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Sunday 2 June 2013

Kohli, Karthik set up win for India

Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik hit centuries and India warmed up for the Champions Trophy next week with an impressive five-wicket win over Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on Saturday. 

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team looked up against it when Sri Lanka posted an imposing 333-5 after being put into bat. 

But Kohli smashed 144 from 120 balls and Karthik blasted 106 not out from only 81 balls to lead India to victory with one over to spare. 

India were struggling at 62-3 in the 13th over and then 110-4 in the 21st over before Kohli and Karthik began the audacious rescue. 

Kohli hit 11 fours and three sixes, while Karthik cut, pulled, and drove 12 fours and two sixes and with Dhoni, who scored 18 not out, helped India finish on 337-5. 

India play their second warm-up game against Australia on June 4 in Cardiff before opening their Champions Trophy campaign against South Africa at the same venue two days later. 

Earlier in the day, Kusal Perera and Tillakaratne Dilshan had caused plenty of problems for the Indian bowling attack in a blistering start for the Sri Lanka openers. 

Dilshan hit nine fours and one six in his 84, while Perera scored 82 off 94 balls, including three sixes. 

That pair added 160 runs in 26 overs before both retired in order to allow other batsmen get some match practice. 

However, even Sri Lanka's daunting total wasn't enough to keep India at bay. 

India opener Shikhar Dhawan was run out in the second over as he failed to beat Lahiru Thirimanne's direct hit. 

Murali Vijay was dismissed for 18, caught by Thirimanne off Shaminda Eranga and Rohit Sharma fell for just five in the 13th over. 

But Suresh Raina started the recovery with a quickfire 34. When he departed India needed 223 runs for a win at an asking rate approaching eight an over and Kohli and Karthik kept their cool and kept pace with it. 

Kohli, in particular, stamped his class with some beautiful shots all over the park. When he was out in the 44th over, India needed 38 runs from 37 balls for a win with five wickets in hand. The rest is history.

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