SL vs IND: Records missed by King Kohli in ODI series decider after third consecutive failure

Add as a preferred source on Google

SL vs IND 2024: Former Indian captain Virat Kohli was expected to raise his bar to a great extent, given that he has a formidable batting record in Colombo. The senior pro headed into the ODI series in excess of 600 runs at a staggering batting average of 100, including four centuries.

Needless to say, the Sri Lankan spinners gave the premier batter a run for his money in the three-match series. They didn't let the veteran to hunker himself at the crease as the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga and Jeffrey Vandersay trapped him for an LBW in the first and second ODI respectively.

India had the chance to win the ODI opener but the game ended in a tie. The second game ended in the hosts' favour as they won the game by 32 runs.

A cracking knock was expected from Kohli to register multiple personal milestones and help India avoid an ODI series defeat against Sri Lanka. However, the star batter failed once again.

As the visitors looked to chase 249 in the series-decider, all eyes were on Virat Kohli, but the right-hander was trapped in front of the stump by left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage this time. His dismissal for 20 off 18, left India reeling at 71/4. He also missed to eclipse as many as three records.

1. One Fifty away from going past Saleem Malik

Virat Kohli has scored 72 fifties in ODIs, tying him with former Pakistan cricketer Saleem Malik. If he had scored one more fifty, Kohli would have surpassed Malik's feat. Overall, Kohli has hit 50 centuries in ODIs, the most by a cricketer in the format.

2. Centuries in Colombo

India's run-machine has already scored four centuries at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, placing him alongside cricket legends like Sanath Jayasuriya and Sachin Tendulkar. Had Kohli managed to brave the challenges and hit a century in the third ODI, he would have taken him to the top the list in terms of most ODI centuries scored at this venue.

3. Most runs at R Premadasa Stadium among India batters

The Delhi-born cricketer had amassed 682 runs at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo ahead of the decider. A century in the third game would have helped him surpass the run tally of Indian batting greats like Sourav Ganguly (779 runs), Yuvraj Singh (725 runs) and Virender Sehwag (694 runs) at the venue.