Kohli slammed 113 off 87 balls in the ODI series opener against Sri Lanka.
Batting at No. 3, the former skipper slammed 113 off 87 balls, propelling the hosts to a mammoth 373/7 in their allotted 50 overs.
In the second half, Indian bowlers stepped up to the plate as they restricted the visitors to 306/8 despite a fighting century by Dasun Shanaka (108* off 88 balls).
Speaking after the game, Kohli said his preparation and intent are always the same and he is in a happy space and enjoying his cricket.
"I do not think there was anything different. My preparation and intent always remain the same. I thought I was hitting the ball nicely. It was close to the template I play with, I understood we needed an extra 25-30 runs," he stated in the post-match presentation ceremony.
"I tried to understand the conditions in the second half. Tried to get a comfortable total for us on the board. The one thing I learnt was desperation does not get you anywhere. You do not need to complicate things. You go out there and play without any fear, I cannot hold on to things. You have to play for the right reasons and almost play every game like it is your last and just be happy about it. The game is going to move on. I am not going to play forever, I am in a happy space and enjoying my time playing," added Kohli, who earned the Player-of-the-Match award.
For India, Umran Malik starred with the ball, claiming three wickets by conceding 57 runs in his 8 overs while Mohammed Siraj (2-30) returned with a couple of scalps in his 7 overs. Mohammed Shami, Hardik Pandya, and Yuzvendra Chahal also chipped in with wicket apiece.
With this victory, the Men in Blue took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. The second ODI is due to be held in Kolkata on Thursday (January 12).