Virat Kohli was high on octane and low on sympathy for the bowlers. The feisty right-hander's hurricane 86-ball unbeaten 133 was the principal force behind India achieving the near impossible against Sri Lanka at the Bellerive Oval here on Tuesday.
India pulled off a heist even as the Sri Lankans were left rubbing their eyes in disbelief. Playing out of his skin — he whipped and drove Lasith Malinga with power and precision — Kohli was the Man-of-the-Match.
Requiring to chase down 321 in only 40 overs to win with a bonus point and stay in the hunt, India's mission was accomplished in 36.4 overs for the loss of just three wickets. For the Sri Lankans and the expensive Malinga, it was a nightmare under the lights.
India is now level with Sri Lanka on 15 points in the Commonwealth Bank triangular series and will go through to the finals if Australia defeats Mahela Jayawardene's team in the last league game in Melbourne on March 2.
Flat surface
The surface was flat and the ground small yet the Indians deserve credit for keeping the faith and sending the Sri Lankans on a leather hunt. This was an epic pursuit.
Kohli and a rampant Suresh Raina (40 not out off 24) blitzed 120 runs off only 55 deliveries for the fourth wicket. And the last 40 deliveries of the contest fetched India a whopping 91 runs as the Sri Lankans lost the plot.
Sri Lanka, asked to bat, had made 320 for four in 50 overs with Tillakaratne Dilshan (160 not out) and Kumar Sangakkara (105) assuming centrestage.
A simple victory for India would have led to India's exit from the competition. Dhoni's men had other ideas.
Costly mistake
On his part, Jayawardene blundered by taking the bowling Power Play as late as in the 28th over — India was bound to complete the batting Power Play inside the 40th over. This meant India had 10 overs of Power Play in the last 13 overs. Kohli and Raina made the Lankan pay.
India rattled up a whopping 97 for the loss of two wickets in the first 10 overs of Power Play. In the bowling Power Play — overs 28 to 32 — India collected 58 for the loss of a wicket. And in the 4.4 overs of the batting Power Play — between 33 and 36.4 — India plundered 64 runs. Two overs — the 31st and 35th — had a huge bearing on the result. Seamer Nuwan Kulasekara was creamed for 18 runs in the 31st over. Raina off-drove the paceman majestically and then Kohli flicked and cover-drove with panache.
Then, in the 35th over, Malinga was hammered for 24 runs. Kohli thwacked Malinga over mid-wicket for the maximum and then struck four successive boundaries on the leg-side. Malinga attempted yorkers but Kohli, shortening his back-lift, brought his strong wrists into play. As he was pounded, Malinga lost his line completely.
The left-right combination tormented the Sri Lankan bowling — Raina's six over square-leg off paceman Thisara Perera was a rousing blow — and it was puzzling why Sri Lanka's best bowler on the night, left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, sent down just four overs.
Team effort
Despite the heroics from Kohli and Raina, this was a team effort. Openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag set up the chase with some sensational hitting up the order and the solid Gautam Gambhir consolidated India's position.
Sehwag blasted Kulasekara through mid-off, flashed the bowler past point before pulling Malinga for the maximum. The openers had put on 54 in only 6.2 overs when Sehwag miscued a pull off Farveez Maharoof. Tendulkar batted with aggression and freedom with a cover-drive off Kulasekara scorching the turf. The maestro was looking good for more when he played across a yorker from Malinga. Gambhir (63) worked the ball into the gaps, created room to drive majestically through covers, and ran hard between the wickets. He walked back after a fine Dinesh Chandimal throw from deep mid-wicket to bowler Mathews caught him short while attempting a second run.
The Indian bowling was limited by the conditions but the attack stuck to its task on a batting paradise.
Openers Dilshan and Jayawardene had put on 49 in 11.5 overs when the skipper, creating room to cut left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, offered a face-high catch to Sehwag at slip. Then, Dilshan and Sangakkara began a long association.
Dilshan batted with rhythm and fluency of movement. He got on to his front foot nicely to get to the pitch of the ball and found the gaps. He also rocked back for some vicious pulls and displayed soft hands for the glide and the cut.
