What a chase! Kohli steers India to a stunning victory against Lanka

Hobart: What a chase! When it looked Sri Lanka -- who amassed a mammoth 320 runs batting first -- had virtually knocked India out of the Tri-Series, riding high on an impeccable and incredible innings (133 off 86 balls) by Virat Kohli, India did the unexpected by not only thrashing the Lankans by seven wickets but they did it inside 40 overs. That not only earned India a bonus point, but has also kept their chances of reaching the final of Commonwealth Bank Series alive.

Chasing a massive total of 320 and that too inside 40 overs if India had to give themselves any chance to play the final, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar began the innings in their signature style and gave India a flying start, scoring 54 off 6.2 overs before Sehwag gave a catch to Dilshan of Maharoof. Tendulkar was joined on the crease by Gautam Gambhir and when it looked as if they were set for a big partnership, Malinga gave lanka the break when he plumbed the Little Master on 39.

Then came Virat Kohli and in company of Gautam Gambhir, he resurrected the Indian innings with a pace that started giving India the hope of reaching the final. The duo added 115 in 17 overs before Gambhir ran himself out on 63. Suresh Raina joined Kohli and the youngsters flourished in each other’s company, steering India to a great victory. Suresh Raina scored an unbeaten 40 of 23 balls.

Earlier, impressive centuries from Tillakaratne Dilshan (160) and Kumar Sangakkara (105) helped Sri Lanka post a daunting total of 320.

Sri Lanka put to bat first ran havoc and the combination of Sangakkara and Dilshan smashed Indian bowlers all over the park to build a 200 run partnership. Dilshan was more severe out of the two and scored 160 including 11 boundaries and three huge sixes leveling his previous best scores. Sangakkara was also played an attacking innings and completed his century in 87 balls.

Indian bowlers were clueless and bowled without any rhythm to make the task easier for the Sri Lankan batsmen.