Colombo, Jul 31: Virat Kohli's dream run in ODIs continued as his brilliant century guided India to a comfortable six-wicket victory in the fourth one-dayer against Sri Lanka, thereby clinching the five-match series 3-1, here today.
Courtesy's Kohli's 119-ball 128 and his partnership of 146 runs with another in-form batsman Suresh Raina (58), India reached the 252-run target in 42.2 overs at the R Premadasa stadium.
This is Kohli's 13th century in his 89th ODI appearance, a feat still unattained by any other batsman in ODI history.
The Delhi batsman, on his way to another three-digit figure, also completed quickest 1000 runs in a calender year with a whopping average of 77.15. He has now scored his fifth century in last eight matches.
It was Raina who scored the winning run with a hit over extra cover off Tillakaratne Dilshan as India reached 255 for four.
Raina's 51-ball 58 was his 24th half century and eighth against Sri Lanka.
Both Kohli and Raina blunted Sri Lanka's spin attack and batted beautifully. Raina may not be as prolific numbers as Kohli but batting at number 5 and 6, he has more than pulled his weight.
India were off to a poor start as pacer Lasith Malinga struck in his first over to bowl out Gautam Gambhir (0).
Virender Sehwag along with Kohli put the Indian chase back on track with a 50-run stand for the second wicket but Angelo Mathews got rid of the opener in the 10th over to somewhat derail visitors' chase.
Mathews got Sehwag caught by substitute Senanayake after his fighting knock of 34.
Courtesy's Kohli's 119-ball 128 and his partnership of 146 runs with another in-form batsman Suresh Raina (58), India reached the 252-run target in 42.2 overs at the R Premadasa stadium.
This is Kohli's 13th century in his 89th ODI appearance, a feat still unattained by any other batsman in ODI history.
The Delhi batsman, on his way to another three-digit figure, also completed quickest 1000 runs in a calender year with a whopping average of 77.15. He has now scored his fifth century in last eight matches.
It was Raina who scored the winning run with a hit over extra cover off Tillakaratne Dilshan as India reached 255 for four.
Raina's 51-ball 58 was his 24th half century and eighth against Sri Lanka.
Both Kohli and Raina blunted Sri Lanka's spin attack and batted beautifully. Raina may not be as prolific numbers as Kohli but batting at number 5 and 6, he has more than pulled his weight.
India were off to a poor start as pacer Lasith Malinga struck in his first over to bowl out Gautam Gambhir (0).
Virender Sehwag along with Kohli put the Indian chase back on track with a 50-run stand for the second wicket but Angelo Mathews got rid of the opener in the 10th over to somewhat derail visitors' chase.
Mathews got Sehwag caught by substitute Senanayake after his fighting knock of 34.