Runs had largely eluded Sangakkara in the tournament. This time, he dug in. The feature of Sangakkara's batsmanship is the quickness with which he picks the length. The southpaw's pick-up hit off Umesh Yadav that soared over the mid-wicket fence was a top shot. Sangakkara was eventually castled by a Praveen yorker after the second-wicket pair had added 200 runs.
But then, Kohli had the last word.
Scoreboard:
Sri Lanka: M. Jayawardene c Sehwag b Jadeja 22 (33b, 1x4, 1x6), T. Dilshan (not out) 160 (165b, 11x4, 3x6), K. Sangakkara b Praveen 105 (87b, 8x4, 2x6), T. Perera (run out) 3 (3b), A. Mathews c Ashwin b Zaheer 14 (10b, 1x4), D. Chandimal (not out) 2 (2b), Extras (lb-3, w-11) 14, Total (four four wkts in 50 overs) 320.
Fall of wkts: 1-49 (Jayawardene), 2-249 (Sangakkara), 3-279 (Perera), 4-309 (Mathews).
India bowling: Zaheer 9-0-61-1, Praveen 9-0-64-1, Yadav 8-0-56-0, Jadeja 9-0-43-1, Ashwin 9-0-52-0, Sehwag 3-0-24-0, Raina 2-0-17-0.
India: V. Sehwag c Dilshan b Maharoof 30 (16b, 5x4, 1x6), S. Tendulkar lbw b Malinga 39 (30b, 5x4), G. Gambhir (run out) 63 (64b, 4x4), V. Kohli (not out) 133 (86b, 16x4, 2x6), S. Raina (not out) 40 (24b, 3x4, 1x6), Extras (b-4, lb-6, w-6) 16, Total (for three wkts in 36.4 overs) 321.
Fall of wkts: 1-54 (Sehwag), 2-86 (Tendulkar), 3-201 (Gambhir).
Sri Lanka bowling: Malinga 7.4-0-96-1, Kulasekara 8-0-71-0, Maharoof 3-0-21-1, Perera 7-0-59-0, Mathews 7-0-44-0, Herath 4-0-20-0.
Keywords: India-Sri Lanka ODI, CB series, tri-series
If India could improve its field placement while bowling their task could become easier. Look at the number of leaked singles because of bad fielding pacements.As far as field placing is concerned both Australia and Srilanka are better than India.India captain needs to be more thoughtful in this department
I don't understand why Mahela took powerplay before 40th over at all, is
there any rule that bowling powerplay has to be taken before 40 overs.
If not, then why did he took the bowling powerplay.
Although, I don't think it would have made a lot of difference in the
end-result with the way Kohli and Raina played at the end..
Great work of kohli brought india a very wonderful victory. I wish the same in final too.
however batsman are in form.Hope india will get into final.........
kohli's performance was stuning.thanks to sachin and sehwag for a blasing opening.
Well done "INDIA" and Well played "Virat Kholi".Lastday INDIA proved they are the "CHAMPIONS" and VIRAT proved he is the "FUTURE OF INDIAN CRICKET".We hope India makes to finals and beat Australia in their own Soil. 'ALL THE BEST INDIA'
Awesome work by Indian cricket team!Hoping for our entry in final and we will lift the cup
Tremendous relief to see India win. It healed all those wounds of defeat.
I am surprised to see some sporting event topping the Most Popular tab and the title - '.... India's hopes alive' was even more surprising from a prominent, reputed and most respected daily like Hindu - is this where you think India's hopes lies?
It is a fantastic mainblowing winnng performance of india.virat kohli played played a another exlent matchwinning perfofmence in this match.I hopes india gone to finals aginst australia .And also special thanks to GAMBHIR,RAINA,KOHLI.congratulations for india.
INDIA is the true champions for ever.Congratultions to India and thanks to Kohli.
This victory is incredible and unimaginable.Congrats to Kohli and Raina
Virat's inings is now horrible for Australians. it would be intresting
to watch, what austalians will do.
Thats what World Champions do ....
I was very much impressed by kohli's great innings.
Finally we can say that India won the match by its team work only.Every batsmen played well.
A win at last, but in style. Typical of India in a tournament, lots of ifs and buts. Now sit your fingers crossexd for the Aussie-Lanka match result on 2nd March.
