Kholi proves England’s nemesis once again as he carries India to victory in run-fest

England’s record one-day score against India was not enough to avoid defeat in the first ODI in Pune as Virat Kohli’s genius again proved the difference in Pune.

The tourists posted 350 for seven, their ninth highest total of all time, but even that could not contain Kohli, whose 122 was his 27th century in the format and underlined his claim to be 50-over cricket’s best ever chaser. England watched him pile on 655 runs in the Test series before Christmas and again bowed to his brilliance as he hit five sixes and eight fours to win his first match as India’s one-day captain by three wickets.

That local boy Kedar Jadhav was pushed into the shadows despite scoring a rapid 120 says everything about Kohli’s star power and the pair put on 200 in 24.3 overs after coming together in some peril at 63 for four.

None of England’s batsmen went on to three figures but at halfway it looked as though Joe Root (78), Jason Roy (73) andbenstokes(62)hadhelped post a defendable target.

England captain Eoin Morgan was in phlegmatic mood after his side’s defeat.

He said: “We had runs on the board, but we wanted to bowl first to see what a good score was.

“Conditions were very tough for bowlers and, after posting 350, you think you’re in the game. It’s tough to take, but credit to them. They played really well, got themselves in and didn’t give us many chances.

“You are never out of the game no matter what situation you are in. We know what it feels like to chase 350. We were in the game for most of it.”

Match-winner Kohli, added: “This one will take a while to sink in. Chasing 350 and four down it took a special partnership to get us over the line.”