“This contest seems between two boxers from different weight categories.”
These words from Harsha Bhogle precisely sum up the contest between India and Sri Lanka. If anyone thought that Sri Lanka would be up for a fight considering a change in the format, then that person was mistaken, as the gap between the two outfits just widened.
The target of 217 was never going to be enough for a batting powerhouse like India, and in conditions which suit them, even 150 more runs wouldn’t have been, after the way the Indian batsmen nailed their task to perfection.
For India though, it was all about Shikhar Dhawan, as the southpaw carried on from where he left in the Test series. Scoring the 11th ton of his ODI career, Dhawan ensured that it was his fastest, as he tore into the mediocre Sri Lankan bowling. The Delhi dasher was simply too dominant and his ruthlessness pretty much defined the chase.
Skipper Virat Kohli chipped in with an entertaining half-century as well to seal the formalities. Fans on Twitter went crazy, as India sealed off the chase with over 20 overs to spare. Below are some of the tweets.
One can understand transition and bad times in batting-bowling….what's gone so horribly wrong with their fielding? Used to be top class…
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 20, 2017
I don't think @SDhawan25 is aware of any fielders on the ground………
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 20, 2017
Shikhar Dhawan..
11th ODI 100
8th 100 in away ODI
6th 100 while chasing
4th 100 at night
3rd v SL
1st in SL
4th in Asia
2nd in 2017#SLvInd— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 20, 2017
You can see why Kohli wants Dhawan in his side. In this form, it seems only Dhawan can get himself out.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/899270050992893952
How the two divisions system is going to solve the problems? It will make the situation even worse for teams like WI, SL, BD and even PAK.
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) August 20, 2017
Fastest 100s for India v SL (balls):
66 Sehwag, Rajkot, 2009
71 DHAWAN, today
75 Sehwag, Premadasa, 2009
76 Kohli, Hobart, 2012#SLvIND— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) August 20, 2017
Dhawan and Sri Lanka is turning out to be quite a remarkable love story. Fantastic 100 again from @SDhawan25 #INDvSL
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 20, 2017
#Dhawan has made one of the strongest comebacks in international cricket. Never easy. His trollers – Plz stand up and applaud #SLvIND
— Mikkhail Vaswani (@MikkhailVaswani) August 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/SirJadejaaaa/status/899280364241207296
She: Surprise me.
Shikhar Dhawan:
Scored 338 runs in Champions trophy.
Scored 2 centuries in test against SL.
Started ODI series with a 100— sunil the cricketer (@1sInto2s) August 20, 2017
Shikhar Dhawan:
First 50 Runs: 36 Balls
Next 50 Runs: 35 Balls— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) August 20, 2017
BHOOMI PUJAN meme makers, searching for a new job…#MissionLanka
Shikhar Dhawan #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/IBLaeqEv4G— Vaishali♀️ (@vaishali_45) August 20, 2017
Back to back ODI 100s against SL. Gabbar all the way. #INDvSL
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) August 20, 2017
#INDvSL
When you are playing cricket & suddenly your dad shouts out at you? pic.twitter.com/wUSlchQOtT— Sagnik Misra (@Sangy_Sagnik) August 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/SirJadejaaaa/status/899282723000393728
https://twitter.com/RoyalViratian/status/899279889143967746
Feel Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav should open the batting to get any chance of batting for the rest of the series. #INDvSL
— Tracer Bullet (@ravimaestri) August 20, 2017