KL Rahul scored a solid unbeaten 64 as India beat Sri Lanka by 4 wickets in the second one day international by 4 wickets at Kolkata on Thursday to take a 2-0 lead in the three match series.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first openers Avishka Fernando and debutant Nuwanidu Fernando got Sri Lanka off to a steady start. The duo added 29 runs for the opening stand before the former was cleaned up by Mohammed Siraj for 20.
Nuwanidu along with Kusal Mendis put on 73 runs for the second wicket before Kuldeep trapped Mendis leg before wicket for a run a ball 34.
Axar then got into the act by claiming Dhananjaya de Silva for a golden duck. The 23 year old Nuwanidu reached his maiden fifty, but was run out following a horrible mix up with Charith Asalanka. His knock came off 63 deliveries with 6 fours.
Left arm spinner Kuldeep then pegged the Islanders back- first by dismissing the in form Dasun Shanka (2) bowled while attempting a sweep, and then sending back Asalanka (15) caught and bowled.
Wanindu Hasaranga scored a quickfire 17 ball-21 before falling to Umran Malik. The young sensation claimed his second wicket by dismissing Chamika Karunaratne for 17.
The pair of Dunith Wellalage along with Kasun Rajitha featured in a valuable 38 run stand for the ninth wicket before the former was caught at backward point by Axar Patel off Siraj for a well made 32.
The 28 year old Siraj wrapped up the innings by dismissing Lahiru Kumara as the visitors were bundled out for 215 in 39.4 overs.
Chasing 216, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill got India off to a brisk start. The pair put on 33 runs for the opening stand before the former was caught behind by wicket keeper Kusal Mendis off Karunaratne for 17.
Gill who looked good in his knock of 21, guided a short of length delivery off Lahiru Kumara to Fernando at short mid wicket.
The hosts suffered a massive set back as former skipper Virat Kohli inside edged a delivery from Kumara onto his stumps, leaving their side in a spot of bother at 62/3.
The pair of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul added 24 runs for the fourth wicket before the former was trapped leg before wicket by Rajitha.
Rahul along with Hardik Pandya anchored the innings with a valuable 75 run stand for the fifth wicket before the latter nicked a delivery from Karunaratne to wicket keeper Mendis for 36.
Dhannjaya De Silva provided a glimper of hope for the visitors by dismissing the dangerous Axar Patel (21), caught at the boundary while attempting a big hit.
Rahul (64)* and Kuldeep Yadav (10)* held their nerve in the end and took India past the finishing line.