India's Rohit Sharma has equalled the fastest century in Twenty20 International cricket to set up the hosts' massive 88-run victory against Sri Lanka and a series win with a match to spare in Indore.
Opening batsman Rohit, leading India in the absence of the newly-wed regular captain Virat Kohli, matched the record of South Africa's David Miller after hitting the mark from 35 balls before falling for 118 from 43.
Rohit, the only batsman to hit three double hundreds in the 50-over format, added 165 with fellow opener Lokesh Rahul to power India to 5-260 in their 20 overs for the joint-highest total by a T20 team.
In reply, Sri Lanka, who lost the opening match by 93 runs at Cuttack on Wednesday, were bundled out for 172 in the 18th over to go down 2-0 in the three-match series after also losing in Tests and one-day internationals.
India's wrist spinners once again did the damage for the hosts with legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal taking 4-52 while left-armer Kuldeep Yadav picked up 3-52.
"It was a good wicket to bat on. Rahul and I had some fun out there," Sharma said.
"On this pitch no target was defendable, so we wanted to get as many runs as possible. We had faith in our legspinners though and they brought us back into the game again."
Angelo Mathews could not bat due to an injury as Sri Lanka's chase screeched to a halt after they lost six wickets in two overs from the spinners.
Kusal Perera top-scored with 77 off 37 balls for the touring side.The 30-year-old Rohit smashed 10 sixes and 12 fours before he was eventually dismissed at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, where Sri Lanka captain Thisara Perera won the toss and opted to field.
Four of Rohit's sixes came in consecutive deliveries off Thisara which took him to 97 and he completed his second T20 hundred with a four on the next ball he faced from seamer Angelo Mathews.
Rahul took charge after Rohit's dismissal and added 78 for the second wicket with former captain MS Dhoni before falling for 89 off 49 balls.
India were well on course to eclipse the highest T20 International total of 3-263, which was set by Australia against Sri Lanka last year, but lost their way by losing four wickets in the last two overs.
FASTEST T20 INTERNATIONAL CENTURIES:
35 balls - David Miller, South Africa v Bangladesh, Potchefstroom, 2017
35 - Rohit Sharma, India v Sri Lanka, Indore, 2017
45 - Richard Levi, South Africa v New Zealand, Hamilton, 2012
46 - Faf du Plessis, South Africa v West Indies, Johannesburg, 2015
46 - Lokesh Rahul, India v West Indies, Lauderhill, 2016
47 - Aaron Finch, Australia v England, Southampton, 2013
47 - Chris Gayle, West Indies v England, Mumbai, 2016
48 - Evin Lewis, West Indies v India, Lauderhill, 2016
Reuters
