Mighty Virat Kohli earns bonus point for Dhoni & Co

Hobart - 29 Feb 2012:Virat Kohliplayed the innings of his life to script a miraculous victory for India on a pleasant evening on Tuesday. His monumental effort helped India achieve the 'mission impossible' in an epic run-chase againstSri Lankain their tri-series game.

The victory will prove to be doubly sweet for India if Australia defeat Sri Lanka in their last league game which will give the Men in Blue an unexpected entry into the Tri-series finals.

Not many would have given India a semblance of a chance after Sri Lanka posted a mammoth 320 for 4. That imposing tally had to be chased down in 40 overs since India had to win by a bonus point to stay alive.

Yet, riding on the brilliance of Kohli's ninthODIhundred, India rose from the ashes to put up their best batting performance of the summer. The fact that they raced off to their target (321-3) in just 36.4 overs sums up their total domination of the Sri Lankan bowling.

One is not sure what the Indians had for dinner or what was discussed within the team at the break. But the Indians played like a team possessed in what became a 40-over shoot-out for them.

Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar made their intentions clear putting on 54 runs in 6.4 overs. In the next phase,Gautam Gambhirand Kohli kept the momentum going, sharing a 115-run stand for the third wicket.

When it came to the final act, Kohli turned it on in the company of Suresh Raina. Together they added an amazing 120 runs in mere 55 balls taking the Sri Lankan bowlers to the cleaners.

When Gambhir (63; 64b, 4x4) was run out in the 28th over, India needed 120 runs at almost 10 runs an over. But then, the last phase of the run chase was as brilliant as it was thrilling. Sri Lanka brought in Lasith Malinga, the world's best bowler at the death overs. For India, Kohli took it upon himself to provide the necessary fireworks.

The defining moment of India's run-chase came in the 35th over when Kohli's took a couple off Malinga's first ball to complete his century.

At the moment he reached the landmark, he didn't go overboard. He waved his bat, smiled and kissed his helmet. Perhaps the six he hit over mid-wicket off the next ball was his way of celebrating his knock. Then he creamed the next four deliveries for consecutive boundaries. That over from Malinga cost 24 runs and his overall figures of 7.4-0-96-1 indicate how badly he was roughed up.

Kohli finished 133 not out off just 86 balls in which he smashed 16 fours and two sixes. Suresh Raina played his part to perfection scoring 40 off 24 balls which included a flicked six off Malinga.

Sri Lanka had earlier feasted on a listless Indian bowling and fielding as they posted their best total (320-4) in the series. The Indians somehow lacked intensity in the field. Tillakaratne Dilshan (160*; 165b, 11x4, 3x6) and Kumar Sangakkara (105; 87b, 8x4,2x6) made the most of the offerings on the placid pitch featuring in a 200-run stand for the second wicket.

There were three hundreds scored in the game but Kohli's effort eclipsed everything.

source: TNN