Farveez Maharoof feels that Sunday’s defeat against India will mark as one of the most embarrassing days in Sri Lankan cricket history. The visitors failed to put up a fight against India in the third ODI as they were bundled out for just 73 in reply to India’s 390/5 at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram.
In the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram, Virat Kohli slammed his 74th international century which also happened to be his 46th ODI ton. The right-handed batter’s blitzkrieg of 166 off 110 balls comprised eight sixes and 13 fours. In the run feast, as Team India piled up a mammoth 390/5 in the first innings, opener Shubman Gill (116 off 97 balls) hammered his second hundred in the 50-over format.
Farveez Maharoof Reckons The Defeat Was An Embarrassment For Sri Lanka As They Were Outplayed Across Departments
It was indeed a humiliating defeat for Sri Lanka as they registered an unwanted record to their name. With the 317-run defeat, they have suffered the biggest defeat in ODI history by run-margin. Farveez Mahroof said that the way Sri Lanka played below-par cricket across all departments in the 3rd ODI is not good enough for the international stage.
“One of the most embarrassing days of Sri Lankan cricket for sure. It would be remembered for a record the Sri Lankan team would not want to have in their careers. The way Sri Lanka bowled and fielded and the way they batted, especially, some of the soft dismissals, (it’s) just not good enough in international cricket,” Farveez Maharoof said.
India reached 390/5 in their 50 overs thanks to centuries from opener Shubman Gill (116) and Virat Kohli (166*). Sri Lanka gave absolutely little resistance in their attempt to reach 391 and the game appeared to be over after Mohammed Siraj (4/32) threw a punishing powerplay spell. India defeated the opposition by 317 runs after bowling them out for just 73 runs.
Wasim Jaffer: It Seemed Sri Lanka Did Not Turn Up Although The Pitch Didn’t Look Easy
During the discussion, veteran India opener Wasim Jaffer heaped praise on the Men in Blue’s new-ball attack as Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj ran riot in the powerplay to remove half the Sri Lanka side in the first 10 overs itself.
“This Indian attack, especially with the new ball, looks formidable. Umran Malik wasn’t playing today, but the way Siraj bowled and even (Mohammed) Shami for that matter… The pitch didn’t look easy but it just seemed like Sri Lanka did not turn up. India just outplayed them,” he said.
Wasim Jaffer added that the decision to bat first was a good call as he hailed the Indian top-order Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
“It was a good decision to bat on that wicket. It did look like it was tough to score. But the way Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma started, there was some outstanding cricket played. Phenomenal innings from Kohli; some extraordinary hitting – eight sixes, which we don’t see with Kohli very often,” he said.
Defending 390, India bowled the visitors out for 73 to complete a 3-0 series whitewash. Centuries from Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill powered India to 390 on a slow and seemingly lifeless track before the ball started hooping around under lights.
Pacer Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the Indian bowlers as he took four wickets, and Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav supported him with two each as India bowled Sri Lanka out for 73. India’s victory margin was comfortably the biggest in ODI history.
India 390 for 5 (Kohli 166*, Gill 116, Rajitha 2-81, Kumara 2-87) beat Sri Lanka 73 (Siraj 4-32, Kuldeep 2-16) by 317 runs