Kohli’s ton trumps Shanaka’s unbeaten knock

India’s Virat Kohli’s 45th one- day century took him closer to Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49. (BCCI photo)
India’s Virat Kohli’s 45th one- day century took him closer to Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49. (BCCI photo)

(Reuters) – Virat Kohli struck a brilliant century to guide India to a 67-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first of their three-match one-day international series in Guwahati yesterday.

Kohli made 113 runs, hitting 12 fours and a six in his 87-ball display. It was the former captain’s 45th ODI hundred and he is only four short of Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record.

Captain Rohit Sharma scored 83 and Shubman Gill made 70 as India ended their innings at 373-7 after being put in to bat first.

Sri Lanka’s skipper Dasun Shanaka scored an unbeaten century albeit in a losing cause yesterday. (Photo courtesy Sri Lanka Cricket Board)

In response, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka made an unbeaten 108 while opener Pathum Nissanka scored a solid 72, but it did not prove enough as the visitors failed to chase the big total.

The teams will next meet in the second ODI in Kolkata tomorrow followed by the third and final game in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.

Before the ODI series, India won the Twenty20 series 2-1.