the ignominy is complete with Virat Kohli's 21st century !

The nightmare is over at last – Srilanka did play good cricket today .. Angelo Mathews led from front making a grand century after 24 fifties. 137 from 113 balls with 10 sixers.  In the last 10 overs they scored 114 runs – the only blot was the final over of Dhawal Kulkarni in which SL managed only 4 – and that included 2 wides bowled.

Lanka had the right start too – Mathews removed both Rahane and Sharma in single digits – Indians down 14/2 before Rayudu and Kohli had 136 runs partnership when Rayudu was run out – 180 Uthappa gone; 215 Jadhav gone; 231 Binny; 231 Ashwin gone – still 57 runs to go – there was a match – but not when Kohli is still batting.

Akhsar Patel looked confident – before that in over no. 43 of Eranga, Kohli with a clam dab reached his 21st century. Quite outstanding !!! Only Tendulkar (49 / 452 innings); Ricky Ponting (30 / 365); Sanath Jayasuriya (28 / 433); Sourav Ganguly (22 / 300) above him.  He is on par with Hershelle Gibbs (21 / 240) and Chris Gayle (21 / 253) …… Virat Kohli has taken only 138 innings to reach this magical figure.

Perhaps the only time when Kohli was down (photo credit BCCI)

In the penultimate over, India required 13 off 12 – first of Mendis disappeared over long on – a helicopter, this time from Virat  and the 4th ball 6 sealed the Series – Kohli 139 not out.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.

16.11.14 @ 21.35 hrs.