most for any bowler from the top 10 ranked teams, post the WC.
In today’s game, he bagged four wickets inside the first powerplay and registered the second-best spell for an Indian bowler inside the first 10 overs, since 2000 in a complete 50-over match.
Out of the nine, seven of his wickets came in the first 10 overs, which is the most for an Indian bowler in a bilateral series (where ball data available), since 2000.
Sri Lanka rocked by India’s one of best starts
Chasing a huge total, Sri Lanka lost the game in the first 10 overs of their innings. Miyan magic was too hot to handle for them, and they saw themselves tottering at 37/5 in this phase.
In an ODI innings since 2000, only once have Indian bowlers performed better than this. In 2022 against England, they had reduced them to 30/5, their best start with the ball.
Most wins against a team
Sri Lanka suffered yet another low point against India in ODIs. Overall, this was India’s 96th win against Sri Lanka, the most for a team against an opposition.
Before this win, they were tied with Australia’s 95 wins against New Zealand. In both the limited over formats, Sri Lanka hold the record of having most losses against a team, and both against India. In T20Is, they have lost 19 matches.