Virat Kohli's fine half century combined with an all-round effort by Ravichandran Ashwin took India beat Sri Lanka by 4 wickets in the second ODI as they opened their account in the tri-series at the WACA in Perth.
India, in pursuit of 234 to open their account in the tournament, were in control before three quick wickets threatened to derail the chase. However, Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin kept the Sri Lankans at bay to take the team home. India finished with 234/6 in 46.4 overs.
Ashwin with three wickets earlier and runs with bat, won the Man-of-the-match award.
Jadeja (24 not out, 28 balls, 1x4) and Ashwin (30 not out, 38 balls, 3x4) stayed together till the end for an unbroken 53-run partnership for the seventh wicket which proved decisive in India's triumph.
Kohli (77, 94 balls, 8x4, 1x6) has been a consistent performer while the team is chasing and it was yet again on view. The young right-hander showed great maturity in anchoring the run chase after the early loss of Virender Sehwag (10) in the third over. Sehwag was caught at third man by Nuwan Kulasekara of Lasith Malinga.
Kohli joined Sachin Tendulkar (48, 63 balls, 5x4) and the duo put the team on course for the not so difficult chase. Tendulkar was looking in good touch during his innings and looked set for a big knock. But he played an Angelo Mathews delivery onto the stumps falling two short of a half century.
Rohit Sharma (10) fell to a short ball trying to guide the ball past point but was snapped up by Tillakaratne Dilshan. Left-hander Suresh Raina fell again to a short ball. And MS Dhoni too succumbed to a short ball from the Sri Lankans.
All first five wickets came off short balls for the Islanders.
At 167/5 in 33.4 overs at the exit of Dhoni, Indian hopes rested on Kohli's shoulders. The Delhi batsman was suffering from cramps but carried on his innings. However, attempting to take a non-existent single to mid-on, he failed to beat Malinga's direct hit.
Sri Lankan camp was jubilating at the sight of Kohli's wicket with the team in more than a spot of bother at 181/6 in 36 overs. But India were always maintaining a good run rate and that helped the lower order to bat out few dot balls.
Ashwin, joining hands with Jadeja at the fall of sixth wicket, proved his worth once again as a batsman to steer India towards victory.
