The Rohit Sharma-led Indian team has made a stellar start to the ODI World Cup year. India won the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka by 3-0. India crushed Sri Lanka by 317 runs in the last ODI played in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. This is the biggest win in terms of runs in ODI cricket history. Many Indian players showed their brilliance in the series. Let us tell you 5 big things about the strong victory in the ODI series.

Salami Jodi back on track

Rohit Brigade struggled to get off to a good start in the ODI series against Bangladesh but India’s opening pair got back on track against Sri Lanka. Rohit Sharma (83) and Shubman Gill (70) added 143 runs for the first wicket in the first ODI. At the same time, Rohit (42) and Gill (116) shared a 95-run partnership for the first wicket in the third ODI. The bat of both did not do much in the second match.

Virat Kohli’s show

Veteran batsman Virat Kohli, who came out to play the first series after the tour of Bangladesh, spread his tremendous power. He scored a total of 283 runs in three matches at an average of 141.50 and a strike rate of 137.37. He was the highest run scorer in the series. Kohli scored 113 in the first match and 166 not out in the third ODI. He became player of the match twice and was adjudged player of the series.

Rahul became ‘Sikander’ in trouble

KL Rahul appeared in the role of wicketkeeper batsman in the series. He collected 110 runs in three matches. He finished fifth in the list of highest run scorers. Rahul’s half-century in the second ODI in Kolkata was very important, due to which India was destined to win. He scored an unbeaten 64 off 103 balls after the team faltered. The Indian team had lost five wickets for 161 runs while chasing the target of 219 runs. India won this match by four wickets.

Mohammad Siraj rocked

Fast bowler Mohammad Siraj rocked the series by bowling sharp. He took 9 wickets in three matches at an economy rate of 4.05. He was the highest hunting bowler in the series. He took wickets in every match. Siraj took 2 wickets in the first ODI, 3 in the second match and 4 wickets in the third ODI. He was about to take a five-wicket haul in the last match but a LBW decision was overturned by the third umpire.

Kuldeep’s ‘four on the spot’

Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav was out of the playing XI in the first match as leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal got a chance. But when Kuldeep got an entry in the second ODI due to Chahal’s injury, he hit ‘four on the spot’. Kuldeep became the player of the match in Kolkata. He took 3 wickets for 51 runs in 10 overs and contributed significantly to Sri Lanka’s total of 215 runs. He left his mark in the third match as well. Kuldeep took 2 wickets for 16 runs in 5 overs in Thiruvananthapuram.