Its important to introspect the way the Indians batted against Sri
Lanka. A team whose form was a big question mark, suddenly started
batting as if they were hitting a rubber ball. The same team was finding
it difficult to cross even 200 through most part of the tour. One was
really made to wonder whether it was the same team or did they make
clones of these players and made them bat against the Lankans.
Hearty congratulations to Team India,Really a much needed victory and a
morale boosting one too.I hope that they play with the same willpower
and determination and possibly win the finals.Keep up the same tempo in
the remaining matches.All the best once again to all of you.
That's it. DO the same in the finals too...
One of the best ODI cricket seen ,excellent exhibition of cricket game by Virat Kohali, Indian team woke up very late , as a result Srilanka must lose rhe game against Australia on Friday @ MCG.
Congratualations to India:- I think this is the great game for indians.done a good job.kohli played well.He is special for india.India good replay for Aus Media.India is the best chasing team.The Indians are proved the best batting order.onece again congrates to India and all the best for final game.
India proved it's sterngth as world champians once agian .It was a great victory under pressure. Special thanks to our hero Virat Kohli. "THE MEN IN BLUE" deserve to be in the finals and win the trophy.Hope we could make it.congratulation! and all the best for team "INDIA"!
Actually i stopped watching cricket but this win made me do re-think on my decision..Gauti deserves the equal credit..hip hip hurray
Virat has proved that even Malinga can be bended. This would give the
strategy makers valuable inputs.
congratulations to team india and kohli.india batting well.if india played 50 overs the world record of the highest score in an innings is breaked.sehwag and sachin gave excellent start.they are pick up their form.All indians hope that india will be in final and win the CB series.
It is a good victory for India. Indian selectors should consider the efforts of Sachin and sewagh's opening run hunting. Both the senior players should be included for Asia Cup.
Challenged by rising popularity of hockey, Indian cricket would be commercially unviable if Dhoni boys don't win the current tri-series. ICC and all cricket boards know it and find ways to make India win.
I am not against Indian cricket. But, my doubt is the credibility of the
match. If AUS and SRL goes to final, it's a big blow to ESPN/STARSPORTS and ACB. So, I am thinking anything could have happened with the result of this match.
That's what I call a performance. Well done men in blues. Keep it up.
Another Star is in the cricket horoizon i.e.non other than Kohili
Congratulations
Congrats to the young men in blue, still there is an if, only if AUs defeats Lanka Blues are having a chance. See the comment of David Warner is it a veild warning of what to come!
Although very happy with the performance against Srilanka yesterday the team's weakness when facing genuine fast moving deliveries and playing on bouncy pitches neeed urgent attention. The BCCI should take all steps necessary to develop relevant skills and quality that can ensure consistency of performance, both in domestic and overseas tours. Effective bowling and fielding are also areas that need real attention. Ability to adapt to different conditions and to display proper attitude and sense of purpose have been a serious problem for many touring Indian teams. I hope the win yesterday is not used to hide and forget the problems.
If you hold positive attitude with single minded focus on achieving goals, it will automatically guide you to victory. At Hobart, the other day the body language of Indians amply demonstrated that they were looking pretty determined to win the contest at any cost and under any circumstances and stayed on to it until the last ball was bowled. Dhoni’s devils managed to pull off an incredible victory in just 36 hours with merciless batting the kind of which was hardly witnessed at any time in the past. Sachin and Sehwag gave the right start required to chase for Gambhir, Kohli and Raina to consolidate the gains. Indians played like a true champion right from the word go that left Sri Lankans mesmerizing and gasping for breath. Where there is a will there is definitely a way.
Certainly the effort of Kohli is great. However as we see the Score and the status of qualification, The doubt of great match fixing by BCCI cannot be ruled out. The Indian public has forgotten the ignonimity of the losses in the last 6 months. The Media has once again started fighting with each other for Cricket news. Now, with just onw match, the coffers of BCCI will once again start overflowing.
congratues to virat Kohli centuary,that earned the victory and retenthsip in the seires with 15 points each along with srilanka while australia being leading with 19 points.If only india repeats its scintling performance once more, while sewag, tandulkar, raina, kohli, gambhir and dhoni, & aswin, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR A ENTRANCE IN FINAL AND A GEAT WIN ALSO.THIS SAME TEMPO OF :killing INSTRICT" HAS TO COTNINUE TILL THE END. LET HOPE AND WISH THE TEAM AS WELL.
