Ranchi: Virat Kohli scored a well-timed innings of 139, to steer India to victory in the fifth one-day international (ODI) against Sri Lanka at Ranchi, thus giving them a 5-0 series win.
India lost both their openers early, with Matthews claiming both scalps, before Ambati Rayadu (59) and Kohli steadied the innings.
However, once Rayadu was run-out, India started collapsing, with no batsman able to give Kohli support. India slipped from 180-3 to 231-7. Akshar Patel (17 not out) withstood the Lankan attack, and kept the run metre ticking.
In the end, Kohli smashed two sixes off an Ajantha Mendis over for the win.
The Indian stand-in captain remained not out at 139, winning the match with eight balls to spare.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews played a superb innings as he scored his maiden century, scoring 139, and helped the visitors set a target of 286 runs.
Meanwhile, World champions India have consolidated their top rank on the ICC ODI Team Rankings after sweeping the series against Sri Lanka.
India had started the series at the third position on 113 ratings points and has finished on 117 ratings points two ratings points clear of South Africa. Sri Lanka, however, have retained their fourth position but slipped to 108 ratings after conceding three ratings points.Â