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India given 'reality check' - Kohli

Sri Lanka inflicted a number of statistical wounds on India during their bonus-point victory at Sabina Park, a result Virat Kohli called a "reality check" for his side

ESPNcricinfo staff
03-Jul-2013
India's batsmen struggled after Sri Lanka had thrived  •  AFP

India's batsmen struggled after Sri Lanka had thrived  •  AFP

Sri Lanka inflicted a number of unsightly statistical wounds on India during their bonus-point victory at Sabina Park, a performance Virat Kohli called a "reality check" for a team that had suffered two defeats in the Caribbean after winning the Champions Trophy in England. India's chances of making the tri-series final are now diminished, because they need to win both remaining matches and hope West Indies beat Sri Lanka to avoid needing a bonus point.*
"We have to analyse what we did wrong. We have two more games to go," said Kohli, who was standing in for MS Dhoni in his first ODI as captain, after the 161-run defeat. "This is going to hurt the guys a little bit."
India's bowlers did not challenge the Sri Lankan openers after Kohli had won the toss; the upshot was a 213-run opening stand and the first time that a team batted 50 overs in the first innings of an ODI without losing more than one wicket.
"It was a tough day at the office. We were not up to the mark with the ball," Kohli said. "The Sri Lankans batted really well, and we did not. To chase down 349, you need a quick start, we were not able to do that, that did not give us momentum."
India were dismissed for 187 in the 45th over, managing only 13 more than Upul Tharanga's individual contribution to Sri Lanka's 348, with Ravindra Jadeja's unbeaten 49 being the top score.
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews had been dismayed at losing the toss but was thrilled with how the match played out. "We needed that, especially after losing the toss, we were on the back foot. Mahela showed his class. Upul struggled a bit initially but batted through and was brilliant later.
"We needed to get that 250, bowlers never let us down if we score 250. Hats off to Mahela and Upul. I am doing my bit the way I can."
The unbeaten 174 was important to Tharanga because not only was it his best ODI score, but it had come after he was recalled to the squad due to an injury to Tillakaratne Dilshan. Tharanga had been sidelined since January.
"We needed to get a start because we lost the toss on a sticky wicket," Tharanga said. "The first ten overs were crucial. They [India] bowled well upfront. So we had to ride that, and then we put the pressure back on them."
*0650 GMT The sentence had said that India needed to win at least one of their remaining games with a bonus point. This has been amended.