What a game!! I hope this confidance will continue if Indians are in finals. We are keeping our fingers crossed to see if SL loses Friday's match. We are waiting to book our tickets to Gabba first finals(home ground!!).Go guys get the job done!!
Good on you India and special tribute to Kohli. Indeed, this is a memorable victory and to see Kohli play like a possessed man makes it more thrilling. Having said that, the same Indian team is fighting for survival and this is the crucial question. It is time we move away from Hero worship and select only the best. Even on TV, THE PHYSICAL FITNESS of some players was appalling. I am not sure why the coach did not address these issues. This is a wake up call.
Had our team given this kind of a performance earlier in the series, we
wouldn't have been under this kind of a pressure and now having to pray
for Sri Lanka to lose their match against Australia.
congratulations India.special thanks to today's hero Kohli and my hero Raina. you deserve to be world champions.we along with the whole country's heart beats for your victory.blessings are always with you and for you.
What a brilliant performance by both teams, especially India. I thought they were dead and buried after Sri Lanka's heroics. But this is the spirit needed from the Indian Maestros if they are to re-start winning in Cricket.
A fantabulous performance of the Team INDIA.Congratulations for this stunning win
Congratulations to team INDIA.A fantabulous performance of team players leads to a fantabulous victory
I am not a fan of Indian cricket team, but it' just impossible to keep quiet about their incredible performance today. Winning is one thing and winning with a bonus point under the circumstances is another. Great show by the team and keep it up!
This is the Great game of World champions.. keep this play up to 2015 World cup . Then again World Winners are our INDIAN TEAM . congrats to Winning Indian team. And thanks for good opening ( Sachin,Sehwag). And special thanks to KOHLI, GAMBHIR and RAINA to participate in Thrilling Win. finnaly thanks to HINDU to give us latest information about the match.
Superb performance by Indian batsmen..Everything went right since they started batting . Sachin and Sehwag gave a good starting. Virat played an extra ordinary innings.Gambhir and Raina also played a supportive innings. It was a worth watching match to see.
Congratulations for the Indian team for there stunning knife-edge victory over the islanders.
Excellent record in world break real championship india team thanks for virat........
Well, the Indians never let the fans go easy do they. Having butchered the Lankans in this match, every Indian fan will be eager to see this team get through to the Final and hand a similar treatment to the Aussies. But before that is to happen, the same Indian fan will be hoping, ironically, that the Aussies smash the Lankans in the last league game such that the Lankans' run-rate will be lower than that of the Indians'. this shuold done by aussies in last league match because they are also fire on srilankans by loss the lost in 9 th odi of triseries!i hope it....................
This is the real champions cricket.....congrates 2 india n thanks 2 kohli gambhir....
Congratulations India,
Sachin and Sehwag start the match with energetic performance, and Kohli<-->Gautham plays a"---CRUCIAL----" role and Raina given good standing.
..........All The Best for India.......
Dear Mr. David Warner
You seem to be out of touch for sometime. But I am here to help you: If
Australia beat Sri Lanka in the Friday's match, then India will
automatically qualify because they are 2-1 up to Sri Lanka in one to one
clashes.
it was great fairy tale for Indian cricket....
This is the real champions cricket.....congrates 2 india n thanks 2 kohli..
All the way struggling India could make such a victory has proved that its potential is higher than the present form. Nothing is impossible if they really need to win, the result is not a surprise but an underlining of its strength. Congrats Virat and Indian team.
The defending champions proved they are still the best ODI team in the world.This is one of the best chase by an Indian team.Virat played an extra ordinary innings.In this game,the openers too return to form.finally what a chase.
hats off to team INDIA.
Superb performance by Indian batsmen! This CB series is turning into be most interesting CB series ever. Whomsoever lifts the trophy now but I feel these all 3 teams are equally deserving.
what an excitement!!!.great match for india.....congratulations india
team and all supporters.....all the best for final match... best match
of the series,.....
well done Indian team.Virat kohli you are the diamond of Indian team.we saw it today.
