Virat Kohli's magical 2017 leads India charge as team sweeps Sri Lanka series 5-0

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  • Virat Kohli has had a purple patch with the bat to lead India's remarkable 2017

    Virat Kohli’s 30th ODI century helped India sweep the five-match series against Sri Lanka 5-0 at Colombo on Sunday.

    The whitewash of the hosts was India’s fifth consecutive bilateral series win in the 50-over format while also achieving a runner-up finish in the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year.

    The hallmark of these wins has been Kohli leading by example with the bat as he continues to notch up mind-boggling numbers in limited-overs cricket.

    Since the turn of 2016, the 28-year-old has racked up 1756 runs in 28 innings at an average of 92.42.

    During the course of this period, the Indian skipper has notched up seven tons and 10 half-centuries as he now lies level with Australia’s Ricky Ponting and behind only Sachin Tendulkar in the list for the most 50-over centuries.

    The Indian batting mainstay has also completed 1000 runs since the start of 2017 at the R Premadasa stadium as he guided India home in a convincing six-wicket victory.

    The burden of captaincy is one Kohli has carried with aplomb and he has flourished in the role rather than wither under the massive expectations of over one billion people back home.

    The Delhi-born batsman was handed the reins of the ODI captaincy from MS Dhoni before the start of the limited-overs series against the visiting England in January this year.

    Since then, the Men in Blue have played 18 matches, winning 14 and losing just three. This period has seen India beat England 2-1, West Indies 3-1, Sri Lanka 5-0 and a runner-up finish in the ICC Champions Trophy.

    We take a look at the Kohli’s performances with the bat in this golden period.

    India Vs England – January 2016

    Series Result: 2-1

    Innings – 3

    Runs – 185

    Centuries – 1

    Average – 61.67

    West Indies Vs India – June 2017

    Series Result: 3-1

    Runs – 244

    Innings – 5

    Centuries – 2

    Average – 81.33

    Kohli celebrated his century in the 5th ODI against the West Indies.

    Kohli celebrated his century in the 5th ODI against the West Indies.

    ICC Champions Trophy – June 2017

    Result: Runners-up

    Runs – 258

    Innings – 5

    Average – 129

    Kohli ended up unbeaten on 96 in the win against Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy.

    Kohli ended up unbeaten on 96 in the win against Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy.

    Sri Lanka Vs India – August 2017

    Series Result: 5-0

    Runs – 330

    Innings – 5

    Centuries – 2

    Average – 110

    Kohli scored two consecutive centuries against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

    Kohli scored two consecutive centuries against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

    Overall in 2017

    Innings – 18

    Runs – 1017

    Centuries – 4

    Average – 92.45

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