India clinch series 5-0, Kohli, Bhuvaneshwar shines in final ODI

Colombo: India whitewashed Sri Lanka 5-0, after defeating them in the fifth and the concluding One Day International (ODI) by six wickets here today at the R Premadasa Stadium in the ongoing five match ODI series.Sri Lanka opted to bat first after winning the toss.Opener Niroshan Dickwella (2) departed early as his partner Upul Tharanga (48) started to look dangerous.The skipper stood defiant even as the next batsman Dilshan Munaweera (4) returned soon.He struck nine fours to make 48 off 34.

However, Lahiru Thirimanne (67) and Angelo Mathews (55) upped the ante and shared a 122 runs stand between them.But speedster Bhuvaneshwar Kumar scalped five wickets conceding 42 runs which rendered Lanka’s batting blunt.The tail enders couldn’t contribute much as Sri Lanka was all out in 228 runs.For the visitors Bhuvaneshwar took his maiden five wicket haul in ODI, Jaspreet Bumrah scalped three wickets while Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal share one wicket each.

Chasing 238 was never an uphill task for India, which they proved correct.Openers Rohit Sharma (16) and Ajinkya Rahane (5) disappointed going back early.Skipper Virat Kohli (110*) took matter in his own hands to lead his team to a series whitewash.Kohli piled up his 30th ton and remained unbeaten at 110.He hit nine boundaries en route to his classy century.

Manish Pandey (36) and Kedar Jadhav (63) contributed well to see off India home.Jadhav impressed today with his seven four 63 off 73.The hosts lacked sharpness in every department as Lasith Malinga, Vishwa Fernando, Malinda Pushpakumara and Wanidu Hasaranga bagged one wicket apice.Bhuvaneshwar Kumar was adjudged the Player of the Match while Jasprit Bumrah was bestowed with the Player of the Series award.
(UNI)