India vs Sri Lanka 4th ODI Highlights: After Rohit Sharma's 264, Dhawal Kulkarni Bowls India to Big Win
India defeat Sri Lanka by 153 runs in the fourth ODI with Rohit Sharma (264) and Dhawal Kulkarni (4/37) emerging as heroes with the bat and ball, respectively. Here are the highlights from the match.
An all-round performance from a dominant Indian team helped hosts defeat Sri Lanka by 153 runs. Powered by Rohit Sharma's record 264 and Dhawal Kulkarni's four wickets, India registered fourth consecutive win against Sri Lanka. Catch the highlights from the Eden Gardens ODI on Thursday. ( SCORECARD/SCHEDULE/NEWS)
That's all the action from today. The next and final match of the series will be played on November 16 in Ranchi.
2116 (IST): No surprises as Rohit picks up the man of the match award. "I just wanted to bat throughout the 50 overs. I am glad I did just that. Wanted to make it count - 100, 150, 200 and 250, that was the objective," he said. Asked if 300 was on the cards, Rohit brandished a smile. "I would like to get there some day but for now, will take 264.
2114 (IST):Virat Kohli applauds Rohit's effort. "I can tell my kids I was right there when 264 was hit," said the Indian captain. He further promised that India won't go easy on Sri Lanka in the final match. " I want India to be known as a team which never gives up."
2110 (IST): A visibly distraught Angelo Matthews slams Sri Lankan team. "We are not even competing. This is embarrassing performance form us. Our bowlers did not have any answers today," he said. "But I won't take anything away from Rohit because he batted brilliantly," he said at the post match ceremony.
2102 (IST): While Rohit was surely the biggest hero of the day, Kulkarni will add to his confidence after a good bowling display today. "I stuck to my basics, did not rely much on pace," he said after the match. He also praised Kohli's captaincy. "Kohli supported me well, he's a very flexible captain."
2100 (IST): In the end, the Sri Lankan team falls 13 short of Rohit's individual score. A memorable day for Indian cricket indeed.
2058 (IST): OUT! Akshar Patel claims the final Sri Lankan wicket as India win by 153 runs at Eden. This is their fourth straight win against the Sri Lankans with one match left to be played in the series.
2037 (IST): OUT! And it is Kulkarni's fourth. Perera walks back on 11 with India now just a wicket away from a win.
2036 (IST):OUT! Kulkarni wrecking Sri Lankan tail. He makes Kulasekara his third victim.
2029 (IST):OUT! Kulkarni strikes again in the same over. He finds the edge off Perera's bat. The Sri Lankan has to walk back after scoring 29 off 29. Two wickets in the final batting power-play adds to visitors' woes.
2025 (IST):OUT! Another batsman with a half-century departs. Thirimanne (59) looks to take the aerial route against Kulkarni but his swing fails to breach the inner circle. Kohli completes a fine catch. Sri Lanka need another 187 off 82.
2019 (IST): Meanwhile, Cricket Association of Bengal has announced a cash reward of Rupees 2.64 lakhs for Rohit for his knock today.
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2010 (IST): Perera takes on Karn Sharma and finds boundaries galore. The 34th over sees three sixes and a four. Interestingly, Sri Lanka slightly ahead in score than India were at this stage. India were 210/2 while Sri Lanka are 211 and need 194 from 16 overs.
2000 (IST): Fifty for Thirimanne. The batsman slams his eight overall and third fifty against India.
1946 (IST): OUT! Angelo Matthews falls to Akshar Patel's spin. He stepped out to meet the ball but the bowler was smart enough to pull it back in the nick of time to help Uthappa complete a fine stumping.
1935 (IST): Did you know? Mahendra Singh Dhoni predicted Rohit Sharma's historic knock. (Read more here)
1928 (IST): Fifty for Matthews. Sri Lankan captain completes his 24th ODI fifty but is unable to bring any smile on the faces of his teammates.
1913 (IST): Captain Matthews tries to win back some respect for his side, moves into 40s.
1900 (IST): Catch the recap of Rohit's thunderous knock, in pics.
1840 (IST): Matthews and Thirimanne in the middle for Sri Lanka. India bring in Dhawal Kulkarni - a chance for the lesser-known players to make a mark for themselves considering the absolute lack of pressure on them.
1829 (IST): OUT! Another veteran falls. Binny removes Dilshan who was looking at a semblance of a fight.
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1825 (IST): OUT! It is Mahela Jayawardene's turn to walk back as Umesh celebrates his second wicket of the day.
1817 (IST): Dilshan in T20 mode! Veteran cricketer has his back to the wall but finds a few boundaries to keep the score ticking.
1810 (IST):OUT! Dinesh Chandimal falls to Stuart Binny - caught at short cover. Sri Lanka now two men down and any hopes of a miraculous fightback appears miniscule.
