Jayawardene became the fifth batsman in the history of the game to score 12,000 runs in ODI cricket. He overtook former Pakistani skipper Inzamam-ul Haq, who had scored 11,739 runs.
The batting maestro got out to Ravichandran Ashwin after scoring a well made 118 off just 124 deliveries. His prolific innings consisted of 12 boundaries and a six.
He shared a well knit 105-run partnership with Tillakaratne Dilshan for the third wicket. Dilshan scored a decent 53 runs.
Jayawardene with 12,002 runs, also became the third Sri Lankan in the top five list of highest ODI run-getters. He is behind Sanath Jayasuriya (13,430) and Kumar Sangakkara (12,918) in terms of runs scored by Lankan batsmen.
Former India maestro Sachin Tendulkar leads the list with 18,426 runs, followed by ex- Australia skipper Ricky Ponting who had amassed 13,704 runs.
Jayawardene was at his self best against the Virat Kohli led Indian side. Sri Lanka trail the five-match ODI series 0-2 and will hope to contain Indian batsmen, as the latter will look to chase 243 runs. (SDF/KH)