Kohli blitz sends Sri Lanka packing
Virat Kohli’s sensational ton gives India a fighting chance stay in the hunt for a place in the tri one-day series final
India stormed to a seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Hobarton on Tuesday, earning the bonus point they needed to stay in the hunt for a place in the tri one-day series finals.
The World Cup champions easily chased down Sri Lanka’s 320 for four, scoring 321 for three off just 36.4 overs with man-of-the-match Virat Kohli slamming an unbeaten 133 off 86 balls.
Sri Lanka looked to be in the box seat after centuries from Tillakaratne Dilshan, who equalled his best one-day score of 160, and Kumar Sangakkara 105.
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Tillakaratne Dilshan scored a career best of 160, but it wasn’t enough as India ran out winners (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) |
But India, faced with having to reach their target off just 40 overs to snare the bonus point, did it easily, claiming the extra point with 20 balls to spare as Kohli and Suresh Raina (40 not out) flayed the demoralised Sri Lankan bowling attack.
Gautam Gambhir chipped in with 63 off 64 balls after openers Virender Sehwag (30 off 16 balls) and Sachin Tendulkar (39 off 30 balls) gave India a flying start.
The win sees India join Sri Lanka on 15 points in joint-second place in the tri-series table but Sri Lanka can still knock them out of the tournament by winning their last game against leaders Australia, in Melbourne on Friday.
Australia are already in the best-of-three match finals, which get underway in Brisbane on Sunday.