New Delhi - Virat Kohli has scored an unbeaten hundred as India beat Sri Lanka by three wickets to secure a 5-0 series whitewash in the fifth one-day international in Ranchi on Sunday.
Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews smashed an unbeaten 139 to propel his side to 286 for eight from their 50 overs, reports the supersport.com website.
The visitors found themselves in a bind following the cheap dismissals of debutant opener Niroshan Dickwella (4) and keeper/batsman Denesh Chandimal (5) after Mathews won the toss and decided to bat first at the JSCA International Cricket Stadium.
With the dismissal of the experienced Mahela Jayawardene (32) in the 19th over with the scoreboard on 85 for four, the hosts seemed to be in complete control.
However Mathews combined with Lahiru Thirimanne (52) to grab the game by the scruff of the neck with a determined 128-run fifth-wicket partnership that changed the course of their innings.
The allround Mathews accelerated considerably in the latter part of his 116-ball knock, plundering 10 sixes and 6 fours along the way.
Rookie seam bowler Dhawal Kulkarni was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-57 from 8 overs.
The hosts made two changes with a debut for Kedar Jadhav who came in to replace Suresh Raina, while Umesh Yadav was rested for Ravichandran Ashwin.
Meanwhile the islanders looking to redeem themselves following a dismal series thus far, failing to win a single match and trail 4-0, brought in Niroshan Dickwella for his debut as well.
Teams:
India: RG Sharma, AM Rahane, AT Rayudu, V Kohli (captain), KM Jadhav, RV Uthappa (wicketkeeper), STR Binny, AR Patel, R Ashwin, KV Sharma, DS Kulkarni
Sri Lanka: TM Dilshan, N Dickwella, LD Chandimal (wickekeeper), DPMD Jayawardene, AD Mathews (captain), HDRL Thirimanne, NLTC Perera, S Prasanna, RMS Eranga, BAW Mendis, PLS Gamage