Star Indian batter Virat Kohli scored a sensational hundred in the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. Kohli scored a magnificent 166 off 110 balls with the help of 13 fours and 8 sixes as he registered his second-highest ODI score and the highest score while batting first. India posted a mammoth 390/5 on the board in their allotted 50 overs and beat Sri Lanka by a world-record margin of 317 runs as Mohammed Siraj picked up a four-fer to skittle Sri Lanka for 73.
Kohli won the ‘Man of the Match’ award for his match-winning ton and also the ‘Man of the Series’ for scoring 283 runs in the series, which included two centuries. Speaking in the post-match presentation Kohli said that his mindset is always to help the team win and not worry about the milestones.
“I have no idea (when asked about the MoS awards he has won). For me, it is just a byproduct of the intent I have, the mindset that I play with. Mindset is always to help the team win, bat for as long as possible and if you do that, you end up making a difference. I have always played for the right reasons, help the team as much as possible. It is just intent, playing for the right reasons,” said Virat in a post-match presentation ceremony.
“Ever since I came back from the long break, I have been feeling good. I do not have that desperation to get to a milestone. I am just enjoying my batting, being in a space where I can relax. Today as well, I was just happy to be out there batting. I am in a nice space right now and want this to continue,” he added.
Siraj has come up, has been outstanding: Virat Kohli
Kohli also showered praise on Mohammed Siraj for his fiery spell and his remarkable ability to pick wickets in the powerplay.
“Shami has always been there for us but the way Siraj has come up has been outstanding. He has taken the maximum number of wickets in the powerplay, which was an issue for us early. He is always making the batters think, which is a great sign for us going into the World Cup,” concluded Virat while lauding Shami and Siraj for their performances.
With this win, India has clinched the series 3-0. They have also recorded the biggest win in terms of runs in the history of ODI cricket and are the first team ever to register a win by a margin of 300 runs or more. India will next play a three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting on 18th January.
