Virat Kohli slams century to put India in commanding position against Sri Lanka
Virat Kohli hit his 17th Test century as India are in a commanding position against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle.
India captain Virat Kohli smashed his 17th hundred in the second innings of the opening Test against Sri Lanka at the Glale Interntational Stadium.
Resuming the day on 76 runs, Kohli kept on punching for singles and doubles and then latched on a Dilruwan Perera delivery to clobber over midwicket for six to move to 89.
He completed his hundred with a single to midwicket, reaching the landmark in 133 balls, five fours and one six. He had helped India reach 233 for four with the three-figure mark.
The hundred was important to release the pressure on the captain. It is his first Test after the below-par series against Australia at home and the coach-controversy where he received flak for going against the successful Anil Kumble and getting his preferred candidate, Ravi Shastri, in. It is natural to feel the pressure and the critics were waiting for signs of it.
READ | Live cricket score, India vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test Day 4
To add to it, he had failed in the first innings. But, when he walked out to bat after the 86-minute stoppage caused by a thundershower in the afternoon session, Kohli dispelled all doubts. He began with a four and continued to play delightful strokes all around the ground.
Earlier, during his innings he had completed 1000 runs as India captain in away Tests. India declared at 240-3, setting Sri Lanka a target of 550 runs to win.
