[Watch] Virat Kohli gives signed jersey to Kusal Mendis after IND vs SL 3rd ODI
Former Indian captain Virat Kohli gave his autographed jersey to Sri Lankan player Kusal Mendis after the third and final match of the three-match ODI series. The final game of the tour was played at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday, August 7.
In the video, Kohli was seen signing the jersey while both players shared a laugh while standing near the boundary ropes. Sri Lanka defeated India to win the final game and clinch the ODI series 2-0, their first against Men in Blue in 27 years.
Here’s the video of the moment:
Kusal Mendis played a decent hand of 59 off 82 balls in the third game to help Sri Lanka post a match-winning total on the board. In three matches, the right-handed player scored 103 runs.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli had a poor outing through the series. The Indian veteran struggled throughout his stay at the crease and only managed to score 58 runs in the series.
Sri Lankan spinners' script history for the hosts
Throughout the three-match ODI series, Indian batters had a tough time at the crease as the Sri Lankan spinner made the most of the pitch conditions. The hosts found new heroes in every game; in the first match, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Charith Asalanka took three wickets each and forced the game to end in a tie.
Jeffrey Vandersay came to the party in the second game. The Sri Lankan leg-spinner took six wickets as the hosts defeated India by 32 runs. In the final game of the series, 21-year-old Dunith Wellalage showed his skills and took a fifer as Sri Lanka scripted a historic series win.
At the post-match presentation, Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka said:
"I am a happy captain right now. The team did all things right throughout the series. We all knew they are a strong batting line up and we wanted to back our strength, spin was our strength and we backed it. They are in a good mood right now and our coach (Sanath Jayasuriya) is very active. The boys really enjoyed the team environment."
The Island Nation will face England in a three-game Test series, starting August 21 in Manchester.