As India take on Sri Lanka in the first game of the five-match affair in Dambulla on Sunday, the focus shall remain on the ever magnanimous Virat Kohli. The Indian captain, who took over the side’s reign across limited overs earlier this year, has had a fantastic run with the bat as well as enjoyed his leadership duties.
This year under his captaincy, India defeated England 2-1 at home, in a series that came on the backdrop of some scintillating batting performances. Post that, Kohli-led India’s wagon in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 in England. Though India finished as the runners up, losing to Pakistan at the Oval in the finals, the tournament went down as a positive for the side, given how dominant the men in blue were.
Within the next few days of the final, India travelled to the Caribbean for a short limited-overs tour. The ODI series didn’t test the Indians much, as Kohli further reigned supreme with India winning the series 3-1. In the final game of the series at Jamaica, Kohli put on a show of master class in a run chase, as he scored an impeccable ton to seal off the ODI series.
Now in Sri Lanka, Kohli will further look to pile on India’s strength, as the team looks to lay down its blue prints for the 2019 World Cup in England. Keeping the preparations for the ultimate tournament in mind, this series is a crucial aspect, as several youngsters like KL Rahul and Manish Pandey are bound to be tested.
On Friday, Kohli was in the mood for the ODI series to commence, as he posted a picture of himself on Instagram with the caption,
“At Dambulla for the ODIs now, another beautiful location. ??”.
Judging Kohli’s mindset by that post, it is evident that the hosts are in for some serious trouble, as Kohli will continue to unleash the magic from his willow.