Kolkata: Team India took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, but not before making heavy weather of a 216-run chase at Eden Gardens on Thursday night.
After dismissing the visiting side for 215 in under 40 overs, India were in a spot of bother at 86/4 in the 15th over. Skipper Rohit Sharma (17), Shubman Gill (21), Virat Kohli (4) and Shreyas Iyer (28) were back in the hut, and it was left to KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya to play sensibly and steady the ship.
The duo added 75 runs before Hardik was dismissed for 36. Axar made a run-a-ball 21 before he got out with India on 191/6.
A gritty Rahul (64 not out off 103 balls) and Kuldeep Yadav took India home.
Sri Lanka earlier squandered a fine start, losing wickets in a heap after reaching 102/1 in 17 overs.
Chinaman Kuldeep triggered the collapse with three wickets after Mohammad Siraj had provided an early breakthrough.
Instead of posting a total in the vicinity of 300, Lankans folded up for a below-par 215 in 39/4 overs.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 215 all out in 39.4 overs (Nuwanidu Fernando 50, Kusal Mendis 34; Mohammad Siraj 3/30, Kuldeep Yadav 3/51, Umran Malik 2/48). India 219/6 in 43.2 overs (KL Rahul 64*, Hardik Pandya 36; Chamika Karunaratne 2/51).
Result: India won by 4 wickets.
Series: India lead 2-0 with 1 to play.
Final ODI: At Thiruvananthapuram (Jan 15).
