India vs Sri Lanka 2017, 2nd ODI: Rohit and Shikhar's solid opening stand is SK Turning Point of the match

Fresh off a remarkable bowling performance in the opening match of the series in Dharamsala, Sri Lanka arrived in Mohali with palpable confidence. When they won the toss and got the opportunity to bowl in initially seam-friendly conditions, the visitors would have fancied their chances against an under-pressure Indian batting lineup.

However, what followed was a resplendent demonstration of stroke-play from the resurgent hosts. Stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma led India's charge with an astonishing double century and consequently buried Sri Lanka under an avalanche of runs.

With Rohit's unbeaten 208 propelling them to a daunting total of 392 for the loss of just four wickets, India cruised to a clinical 14-run triumph and levelled the series in grand style. While the majestic 213-run partnership between their captain and Shreyas Iyer helped them impose themselves on the opposition, the Indian team management will acknowledge the importance of the opening stand on what had been murky conditions for batting.

Here's how Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan spearheaded India's dominance by formulating a vital 115-run partnership for the first wicket.

Openers negate early movement

The opening duo handled the initially tricky conditions splendidly to set a strong platform

Taking guard in the aftermath of a shambolic batting performance in Dharamsala, India's opening duo of Rohit and Dhawan were presented with a pitch sporting a discernible sprinkling of grass. With the residual effects of a wintry Mohali morning facilitating swing and seam bowling, the Sri Lankans were on the lookout for early wickets.

Just like last game, the visitors began proceedings with the combination of Angelo Mathews and Suranga Lakmal. The all-rounder vindicated the decision by delivering a probing opening over. With conditions aiding sharp movement, he tested Rohit's technique by shaping the ball away and then following it up with a generous amount of in-swing.

Rohit saw off eight probing deliveries before finally getting off the mark. When Lakmal challenged his temperament by seaming the ball both ways, the right-hander got into the groove by hammering a sizzling cover drive.

On the other hand, Dhawan made his intentions clear right from the outset. Sensing the need to put the bowlers under pressure early in the piece, the southpaw cracked a boundary off the very first delivery that he faced. Since then, he tried earnestly to further his positive game-plan.

Upon surviving a chance which went evaded the slip cordon, Rohit looked to create a solid platform with his opening partner. The first ten overs fetched India just 33 runs. However, the sluggish scoring-rate did not matter much as both openers still remained in operation.

Sri Lanka's newly appointed skipper Thisara Perera could not maintain the pressure created by his new-ball bowlers. His lengths were all over the place and Dhawan duly capitalised. Nuwan Pradeep's initiation did not work either as the left-hander reeled off a slew of boundaries. India were slowly but surely beginning to gather some momentum.

Rohit's astounding acceleration pummels Sri Lanka

In the 22nd over, Sachith Pathirana finally separated India's opening pair by getting rid of Dhawan who had registered a well-made 67-ball 68. Apart from accumulating 115 runs to set the foundation for a strong total, they had also blunted the Sri Lankan bowlers' resistance. From then on, the game only headed towards one direction as Rohit asserted himself on the arena.

The breakdown of his jaw-dropping double century makes for an interesting case study. Rohit was on 46 from 60 balls when he saw his opening partner depart. He scored 54 runs from his next 55 deliveries to bring up a maiden century as captain. What followed was unstoppable carnage as the elegant right-hander tore apart Sri Lanka's bowling unit without any mercy.

After reaching three-figures, Rohit went on an exhilarating six-hitting rampage. When the last ten overs began, India were at 245 for the loss of one wicket. The well-set opener took a heavy toll of Lakmal by hammering four sixes in the 44th over.

In the zone for creating mayhem, Rohit laid into Pradeep as the ball was repeatedly sent either into the stands or along the boundary ropes. The Mumbaikar needed only 36 more deliveries to convert a century into the third double ton of his ODI career. With Shreyas Iyer also playing his part by racing to a 70-ball 88, India came within just eight runs of the 400-mark.

Battered and bruised into submission, Sri Lanka's run-chase never really got going as they lost their first three wickets even before the 100-ball mark. Angelo Mathews evinced a lone semblance of defiance and reduced their margin of defeat by scoring his second ODI century. But the day belonged to Rohit and his imperious knock.