Watch: Sri Lanka coach, bowler and fielders shell-shocked after Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka drop well-set Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli was dropped twice - on 52 and 81 - but the star India batter made it count and hammered Sri Lanka by scoring his 45th ODI century.

Virat Kohli began 2023 in style, recording his 45th ODI century during the 1st ODI between India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati on Tuesday. Kohli, who went almost three years without an international century, has now knocked off his second in two matches, made Sri Lanka pay. Kohli finished on 113 off 87 balls, powering India to a monstrous total of 373/7. However, had it not been for a couple of slip-ups by Sri Lanka, Kohli could well have fallen short. SL dropped Kohli not once, but twice to give the star India batter a lifeline and boy… did he make it count. Kohli went on a rampage taking just 80 balls to notch up his 9th ODI century against Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankans could not believe their luck (Screengrab)

Kohli was on 52 and 81 respectively when he was dropped. Just after Kohli had crossed a half-century, he offered a thick edge off the bowling of Kasun Rajitha. The Sri Lanka quick had bowled slightly outside off, to which Kohli danced down the wicket trying to heave it through the off-side, but the ball took a huge nick and headed straight to wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis, who made a mess of it which diving. The drop catch was almost unbelievable as it was as straight as they come, and what made it even more baffling was that the wicketkeeper with gloves on spilled it.

The missed opportunity was met with a range of emotions from the Sri Lankan unit. Head coach Chris Silverwood covered his face with his hands in utter disbelief, while Rajitha and Chamika Karunaratne were equally distraught. 29 runs later, Kohli was again put down, this time by the captain Dasun Shanaka itself at mid-off. Kohli tried to go above the fielder but couldn't time it well. Shanaka caught the ball but it lobbed out of his hands at the last moment, once again leaving the bowler Rajitha and his teammates shell-shocked.