With a score of 390/5 in Thiruvananthapuram, India put on an impressive batting performance led by Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill. After this, Sri Lanka was bowled out for just 73 in a masterclass with the ball, led by Mohammad Siraj's 4-32. Sri Lanka lost by 317 runs, the most in ODI cricket history, as a result.
India's top order was able to accurately gauge the Greenfield Stadium pitch, which appeared to be ideal for strokeplay during the first half of the game. A 95-run opening stand between Rohit Sharma and Gill set the tone. The two got off to a cautious start, only scoring 19 in the first five overs. However, the floodgates were opened by Lahiru Kumara's sixth wicket.
After Rohit flicked him wristily for a six over midwicket, he passed the ball to Gill, who promptly hit four boundaries in a row to pick up 23 and set India on the course they would follow for the remainder of the innings.
Before Rohit fell, Chamika Karunaratne was sent straight to fine leg on 42, and the two players hit shots that were identical to each other to get close to a fifty. Gill, on the other hand, received strong support from Kohli, who walked in with apparent ease. Kohli hit Karunaratne through the covers with his second ball for a boundary. And then he played with Jeffrey Vandersay's lengths while driving and cutting him for boundaries in subsequent balls. After that, Gill passed fifty and continued his momentum by taking another six from Vandersay.
Despite a few low deliveries and Gill winning an LBW review against Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka were unable to mount much of a challenge to either batter. However, other than that, the pitch provided excellent value for the numerous shots that were made.
Kohli hit a flurry of striking shots, including short-arm jabs over cover, conventional drives, and even a wristy whip over long on for a six. This was one of his eight sixes, which is the most he has hit in an ODI innings.
Kohli assumed leadership of the innings after achieving a fifty, while Gill succumbed to a low Rajitha delivery shortly after reaching his second ODI century. Shreyas Iyer provided excellent support for Kohli as well, maintaining the momentum with a 32-ball 38. Following a collision at the boundary that resulted in Ashen Bandara and Jeffrey Vandersay being stretchered off, Kohli was left waiting on 99. However, his single after the game resumed marked his 46th ODI century and the beginning of a boundary-hitting spree. He struck 66 off the last 25 balls he faced, providing India with the perfect run out and a massive total.
In the second innings, under the lights, the pacers started with venom, turning what appeared to be a good batting surface upside down. In just the second over, Siraj took a wicket, getting Avishka Fernando caught at a cleverly placed wide slip. After that, Kusal Mendis slipped behind the goalkeeper, and Nuwanidu Fernando was bowled, chopping on a ball that was nipping in. Mohammed Shami had Charist Asalanka slicing to point in the interval, and Sri Lanka fell to 39/4. Due to Bandara's injury, they were already short a batter, so they brought in Dunith Wellalage to replace Vandersay because of a concussion.
During this time, India continued to attack relentlessly, with Siraj bowling an extended spell and defeating Wanindu Hasaranga with a seaming delivery. In addition, Siraj outwitted Chamika Karunaratne with a return throw that caught him a little short while he held his position after defending back from outside the crease. Sri Lanka's hopes were on Dasun Shanaka and Wellalage to save them from embarrassment as they fell to 39/6. However, after Shanaka was cleaned up, a Kuldeep Yadav turner bowled him through the batpad. When Wellalage hit Shami to the point, he became the eighth wicket. Since Vandersay was ruled out, India decided to give Siraj the best chance of a five-fer by bowling the last wicket pair.
In the beginning, Shreyas Iyer and Kuldeep Yadav worked from the opposing end while Shami bowled a few light deliveries to keep the game alive. Siraj had three overs to bowl at the last pair. He came close, but KL Rahul grassed an inside edge and fended off a couple of short balls awkwardly. An LBW appeal was upheld on the field by umpire J Madanagopal on the final ball of his stint, but replays confirmed that there was an inside edge.
India finally won the series when Kuldeep had Kumara dragging a slog back onto the stumps, ending the manufactured drama and completing a record victory and a sweep of the series.
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