Indore: Rohit Sharma bludgeoned the Sri Lankan attack with a record-equalling 35-ball century and powered India to a series-sealing 88-run win in the second Twenty20 International here on Friday.
Rohit equalled South African David Miller’s record en route his blistering knock of 118 that propelled India to a colossal 260 for five after being invited to bat.
The hosts then shot the Lankans for 172 to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, rendering the third T20I in Mumbai on Sunday, inconsequential.
Kusal Perera top-scored for Sri Lanka with his 37-ball 77-run knock but the visitors were out of the game after Rohit’s blitzkrieg. They maintained a decent run-rate but it was not going to be enough.
From being 145 for one in 13.1 overs, they collapsed to 172 in 17.2 overs.
Once the 109-run second-wicket partnership between Upal Tharanga (47 off 29) and Kusal was broken by leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (4/52), the Lankans innings fell apart.
Angelo Mathews did not come out to bat and when the ninth wicket fell in the form of Dushmanta Chameera, India were declared winners.
None of the Sri Lankan batsman, barring the top-three, could manage a double-digit score.
The knock was Rohit’s second T20I hundred and the best by an Indian in this format. It was not power-hitting but sheer elegance coupled with remarkable ease.
There was never a dull moment till the time Rohit was at the crease as he pulled, cut and drove the clueless Lankan bowlers at will.
In the process he raised a 165-run stand for the first wicket, the highest for India, with KL Rahul, who scored 89 off 49 balls.
Rohit, always revered as a special talent, is gradually creating his own legacy as he is the only batsman to have scored three double centuries in one-day cricket and now has two T20 hundreds to his name.
In an incredible display of hitting, the Indian captain smashed 12 fours and 10 sixes during his 43-ball stay at the crease.
Before being caught at short third man off Chameera, Rohit left the Lankans shell-shocked but delighted the home fans at the jam-packed Holkar stadium, hosting its first ever T20 international.
He seems to have taken a special liking to the Lankans, against whom he raised his third ODI double century just eight days back in Mohali during the second one-dayer.
Rahul, who was dropped on six, was also impressive with his stroke-making, specially the sixes in the V. He missed out on his hundred, though, after being caught sensationally by stumper Niroshan Dickwella off Nuwan Pradeep in the 19th over.
His knock had five fours and eight sixes.
PTI
