Kohli leads India to record ODI victory over SLanka

Virat Kohli smashed an unbeaten 166 to help India beat Sri Lanka by 317 runs and record the highest ever victory margin in a One-day International as they swept the series 3-0 on Sunday.

Kohli’s third century in his last four matches and 116 by opener Shubman Gill powered India to 390-5 in Thiruva nanthapuram.

Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj then returned impressive figures of 4-32 and India bowled out the tourists for 73 in 22 overs as India went past New Zealand’s 290-run thrashing of Ireland in 2008.

A 131-run second-wicket stand between Gill and Kohli, who surpassed Sri Lankan great Mahela Jayawardene’s 12,650 ODI runs to enter the top five alltime run getters, stood out after India elected to bat first.

Nicknamed “King Kohli”, the former captain has been in blazing form since coming out of an extended lean patch last year when he spoke about his mental struggles during the phase.

“Ever since I came back from the break, I am feeling good and I don’t have desperation anymore to get to a milestone,” Kohli said after being named man of the match and series.

“I want to continue being in this space where I am relaxed and content with how I am playing, and that for me is the most important thing. Today I was happy to be batting out there, and in that space I end up playing my best cricket.”

Kohli, 34, has amassed 12,754 runs in 268 ODI matches for India, behind Sachin Tendulkar (18,426), Kumar Sangakkara (14,234), Ricky Ponting (13,704) and Sanath Jayasuriya (13,430).

Gill put on 95 runs for the opening wicket with skipper Rohit Sharma, who made 42, to set the tone for the team’s batting domination.