That's the end of a one-sided series. Both teams head to more important assignments - India leave for Australia in 48 hours, Sri Lanka have an ODI series at home against England. Only 90-odd days to go for the WC and both teams will have a different make-up there. Thanks for the comments and feedback. It's time for us to sign off. Ciao ciao.
"Little worried and little annoyed (when running out of partners). You have to understand the match situations," Kohli says. "There needs to be more application. The Akshar played a composed innings, he listened to me. The ball wasn't quite coming on. It wasn't easy once the ball got old. I was running out of partners and that is something others need to learn from this on how to maintain composure. If you want to make others to do something else, it has to start from me. I played the helicopter and it came off well, playing in MS' hometown, it worked well. You saw the character and composure of some young guys in the series. Rohit's knock was legendary and it won't be bettered soon."
He also thanks the Sri Lankan team for coming to India on a short notice to play the series and wishes them well.
"Unfortunately we did not play good cricket once again and India did play very well," Mathews says. "It was a tough wicket. I thought I needed to hang in there and build a partnership with Thirimanne and later i had a go and it clicked. We batted pretty well and 287 was a huge score on this pitch. But Kohli batted very well and best of luck to them in Australia. We got to flush this out of the system as soon as possible and need to gear up for the England series."
Angelo Mathews win an award for being the Trusted Player of the match. He is also the Allrounder of the Match - he gets a scooter for this. More importantly he is the Man of the Match for today too. He also shared an award with Kohli for being the top-scorer in the match.
Virat Kohli, however, is the Man of the Series
One superb innings to counter the other! You can say there was not much to pick between the two captains - maybe Angelo Mathews' innings one notch above Kohli's but the second one has won India the match and completed a 5-0 whitewash. It's the first time Sri Lanka have been dealt this bad a blow in a bilateral series.
This was a difficult pitch to bat and both batsmen showed their class and produced high-class innings. Sri Lanka's innings suffered for the first 40 overs before Mathews lifted it. India were in the chase but losing wickets before Kohli lifted them with a late charge. Just for the balance between the bat and ball, this was probably the best match of the series. Mathews had wanted his team to fight one last time but it was him and only him who seemed to be doing everything. He registered his maiden ODI century. In the end, it was not enough as Kohli racked up a staggering 21st hundred.
"It was pretty tough, not as easy as other wicket," Rayudu says. "Enjoyed the partnership with Kohli. Runouts happen. Our understanding will improve as we will play more. But more importantly, he finished the game. It's a good win for us going into Australia and hopefully we will keep working hard."
RK: "Mathews's 139 vs. Kholi 139 - Great performances from both the Captains. Both are equally good keeping the situations both the teams were in. SL 4 - 0 down, India 231 - 7. Good for India as they were tested today."
Anand: "Kohli has now captained India in two bilateral series and won both 5-0 !!! "
suneej: "i feel sorry for sri lankans, they had a decent year till they leave to india with a short notice. They only here for BCCI to cover the revenue loss, at the end getting bullied like this. this will harm their preparation for world cup big time. I still believe they are better side"
aziz: "See you in Australia Mr. Virat. nonetheless a masterclass of an innings. play well outside the and establish yourself and come out of the shadow of sachin and dhoni, "
Manish : "Cricket isn't all about pitches (flat track, green top, dust bowl etc.). You still need the nerves to stay calm under pressure and Kohli possesses this quality. Sign of a champion batsman and a leader!"
Mayank Aggarwal: "Everyone praising Kohli for the staggering 21st hundred but one should keep in mind Rayudu's contribution in the middle order and Akshar Patel's sensible batting giving Kohli company and making some quick runs too without playing any dangerous shots."
Does the helicopter impression after playing that shot. We are in the Dhoni country, it had to make an appearance
A stroll for India from here. Unless two wickets go down in two balls. Mathews in long conversation with Mendis, who comes in to bowl
END OF OVER:48 | 8 Runs | IND: 274/7 (13 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 5.70, RRR: 6.50)
- Virat Kohli126 (123b)
- Axar Patel16 (13b)
- Angelo Mathews7-1-33-2
- Shaminda Eranga7-0-45-0
Captain v Captain.
DanielAlexander: "Mathews v Kohli #OneOnOne #LastBattle "
Another good over for India. Sri Lanka need a wicket. They need it now.
Arun: "Why is Mathews not bringing himself on? "
He is here now Arun.
END OF OVER:47 | 13 Runs | IND: 266/7 (21 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 5.65, RRR: 7.00)
- Axar Patel14 (11b)
- Virat Kohli120 (119b)
- Shaminda Eranga7-0-45-0
- Ajantha Mendis9-0-59-4
Now they have a third man
Eranga is here. 34 off 24
END OF OVER:46 | 13 Runs | IND: 253/7 (34 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 5.50, RRR: 8.50)
- Virat Kohli114 (116b)
- Axar Patel8 (8b)
- Ajantha Mendis9-0-59-4
- Seekkuge Prasanna10-0-42-0
Suddenly after that over, it doesn't look so daunting for India anymore
Kohli still not getting much strike, only two balls in the last two overs, and SL doing well to keep him away. The groundstaff comes out with the carpet to wipe the outfield. Five overs, he has the strike now.
Only four batsmen have been able to play well on this pitch, that tell you it wasn't one of those belters. Mathews' was an excellent one, and so is Kohli's. No wonder it's getting a bit tight here. Big delay as groundstaff carries on wiping the dew off the outfield
OK, back to Mendis now.
END OF OVER:45 | 7 Runs | IND: 240/7 (47 runs required from 30 balls, RR: 5.33, RRR: 9.40)
- Axar Patel7 (7b)
- Virat Kohli102 (111b)
- Seekkuge Prasanna10-0-42-0
- Ajantha Mendis8-0-46-4
Israr: "@Ravindra its probably because a long partnership gives guys in the dressing room a false sense of security and they start feeling things are easy in the middle when they are not."
