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Mohammed Siraj and Kusal Mendis (Source - Twitter)
India clashed against Sri Lanka in the first match of the three-match ODI series on Tuesday, January 10, at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj was breathing fire with the ball and got India off to a flying start during Sri Lanka's run-chase. Siraj was handed the new ball by captain Rohit Sharma to start the proceedings for India after the hosts posted a huge total of 373 runs on the board while batting first in the series opener.
Siraj was quick to deliver as he started off with a tight first over before dismissing opener Avishka Fernando in his second over to draw first blood for the Men in Blue. It was just the start for Siraj as he returned to get Kusal Mendis with an absolute ripper in his next over.
Watch the video here:
What A Bowler Mohammed Siraj Is Turning Out To Be š„ pic.twitter.com/cUXtXkp5oE
ā CRICKETNMORE (@cricketnmore) January 10, 2023
It was an outstanding delivery from the right-arm pacer which sneaked right through the gate to rattle Mendis' stumps, sending him back on a duck. The brilliant in-swinger from Siraj was pitched up and nipped back in sharply to beat Mendis' defense as he failed to read the movement.
Virat Kohli hit his 45th ODI century
Earlier in the game, Indian batters dominated the proceedings in Guwahati after being asked to bat first by Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka. Openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill scored half-centuries apiece to post a brilliant 143-run stand for the first wicket before Virat Kohli slammed his 73rd international ton to lift India to a humongous total of 373 runs.
While Rohit missed out on a well-deserved hundred as he got dismissed on 83 off 67 balls, Gill repaid the faith shown in him by the team management with a cracking 70 off 60 balls. Kohli then joined the party with an amazing knock of 113 runs off 87 balls to become the fastest to 45 ODI tons and 73 international centuries, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. He got two lives during his innings as he was dropped by Kusal Mendis on 52 and on 81 by Dasun Shanaka.