India pummeled Pakistan into submission in their Asia Cup match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Monday.

If centuries from comeback man KL Rahul and Virat Kohli were not enough, Kuldeep Yadav spun a web to claim five for 25 as India cantered to a 228-run victory. It was their biggest win against the arch-rivals in terms of runs.

This could go down as a perfect preparation for their quest to regain the World Cup at home. Rahul brought relief to the Team India camp just before the mega event with a century that is set to rest lingering doubts about his form and fitness.

Virat Kohli too added to his bag of ODI milestones on the reserve day of their Super Fours fixture.

Pakistan never really got going in their chase of 357. They ended their innings on 128 with the injured Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf deciding not to bat.

Jasprit Bumrah (centre) after dismissing Imam-ul-Haq on Monday. AP/PTI

After Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj produced a surreal display of swing bowling, Hardik Pandya got into the act before Kuldeep ran through the middle and lower order. Pandya produced the ball of the match to knock over an in-form Babar Azam.

Pakistan just crumbled thereafter as none of the batters managed to put up a resistance.

“Very happy at the moment. It is the consistency for the last one-and-a-half years that has been most satisfying,” said Kuldeep. “I have got my rhythm back and am enjoying my bowling. It is good to get five wickets... I am just thinking about bowling on a good length.”

A jubilant Virat Kohli after reaching his 47th ODI century on Tuesday. During his unbeaten 122-run knock, Virat became the fastest to reach 13000 ODI runs. AP/PTI

Rohit Sharma was pleased with Bumrah’s performance. “Bumrah looked good... He swung the ball both ways. Really worked hard for the past 8-15 months,” the India captain said.

“I know how hard it is (for someone) who goes through that kind of injury. Bumrah is only 27. For him to come back... the way he bowled, he’s shown what Bumrah is all about. Good to see him in that rhythm,” Rohit added.

Kohli was all praise for Rahul. “KL started better, I was trying to bring him on strike by playing second fiddle. Then after that I stepped up where I could,” he said.

“Both KL and myself are conventional players. And when you have him batting the way he was and me playing, it’s tough to break these partnerships because we don’t play fancy shots,” Kohli remarked.

Dominant batting

Kohli added to his bag of ODI milestones with another century as India amassed 356/2 on the reserve day of their Super Fours fixture. India were 147/2 on Sunday when rain stopped play.

The 233-run unbroken stand between Rahul (111 not out off 106 balls, 12x4, 2x6) and Kohli (122 not out off 94 balls, 9x4, 3x6) showed India’s batting might.

Kohli became the fastest to 13,000 ODI runs, taking only 267 innings, 54 fewer than Sachin Tendulkar (321). This was also Kohli’s 47th century.