The Indian cricket fans could not have asked for a better Independence Day gift, as Team India thrashed Sri Lanka by an innings and 171 runs to complete its first three-Test series sweep on a foreign soil on Monday (August 14).
Virat Kohli & Co. had already sealed the three-match series 2-0 and completed the whitewash at Pallekele inside three days, bowling Sri Lanka out for 135 and 181 after scoring 487 in the first innings.
The series win is India’s eighth consecutive victory under Virat Kohli. Prior to the latest series win, India defeated Sri Lanka and South Africa in 2015 before winning against West Indies (2-0), New Zealand (3-0), England (4-0), Bangladesh (1-0) and Australia (2-1) last year. With 125 points, the Kohli-led side is currently the best Test side in the world, leading second-placed South Africa by a huge gap of 15 rating points.
The win against Sri Lanka came just a day before the 70th Independence Day, giving the fans one more reason to savour the historic day and cricketers across the globe have also wished the whole nation on such a big occasion:
Here are some of the messages:
Remembering our freedom fighters,soldiers &everyone who made this possible.May we have freedom from poverty & hatred.#IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/3TyrcJQr82
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 15, 2017
Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country! Happy Independence Day! #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/22ms3wWGDc
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 15, 2017
Proud to be a part of a glorious nation..
May the Indian tricolor always fly high..#HappyIndependanceDay #IndependenceDayIndia #Freedom70 pic.twitter.com/pvMb5JwniC— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) August 15, 2017
A special day for every Indian..may we always stand united for our country. #HappyIndependenceDay
— cheteshwar pujara (@cheteshwar1) August 15, 2017
We are 70 and getting stronger by the day. Happy 70 to all Indians across the globe. #Independence #august15th pic.twitter.com/BBqE3Ak1AX
— Ashwin ?? (@ashwinravi99) August 15, 2017
May the Indian tricolor always fly high. Warm wishes on the grand occasion of Independence Day??
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) August 15, 2017
Happy independence day to all pic.twitter.com/Hz3NKvZf2P
— Mohammad Shami (@MdShami11) August 15, 2017
Wishing everyone a very Happy Independence day ???? jai hind
— Umesh Yaadav (@y_umesh) August 15, 2017
On this Independence day let us celebrate the bravery of our ancestors& their gift of freedom?May the Indian Tricolor always fly high? pic.twitter.com/DuHnJqBBDt
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 15, 2017
Proud to b born in this great land.May our flag always keep flying high.Tributes to all who made our freedom possible#IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/GjJnF8zonc
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 15, 2017
Salute to our freedom fighters – heroes who have found place in the history books and those who haven't. Happy Independence Day.#वंदेमातरम
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) August 15, 2017
Eventually, we get there. Wish we could just do it quicker. That's my wish for India this Independence Day.#IndependenceDayIndia ??
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) August 14, 2017
Happy #IndependenceDay mate & to all my friends over there in India !!!!! ? https://t.co/1ENv5eRGN5
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) August 15, 2017
Happy Independence Day India !!!
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) August 15, 2017
My belief remains the same for 15 August.Have a strong intention for becoming a better human being and a good Indian.#IndiaIndependanceDay
— Saqlain Mushtaq (@Saqlain_Mushtaq) August 14, 2017