Kohli ends lean run as India thump Sri Lanka

Virat Kohli went to his seventeenth Test century as India set Sri Lanka a target of 550 to win before bowling the hosts out for 245 to record a 304 run win.
Kohli moved from an overnight score of 76 to 103 before declaring with Ajinkya Rahane (23*) joining him in having a dip early on day four.
With nearly two full days left Sri Lanka faced a nearly impossible task and two of the best bowler’s in the world in spinning conditions in Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Sri Lanka needed to show application but as has been the case for most of the last year it was sorely lacking.
Apart perhaps for Dimuth Karunaratne who ground out 97 off 208 balls, he had little to no assistance though with Upul Tharanga (10) and Danushka Gunathilaka (2) unable to see off the seamers.
Kusal Mendis (36) did well until he poked at one from Jadeja and got a faint edge through the keeper, with Kohli opting to review after a not out decision on the field, ultraedge provided confirmation of a noise as the ball past the bat.
Angelo Mathews (2) attempted a criminal slog across the line to leave the team in all sorts at 116/4.
Niroshan Dickwella (67) was unusually restrained but Ashwin would account for him to expose the lower order.
Dilruwan Perera’s arrival as the last recognized batsman left the game on the brink of an India win.
Karunaratne’s vigil was ended when he was castled by Ashwin before he and spin twin Jadeja wrapped up the tail.
Rangana Herath did not bat after picking up an injury in the field.
India take a 1-0 lead in the three match series.
Latest
-
News
Dale Steyn heaps praise on Pakistan trio, prefers PSL over IPL
Record South African fast bowler Dale Steyn is full of praise for Pakistan players Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Babar Azam.
-
News
Chris Gayle sets sights on third T20 World Cup title
West Indies veteran Chris Gayle has set his sights on winning a third T20 World Cup when he makes his return to international cricket.
-
News
Cricket in line to receive significant chunk of £300m sports recovery package
The England and Wales Cricket Board welcomed the support, describing it as “a lifeline for parts of the game”.
-
News
Marcus Trescothick relishing return to ‘special environment’ with England
Trescothick is England’s new batting coach.
-
News
Jack Leach feels here to stay after establishing himself as top England spinner
Leach made his debut almost three years ago in New Zealand but had made only 10 appearances before the turn of the year.
-
News
Kevin O’Brien says century against England helped Ireland ‘reach for the stars’
O’Brien hit a 50-ball 113 as Ireland chased down a target of 328 in the 2011 World Cup.
-
News
Ian Harvey is Gloucestershire interim coach after Richard Dawson joins England
Dawson has accepted the position of ECB elite pathway coach
-
News
Marcus Trescothick, Jon Lewis and Jeetan Patel join England’s coaching staff
Trescothick has left his assistant’s role at Somerset.
-
News
Ben Foakes focuses on squaring the series with England
The tourists are 2-1 down going into the final Test against India.
-
News
Stonewall praises Steven Davies and warns ‘attitudes need to shift across sport’
The 34-year-old wicketkeeper announced he was gay 10 years ago.