KL Rahul finally got his mojo back as his crucial half-centurion knock came in handy and India's four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second ODI at the Eden Gardens on Thursday (January 12). With this India also recorded their 26th ODI series win over the Islanders as the Men in Blue have never lost a series against Sri Lanka in the last 40 years.
After India's disciplined bowling attack bowled out Sri Lanka to a paltry 215, Rahul, who was going through a lean patch with the willow, struck an instrumental 64 off 103 to rescue India from a precarious 86/4 and steered Team India to a 2-0 series win with 40 balls to spare. Another match hero was Kuldeep Yadav (3/51), who rose to the occasion with his exceptional spin bowling.
While Rahul and Kuldeep made opposition team dance to their primary skill, Virat Kohli and Ishan Kishan put on a terrific display in front of a jam-packed Eden Gardens. Kohli and Kishan danced in front of thousands of fans when the stadium was lit up during the eye-catching light show.
Watch the video here:
After the game, captain Rohit Sharma lauded the performance of Rahul, who played a well-measured inning under pressure.
"It was a close game but games like these teach you a lost. We had to build an innings under pressure. KL has been batting at five for a long period of time now and it gives us the depth. Gives you the confidence as well at the top of the order for us to go and bat freely. It was a good display of batsmanship," Rohit told the host broadcasters after the game.
With series already decided, India and Sri Lanka will now lock horns in a dead-rubber third ODI on January 15 (Sunday).
