Kohli - "Karnage" keeps India's hopes alive

A sensational innings from Virat Kohli saw India thrash Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the eleventh match of the Commonwealth Bank Series at Hobart, today. India not only chased down a Himalayan total of 320, also picked up the important bonus point by getting there in 36.4 overs to keep their hopes alive in this triangular.

Chasing an improbable 321 to win, the Indian batsmen finally came good with the opening pair leading the chase. Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag got off to a blistering start as the duo added 54 runs in just 6.2 overs. Sehwag scored a quick 30 off 16 and Tendulkar got to a brisk 39 off 30. Both openers looked in murderous mood as they treated the Sri Lankan bowling with utter disdain. Sehwag, however, fell after mistiming a pull to mid on while Tendulkar was out leg before to Malinga.

The momentum set by the opening pair was carried forward by the two Delhi boys. Gautam Gambhir (63) looked solid as a rock and anchored the chase with Virat Kohli adding 115 runs for the 3rd wicket. Gambhir looked in supreme touch as he pulled and drove with sheer authority. The pair ran hard between the wicket and put away the bad balls to the boundary.

Virat Kohli started his innings cautiously as he struggled to time the ball. He, initially, looked to pick up the singles and hand over the strike to Gambhir but came into his own after he crossed 30. His unbeaten 133 of 86 balls reminded many of the “desert storm” that Tendulkar played in Sharjah in 1998 against the Australians. Kohli’s ninth ODI hundred contained 16 fours and two massive sixes. He was particularly harsh on Lasith Malinga, plundering 24 runs of one of his overs. Malinga had one of his worst nights as he ended with figures of 96 runs in 7.4 overs.

Kohli showed immense maturity by pacing the chase beautifully. His measured approach at the start displayed his cricketing acumen. He, however, exploded when Suresh Raina joined him at the crease. An out of form Suresh Raina did what he does best as he remained unbeaten on 40 of just 24 deliveries. The pair of Kohli and Raina snatched the game away from the Sri Lankans by adding 120 runs in 9.1 overs.

Earlier, MS Dhoni finally won the toss and asked the Lankans to bat. The Lankans made use of a flat wicket and piled up a huge 320/4 thanks to a magnificent 160 not out from TM Dilshan and an artistic 105 from their glove man Kumara Sangakkara. The pair added exactly 200 runs for the second wicket and put India on the ropes. The Indians looked below par on the field and the bowling lacked intensity.

TM Dilshan struggled initially to cope with the incoming deliveries but Sangakkara looked in pristine touch and played an innings as attractive as several of his abrupt cameos this tournament. The Indian pacers bowled the wrong line and the spinners dropped it short providing both the batsmen with ample opportunities to score off. The fielding too looked insipid and an array of fumbles and misfields never created the pressure on the Sri Lankan pair.

Except an economical spell from Ravindra Jadeja, all the bowlers went for above six runs an over including Zaheer Khan, who made to the eleven for an injured Irfan Pathan.

The win today gives India the smallest window of opportunity to get into the finals. India, now, has to depend on the outcome of the next game between Australia and Sri Lanka to decide their fate in the tournament. A Sri Lankan win, or a tie, or a wash-out in the final league game will take Sri Lanka ahead of India on points. If Australia win that match, India will go through though they are tied with SL on points. India are 2-1 up on SL on head-to-head now, with one tie.

But as of now the Indian fans can rejoice what has been an absolute superb performance from the Men in Blue.

Watch the Kohli “Karnage” right here….