Imperious Virat Kohli takes India home against Sri Lanka in Hobart

Hobart, Feb.28 (ANI): An imperious batting display by Virat Kohli helped India defeat Sri Lanka in a must win Commonwealth Bank series match at the Bellerieve Oval here on Tuesday.

Replying to Sri Lanka's total of 320 for the loss of four wickets, India, which needed to score 321 in 40 overs, reached the target in 36.4 overs for the loss of three wickets. India also claimed a bonus point as well to equal Sri Lanka in the points tally at 15 apiece. Australia still leads the table on 19 points. India's entry into the best of three finals will still depend on a mathematical equation, as also on the result of the match that is to be played between Sri Lanka and Australia on Friday.

If Australia loses to Sri Lanka, then India will not make the finals.

Kohli scored an unbeaten 133, while left hand batsman Suresh Raina scored an unbeaten 40. Earlier, Virender Sehwag (30), Sachin Tendulkar (39) and Gautam Gambhir (63) helped India to maintain momentum while undertaking the run chase.

Sehwag and Tendulkar gave India the required counter-attacking explosive start that allowed Gambhir to continue in the save vein in the company of Kohli.

Lankan fast bowlers Nuwan Kulasekara and Lasith Malinga were tonked all over the field, conceding 77 and 96 runs of their respective overs.

For Sri Lanka, Tillakaratne Dilshan scored an unbeaten 160, while wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara scored 105. (ANI)