India recorded the biggest-ever victory in one-day cricket internationals after they thrashed Sri Lanka by 317 runs in the final ODI in Sri Lanka.
Virat Kohli
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The result sealed a 3-0 series sweep for India.
The result is a warning for the Black Caps who now meet India in an ODI series.
Former captain Virat Kohli finished unbeaten on 166 for the hosts, while Shubman Gill hit 116 from 97 balls as India made 390-5 from their 50 overs.
Sri Lanka were then bowled out for 73 after Mohammed Siraj took 4-32.
New Zealand’s 290-run victory over Ireland in Aberdeen in 2008 was the previous highest winning margin.
The record victory was built on a stunning innings from Kohli on a slow surface in Thiruvananthapuram.
The 34-year-old, who moved to within three centuries of equalling Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI hundreds, was ably assisted by Gill, with the pair putting on 131 for the second wicket.
It was Kohli’s 10th century in one-day internationals against Sri Lanka – the most of any batter against a single opposition.
Siraj helped to reduce the visitors to 39-6 in the 12th over as Sri Lanka careered towards defeat
Kuldeep Yadav (2-16) took two of the final four wickets to secure the record winning margin.
“Today I was happy to be batting out there and in that space I end up playing good cricket. I am in a nice space right now, just (trying to) be organic,” said Kohli, who was named the man of the series, having also scored a century in the first match.
“It’s disappointing. Not a game we wanted. It happens,” said Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka.
“We need to learn how to manage the start. Bowlers should learn how to take wickets on these decks, and the batters should learn to score.”
India play New Zealand in Hyderabad on Wednesday in the first of three ODI’s.
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