Kohli rocks today with stylish batting
Keep Rocking ..........
Congrats to Team India. But consistency does matter. The tri-series is
relit.
It was an absolute ripper from team INDIA. Everything went right since they started batting .It was two vital 100 run partnerships that ensured fabulous victory for INDIANS.
though the victory came a bit too late they still have the chance to make to the finals.This match remembers me the 434 chase down by the SOUTH AFRICANS.
It seemed like INDIA would have chased down any target put forth to them.
Indian batting proved their strength and it was rain of boundaries all through the park.
Lets Hope the Aussies Beat the LANKANS on MARCH 2nd!!!!
What a brilliant performance by both teams, especially India. I thought they were dead and buried after Sri Lanka's heroics. But this is the spirit needed from the Indian Maestros if they are to re-start winning in Cricket.
Incredible India Cricket Team !
Well-done boys. Keep it up always.
nice effort made by kohli and raina.....
Jai Ho! I'm highly excited and what the Indian players did today is no
less than a miracle.They have shon their capabilities and one thing more
only indians are proficient to do miracles. JUST THINK why it's a
MIRACLE.
Sachin and Sehwag hitting the boundary and coming a good form in past today odi's series. smash hitting the boundary for gautam and kohli is reaching a 100+ then raina and kohli hitting a sixes and fours there is too good partnership is very well,then otherwise sehwag and sachin gives a shocking a hits good boundary then 50+ runs and india getting a bonus point today odi's tri-series in bellerive,oval hobart. and no comments for sehwag and sachin they are also verygood batsman's in stars of indian team and including dhoni and yuvi.
This is not fair. Kohli makes a world class hundred worth remembering for a life time to lead India to victory, not to mention he actually stayed till theend and finished off the match. But instead of giving him a larger share of the credit, this article actually doesnt even give him even equal credit. Instead they have even found space to cram Sachin (oh!!i dont know many matches he has finished off for India!!) Tendulkar into it. Pathetic!! It it was Sachin , I can only imagine what kind of headlines would have been made. Kohli deserves all the plaudits. The article should highlight Kohli's innings more prominently.
One of the finest match of one cricket History! Hats off to Indian Team. I will definitely cherish the day for years to come.
suprub innings will be remembered for long.
India will win in finals
No amount of praise will be adequate for Kohli's effort.
Congratulations for the Indian team for there stunning knife-edge victory over the islanders.
Well, the Indians never let the fans go easy do they! Having butchered the Lankans in this match, every Indian fan will be eager to see this team get through to the Final and hand a similar treatment to the Aussies. But before that is to happen, the same Indian fan will be hoping, ironically, that the Aussies smash the Lankans in the last league game such that the Lankans' run-rate will be lower than that of the Indians'.
Does this team really deserve such a chance in the final?!?
India Triumphs:
When pushed to the corner, always India has the habit of creating records...Let the players be always in pressure mode!!!
Absolute ripper from the INDIANS.Indians bounced back under pressure .They tasted the victory but it was a bit too late even though they have a chance to make to the final.Extraordinary batting, the top order fired and provided a good start which was capitalized by the batsmen who followed then.The two Hundered run Partnership between KOHLI-GAUTI and KOHI-RAINA was crucial.It remembers the 434 chase by SOUTHAFRICAN's against the Aussies.So on the whole Dhoni will be pleased as well as the INDIAN fans.
Let's wait for the final LEAGUE match on MARCH 2nd!!!.
india now is on hunt.they will wait for the result of match of AUS vs SL
superb.. ODI in the international cricket.. congratsss to india. and hope we will see indian team in finals...
sensational innings by kohli.
Clearly shows that our top order had been failing in earlier matches making no way for the mid order to capitalize. . .
Where did this spirit go before?
Extraordinary feat, bordering on unbelievability.
Virat Kohli, the entertainer and Indian selectors must consider the young to experience to deliver results.
Similarly, yound Indians must replace the corrupt old politicians as they ruin and tarnish the image on India. Indians need to start a spring to clean India's corrupt leaders.
Congratulations India! Fantabulous WIN. In recent one history this match has been the greatest one. This match will do into history much much memorable one and those who missed it watching will rue their luck.
Yes, Its My India, nothing is impossible for India.
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