1747 (IST): OUT! So much for an explosive start. Perera looks to cut a short and wide delivery but when it isn't your day, it just isn't. He gets a top edge and Karn Sharma catches the ball at mid on.
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1745 (IST): The Sri Lankan innings begins. What would be on the mind of openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kusal Perera with 405 as the target?
1737 (IST): Is scoring record 264 tiring? "I am not tired, I am coming from a two-month break and was determined to stay as long as possible," said Rohit after the innings.
1725 (IST): More trivia:
Rohit's score today is 18 more than the average ODI team total in a decade.
Rohit went from 50 to 250 in 94 balls.
1720 (IST):Did you know? Rohit's 264 is 31 more than Sri Lanka's team average in the last three ODIs!
1716 (IST): Rohit Sharma falls on 264 off the last delivery of the innings. India finish with 404/5 on board.
1712 (IST): 250 for Rohit! An epic knock that refuses to end - much to Indian fans' pleasure.
1706 (IST): Rohit in absolutely no mood to take a break. He continues unabated with boundaries and sixes after becoming the highest ODI scorer, is toying with the bowling. Of course, he has been dropped twice since he completed his 200.
1701 (IST): Record broken! Rohit Sharma is the new highest ODI individual scorer. He overtakes compatriot Sehwag's record of 219 with an effortless six.
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1659 (IST): Rohit is shattering records. He overtakes his own 209.
1654 (IST): And it is a double century from Rohit Sharma! What a knock and what a cheer from the Eden crowd as Rohit becomes the first and only batsman to register two double centuries in ODIs. He also overtakes Sachin's 200* once again. Next up: his own record of 209 and Virender Sehwag's ultimate record of 219.
1645 (IST):Rohit in 190s! He is now the only batsman in the history of ODIs to score 190+ twice.
1637 (IST): Rohit has slowed down his pace slightly since the fall of the two wickets - Kohli and Raina. He has Robin Uthappa for company.
Another 200 on the cards for Sharma... Good to watch.
- Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) November 13, 2014
1629 (IST): WICKET! Raina falls trying to go for the big shots. India 276/4 in 40.2 overs.
1626 (IST): India well poised to get a huge score as they have wickets in hand with 10 overs left to be bowled. India 275/3 vin 40 overs.
1621 (IST): OUT! Tragic run-out ends Kohli's innings on 66. He hit the ball down leg-side and hesitated a bit for the second but a returning Rohit meant he had to go for it. No batsman likes to get out but Kohli is famous for absolutely hating it. Today, he walks off in a huff.
1618 (IST): 150 for Rohit! This is utter destruction and perhaps, history in the making!
Rohit Sharma, from one double ton to another (probably). Because a century is just too mainstream.
- Prakash G (@PrakashG_89) November 13, 2014
1610 (IST): Half century for Kohli! India captain combines with Rohit to demolish Sri Lankan bowling. Watch out for a plethora of records.
1559 (IST): Even as noise in Eden subsides after Rohit's century, the local fans gear up to celebrate yet another milestone - Kohli's fifty. He is on 45.
1549 (IST): The Rohit impact on India's innings today - his first 50 took 72 balls, second came off 28!
Great start to the season with a superlative century @ImRo45. Well done! Keep it up! #IndvSL
- Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) November 13, 2014
1545 (IST): A 100-ball century for Rohit! A fantastic knock from the man making his comeback. He plays the ball to the leg-side, raises his arms and goes down on his knees to acknowledge the cheer. A look towards the sky also shows what this innings means to him. This is also his second ton vs Sri Lanka.
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1537 (IST): There seems to be no stopping Rohit today. He may not have scored an ODI century since his 209 against Australia in Bangalore (November, 2013). Today, he looks determined to reach the three-figure mark.
1525 (IST): Virat and Shikhar may be India's entry in the top-five list of ICC ODI batsmen currently. Watch out though for Rohit Sharma who is finding boundaries without a sweat since hitting his fifty,.
1518 (IST): This Rohit-Virat partnership can really hurt Sri Lanka. Both batsmen excel in each other's company. (Read: Virat says Rohit will be India's 'X' factor in World Cup)
1512 (IST): FIFTY for Rohit! He looked a bit out of sorts at the start today but has since paced his innings well. He takes the help of five 4s to complete his 24th ODI fifty off 72 balls.
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1509 (IST): India complete 100 runs in 22.2 overs.
1508 (IST): Mendis comes into the attack in the 23rd over. With eight IPL wickets, he has the experience to make most of Indian conditions. His battle with Kohli and Rohit should be an interesting contest.
