[In Pictures] Pathum Nissanka takes a brilliant diving catch to send back the well-settled Rohit Sharma in 2nd IND vs SL ODI
Team India skipper Rohit Sharma perished after setting a comfortable platform for his side during the run chase in the second ODI against Sri Lanka. Rohit lost his wicket in the 14th over as Pathum Nissanka took an excellent catch at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday, August 4.
Rohit Sharma started from where he left things off in the series opener. He took on the new ball bowlers to give India a positive start and made the most of the fielding restrictions. His free-flowing scoring brought up his fifty in just 29 deliveries, while India put on 76 runs in the powerplay. He also became India's fourth-highest run-scorer in ODIs en route to his half-century.
Rohit tried to maintain the run flow even after the end of the powerplay. He tried to execute a reverse sweep of sorts, which ended up being more like a switch hit as he got into a poor position while making contact. The ball flew over the fielders placed on the offside inside the circle.
Nissanka and Charith Asalanka went for the catch simultaneously, but the skipper withdrew at the last second, allowing the former to execute a dive and complete the catch.
Rohit Sharma departed after scoring 64 runs off 44 deliveries, with five fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 145.45.
Rohit Sharma slammed a half-century in the first ODI as well
The Hitman's aggressive approach at the top of the order was on show in the series opener as well after he scored 58 runs off 37 deliveries to help India put on 71 runs in the powerplay.
The skipper led from the front to put on a solid platform when India were asked to chase down 231. However, the middle-order stumbled and the contest ended up as a tie.
The ongoing clash is also seemingly headed in the same direction as Rohit Sharma's dismissal has triggered a collapse. Shubman Gill and Shivam Dube were dismissed in the same over, and at the time of writing, India are placed at 118-3 after 17 overs.