Rex Clementine
in Guwahati

Sub-continent has hosted three World Cups so far and mostly it’s been a case of south Asian neighbours jointly hosting the sport’s showpiece event. But this time, BCCI wants to do it solo. They will host all games and they have a good chance of securing their third title as well.

This is where a bit of dialog comes in handy. SLC has a good rapport with BCCI and there’s no harm in inquiring whether any chance of Colombo and Kandy hosting their games. Even half of those games would do. Yes, yes, Sri Lanka probably will have to play qualifiers. But they should make it. Hosting some games at home would be splendid for the nation.

While Sri Lanka are pondering on qualifications, India are all set with their plans. They began their World Cup preparations yesterday against Sri Lanka here in Guwahati and apart from this series, they have four more bilateral series plus the Asia Cup before the big event.

Guwahati was an occasion for India to showcase their might. Virat Kohli raced to 113 in 87 balls with 12 fours and one six while Rohit Sharma hit 83 in 67 balls with nine fours and three sixes.

While Rohit and Shubman Gill (70) added 143 runs for the first wicket in 118 balls, Kohli ensured that India ended up posting 373 for seven with his 45th ODI hundred and the ninth against Sri Lanka. He was dropped twice – on 52 and 81 by Kusal Mendis and Dasun Shanaka with Kasun Rajitha being the unlucky bowler. Rajitha went onto pick up three wickets.

India’s batting is so formidable that someone like Suryakumar Yadav, who smashed a T-20 hundred in Rajkot in the last game can’t get into the side while Shikhar Dhawan, the fourth highest run getter in ODIs last year, has been dropped.

Batting is not the only thing that’s giving India’s opponents headaches. Their bowling looks equally good with some aggressive fast bowlers and efficient spinners.

Yesterday India’s pace attack was Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj and Umran Malik, all Muslims and they are most certainly to play the World Cup as well.

Not only in sports but in every way of life India gives equal opportunities to minorities. Dr. Abdul Kalam was India’s President from 2002 to 2005 while Dr. Manmohan Singh, a Sikh, was Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014.

The run chase was a bit of a disaster as Umran picked up three wickets testing the batters with his pace. A well set Pathum Nissanka attempted a pull shot to a chest high short ball and was caught at mid-wicket. Siraj castled Kusal Mendis going through the gate with a ball that was clocked at 142 kmph.

India basically have all bases covered for the World Cup and their only weak link is fielding. That could hurt them.

Dasun Shanaka gave his team some consolation with an unbeaten 108. He required only 88 deliveries and smashed 12 fours and three sixes. The ninth wicket partnership between him and Kasun Rajitha produced 100 runs, a new record in ODIs between these teams.

This was total domination by India, who ended up with a 67 run win.