On this day, February 28,2012: Virat Kohli rules Hobart smashing 133 against Sri Lanka. It was one of the best ever knocks played in ODI format and it came in the Commonwealth Bank Tri series. Sri Lanka were
up against India and India needed to win this match with a bonus point to qualify for Final. Sri Lanka were batting first and started really well. Tilakaratne Dilshan smashed a century while opening the batting and Kumar Sangakkara scored a century batting at Number 3 as Sri Lanka piled up runs at a good rate. The first wicket fell for 49 but Dilshan and Sangakkara put up a partnership of 200 to take Sri Lanka to a great total.
Dilshan finished with 160 while Sangakkara was dismissed for 105 as Sri Lanka scored 320/4 at the end of the first innings. It was a massive total in the first innings and India were set a big target. This was not just a must win for India but they also needed to win with a bonus point to secure their Final spot. India needed to chase down this target in less than 40 overs to qualify and it looked a tough ask at the halfway stage.
India had a quick start with Sehwag smashing a flurry of boundaries but he was dismissed for 30 as India lost the first wicket for 54. Gambhir walked in at Number three and scored a half century. India lost their second wicket for 86 when Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed. Virat Kohli came into bat and put up a good partnership with Gambhir to help India recover. They stitched a partnership of more than 100 before Gambhir was dismissed for 63.
Virat Kohli changed the gears and went after the bowling and was joined by Suresh Raina who played a terrific cameo. Kohli took on the Sri Lankan bowlers and especially was brutal on Malinga. Kohli went past his century and this knock was a statement made as India managed to chase down the total of 320 within 36 overs and secured a bonus point. Virat Kohli was unbeaten on 133 and Raina smashed 40 runs of just 24 balls as India did the unthinkable and won the match with a bonus point.
