Team India completed a 3-0 whitewash over Sri Lanka with a crushing 317-run victory in the third and final ODI at Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday (January 15).
Opting to bat first, the Men in Blue piled up a gigantic 390/5 in their stipulated 50 overs on the back of stunning centuries from Virat Kohli (166* off 110 balls) and Shubman Gill (116 off 97 balls).
Defending the total, Indian bowlers ran through the Sri Lankan batting line-up, bundling out the visitors for a paltry 73 in 22 overs. While Mohammed Siraj returned with the remarkable bowling figures of 4 for 32 in his 10 overs, Mohammad Shami (2-20) and Kuldeep Yadav (2-16) shared four scalps between them.
Despite India’s record win, former cricketer Gautam Gambhir was critical of skipper Rohit Sharma, who failed to hit a century in the ODI series. Notably, Rohit hasn’t reached the three-digit mark in his 50 international innings.
During the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, the Indian captain returned with scores of 83, 17 and 42.
Speaking on Star Sports, Gambhir said Rohit should be put in the same space where Kohli was until few months ago.
“I think we should talk to him in the same space like we used to when Virat didn't get a 100 in last three and a half years. So we should be equally hard on Rohit Sharma because 50 innings in international cricket is quite a lot,” the ex-India opener stated.
“It's not you didn't get a 100 in one or two series, and that is one thing that is missing in Rohit's game from the last World Cup. He used to get those big 100s, this time he's looking in good form, he's hitting the ball well but he has to convert. One thing that has stood out for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and Virat has got it back, Rohit Sharma need to get it back at least before the World Cup because these two guys will be extremely important if India has to go all the way and win the World Cup,” he added.
India’s next assignment is the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 18 in Hyderabad.