Kohli showed no restraint following a heated exchange between Siraj and Mendis

During the final ODI of the series, Virat Kohli showed no restraint following a heated exchange between Mohammed Siraj and Kusal Mendis earlier in the innings. 

India began the 2nd ODI against Sri Lanka with high hopes, as Mohammed Siraj claimed the wicket of the in-form Pathum Nissanka on the very first ball. However, the excitement quickly faded in the series decider as Siraj struggled. He was hammered for boundaries, with Nissanka taking him to task, leaving Siraj with figures of 0/22 after his first three overs. His second spell was no better, as he conceded two sixes and a boundary to Avishka Fernando, further exacerbating India's predicament. Siraj, having a rare off day against a team he usually excels against, was visibly frustrated.

Tempers flared when Siraj, in the 39th over, exchanged words with Kusal Mendis. The Sri Lankan batter, unbeaten on 30 and with Sri Lanka at 183/3, took exception to Siraj’s remarks. The confrontation escalated as Mendis charged at Siraj, who responded with a hand gesture before returning to his run-up.

Seeing his teammate embroiled in the verbal sparring, Virat Kohli decided to join the fray, targeting Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka. After debutant Riyan Parag removed Fernando and trapped Asalanka for just 10, Kohli, visibly charged, delivered a fiery send-off. His excitement was palpable as he directed a mention of 'Ben Stokes' and a few choice words at Asalanka.

Despite this, Sri Lanka managed to set a target of 249, reaching 248/7 after starting at 173/1. India’s bowlers restricted the hosts effectively in the final overs, but their batting performance was once again dismal. For the third time in the series, India’s batting crumbled, and they were bowled out for just 138, handing Sri Lanka a comfortable 110-run victory. This win secured Sri Lanka their first bilateral ODI series against India since 1997.

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a brief bright spot with a 37-run opening stand, the highest partnership of the innings. However, their dismissals triggered a collapse. Kohli, who seemed in form with four boundaries before being dismissed LBW for 20, was one of the few to offer resistance. Dunith Wellalage was the standout performer for Sri Lanka, claiming 5/27, marking his second five-wicket haul against India in five ODIs.