By Sudipto Ganguly
MUMBAI (Reuters) -India’s Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill hit commanding fifties against Sri Lanka and combined in a second-wicket stand of 189 to help the hosts post 357 for eight in their World Cup group stage match on Thursday.
After Kohli and Gill fell to left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka in quick succession, India’s number four Shreyas Iyer provided the late flourish to the innings with a 56-ball 82.
Iyer hit three fours and six sixes in his knock before Madushanka, who finished with 5-80, dismissed the local batter to pick up his first five-wicket haul in the format.
Earlier, Madushanka gave Sri Lanka a dream start by dismissing in-form India captain Rohit Sharma with the second ball of the innings after the island nation won the toss and decided to bowl on a hot and humid day at the Wankhede Stadium.
Kohli then made 88 off 94 balls while Gill scored a run-a-ball 92 to put the Sri Lanka bowlers to the sword. Gill survived a dropped catch on eight while Kohli also got an early reprieve on 10 during his knock.
India have won all six of their round robin games in this year’s 50-over showpiece, while Sri Lanka need a victory to keep alive their hopes of making the semi-finals, having won two of their six group stage matches before Thursday.
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Ken Ferris)
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