Kohli steers India to 5-0 whitewash over Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: Virat Kohli hit his second century in a row as India thrashed Sri Lanka by six wickets in the fifth one-day international to inflict a humiliating 5-0 series defeat on the beleaguered hosts.

Kohli smashed nine fours in his unbeaten 110-run knock to help the visitors achieve the target of 239 with 21 balls to spare at the R. Premadasa stadium in Colombo.

The series win came after India swept the preceding three-Test rubber 3-0, capping their domination of the home side which has been beset by injury and selection woes.

This was India’s second 5-0 whitewash in an away ODI series with Kohli’s men having blanked Zimbabwe in 2013.

Sri Lanka squandered the opportunity to salvage some pride, folding up for a belowpar 238 in 49.4 overs after paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar grabbed a career-best 5-42.

“It’s quite amazing to have won the series 5-0. We always thought the shorter format is going to be much more challenging,” said Kohli. “The youngsters and the spunk on the field has worked for us. All round, it’s been a complete series for us. ■

CHITTAGONG: Bangladesh reached 253-6 at stumps on the opening day of the second Test against Australia in Chittagong yesterday.

Nathan Lyon grabbed five wickets but skipper Mushfiqur Rahim held steady with an unbeaten 62. Nasir Hossain was also not out at 19.