Indian star cricketer Virat Kohli was in imperious form as he got to his 46th ODI hundred in the 3rd and final match of the series against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, January 15. Kohli played a chanceless knock and this is his 3rd ODI hundred in his last 4 innings, sending a warning notice to the rest of the world in the ODI World Cup year.
He played an unbeaten knock of 166 runs to help his team secure a historic win. Having taken his time to score the 71st international ton from 70th, Kohli now has 74 triple-digits scores to his name in rapid fashion. Former Sri Lankan cricketer Farveez Maharoof labeled Kohli as a ‘GOAT’ (Greatest of all Time) of international cricket.
“Simply the GOAT of international cricket. If Lionel Messi is the GOAT in football, it’s Virat Kohli for me in international cricket, The script is written nicely for 2023. World Cup at home, he won in 2011 and this is his World Cup as well if he continues his good form. The way he paces his innings, the way he takes on bowlers and the way he understands the situation, I don’t think anyone in the world does it any better,” Maharoof was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
India win the 3rd ODI convincingly against Sri Lanka
Talking about the third ODI between India and Sri Lanka, India opted to bat first after winning the toss and the day started with India’s openers getting off to a flier despite a tepid couple of overs to begin the game. Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli stitched together a 131-run partnership as Sri Lanka found no joy for almost the next 20 overs. Gill played a stylish knock, getting to his 2nd ODI hundred.
Chasing the target of 391, only three batters got to double digits and just one partnership faced 20-plus deliveries out there. India only had to use three specialist bowlers, while Iyer bowled one solitary over as well. It was a clinical performance from India, though. The centuries from Kohli and Gill set the hosts up, and there was no looking back, thereafter, as India won the match by a huge margin of 317 runs.