1455 (IST): In this year, Sri Lanka captain Matthews is the third highest wicket taker in ODIs. He has 25 scalps - four behind compatriot Lasith Malinga. The list is led by India's Mohammad Shami but Matthews' claim to fame is that he has played in fewer matches than Shami and Malinga. For the highest ODI wicket taker in 2013, this year though has been a bit unkind. Saeed Ajmal (62 wickets from 33 matches) may have been included in the provisional Pakistan side for the World Cup but his team has hardly missed him as it defeated New Zealand by 248 runs today. (Scorecard | Report)
1445 (IST): Did you know? Rohit scored 142 off 111 for India A against Sri Lanka in a tour match before this series. He hit 18 4s and a six in what was a whirlwind knock. Today, he once again looks for milestones although he has been comparatively slower.
Big game for @ImRo45. Good for him to have @imVkohli bat with him. They rate each other big time.
- Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 13, 2014
1440 (IST): Dropped on 4, Rohit looks to bat his usual way and has found a few boundaries to please local fans. He has captain Kohli for company. India 70/2 after 15.
1429 (IST): OUT! Eranga gets a wicket and it is a beauty. Rayudu (8) looks to work the ball towards mid-wicket but misses the ball completely - off-stump goes for multiple somersaults. India 59/2 after 13.
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1419 (IST): It would be interesting to see when Matthews gets his spinners on especially as Ajantha Mendis had previously said that the Eden track will assist slower bowlers. (Read report here) Meanwhile, India complete 50 runs in 10.2 overs.
1414 (IST): India's scoring has slowed down a bit since Rahane's departure. Rohit continues to be watchful - understandable since he is making his comeback after suffering an injury. Ambati Rayudu has also looked like he is in no hurry to punish the opposition. India 46/1 after 10.
1402 (IST): OUT! Rahane's aggression comes to an abrupt end, Matthews traps him LBW after the batsman scored 28 brisk runs from 24 deliveries. It was a bad attempt on part of the batsman to stay on the back foot and try to guide the ball to the leg side - the ball missing the bat's edge but it is doubtful if it would have hit the top of the stumps. What matters is that the umpire thought it would have. India 40/1 after 7.5.
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1354 (IST):Did you know? The last ODI at Eden Gardens - between India and West Indies - was called off recently. The one before that (January 3, 2013) saw Pakistan defeat India by 85 runs. In the match, Pakistan scored a moderate 250 with Ishant claiming three wickets. The chase did not go as per plans with Mahendra Singh Dhoni's 51* the only innings of substance. That side also had veterans Virender Sehwag (31), Gautam Gambhir (11) and Yuvraj Singh (9).
1346 (IST): Dropped! Massive lifeline for Rohit (4). The ball flies to third man after taking the outside edge of the bat but Thisara Perera drops a regulation catch. Sri Lankan shoulders are already drooping.
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1342 (IST): Rahane's confident batting at the start has forced Matthews to make his first bowling change after just four overs. He brings in Shaminda Eranga.
1330 (IST): India off to a good start with three boundaries coming from Ajinkya Rahane's bat in the first over. He is in the middle with Rohit who is a bit cautious compared to his partner. Meanwhile, this is what happened just before the toss:
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13:00 (IST): Toss time: Virat Kohli has won and he chooses to bat first. India have made three changes. Rohit Sharma is in for Shikhar Dhawan, Karn Sharma for Ravichandran Ashwin. Also, Stuart Binny replaces the injured Ishant Sharma. Sri Lanka have made four changes, all the new guys brought into the squad are in the eleven while Sangakkara has been rested. Kohli says he opted to bat since the ball might do something later on under the lights. Mathews says he would have liked to bat first too on the Eden Gardens track.
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PREVIEW
Both India and Sri Lanka will go in with new teams and different aspirations. Robin Uthappa, who came in for wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, and Rohit Sharma, who replaced the series' top scorer Shikhar Dhawan, will bolster the batting as Virat Kohli's team aims to whitewash the Lankans for the first time since 1982. All-rounder Stuart Binny will also fancy his chances.
The Sri Lankans have looked all at sea. They have played far below potential with skipper Angelo Mathews being the lone ranger. Veteran star Mahela Jayawardene slammed a century in Motera but the effort went in vain. The former captain could open the innings as Sri Lanka look for more consistency at the top of the order.
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The experimenting Sri Lankans have brought in fresh legs. The inspirational Kumar Sangakkara strangely lacked intent in this series and was rightly sent home along with three others. The Lankan middle-order will be bolstered by Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne. The bowling should see the return of Ajantha Mendis and Shaminda Eranga. Mystery offie Mendis has played more matches (17) and taken more wickets (32) against India, than against any other opposition.
Kohli is having a good time with the bat and as stand-in skipper. He will be happy to see the return of Rohit Sharma, who he reckons as India's X-factor in the World Cup next year.
"Captaincy gives me an opportunity to actually open up my vision and the ideas I have, and actually implement them on the field. I strongly believe in whatever I do on the field, and that's why more often than not, we're able to execute those plans," said Kohli in Kolkata on Wednesday.
These are brave words from a young captain who loves to lead by example. The immediate future in Australia will reveal his real ability.