Rohit Sharma celebrates after equalling the record for the fastest hundred in Twenty20 Internationals
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
India stand-in captain Rohit Sharma stole the spotlight in Indore as he hammered the joint-fastest Twenty20 International century to lead his side to an 88-run win over Sri Lanka.
Rohit needed just 35 balls to bring up his hundred, a feat that was previously achieved by South Africa batsman David Miller.
Being put in to bat first, Rohit and Lokesh Rahul amassed a 165-run partnership in just under 13 overs, during which Rohit sailed past his hundred and Rahul was nearing his own.
Lokesh Rahul scored his third fifty in Twenty20 Internationals
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
With Rohit having inflicted an incredible amount of damage in such a short period of time, Sri Lanka were desperately looking for a way to bring his rampage to an end.
They were ultimately rewarded with his wicket when he was dismissed by Dushmantha Chameera for 118 off 43 balls, which included 12 boundaries and 10 sixes.
As for Rahul, he did not get to the triple figure mark as he was caught behind off the bowling of Nuwan Pradeep for 89 off 49 deliveries, which included five boundaries and eight sixes.
Even though India lost three quick wickets as their innings came to an end, they still finished on 260/5 off their 20 overs.
Pradeep and Sri Lanka stand-in captain Thisara Perera picked up two wickets apiece, while Chameera chipped in with one.
Chasing 261 to win, Sri Lanka got off to a quick start before opener Niroshan Dickwella was removed by Jaydev Unadkat for 25.
Upul Tharanga and Kusal Perera kept the runs flowing with a 109-run partnership, during which Kusal surpassed his fifty.
Kusal Perera struck his seventh half-century in the shortest format
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Tharanga ended up making 47 off 29 balls, which included three boundaries and two sixes, before he was caught and bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal.
Kuldeep Yadav then took out Thisara for a duck and went on to dismiss Kusal the very next ball. Kusal’s fantastic innings of 77 came off 37 deliveries and included four boundaries and seven sixes.
Once Kusal was gone, Sri Lanka completely collapsed as they went from 156/4 to being bowled out for 172.
Chahal was the most successful bowler with four wickets, while Kuldeep took three, and Unadkat and Hardik Pandya claimed one wicket each.
Rohit was named Man of the Match, and said: “The stage was set, good conditions to bat. Was trying to do what I do, hit through the line. It came off really well. Went out there and had some fun. That’s too much to ask (a double-hundred). Any target here is not defendable, KL is in great form. There is a template to my batting, which I follow. Try to hold my shape.”