Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli took India cruising past the winning line. (Source: PTI)
India came into the ODI series against Sri Lanka with momentum firmly on their side. They had reached the final of the ICC Champions Trophy, beaten West Indies 3-1 in the Caribbean and had swept aside Sri Lanka in the Test series 3-0. India were doing exceptionally well with the ball, bat and in the field. Such as the dominance that it allowed India to rest some key members. And the first ODI, once again, showed why. The visitors posted a 9 wicket win in an all round show.
Buoyed by Shikhar Dhawan’s unbeaten 132 and equally valuable unbeaten 82 by Virat Kohli, India chased down Sri Lanka’s modest total of 216 runs to pick up the first win of the five-match-series and once again stamp their authority on what has been an extremely one sided series. Rohit Sharma was the only wicket to fall when the Mumbai batsman unluckily lost his bat and had his foot in the air as he ran inside the crease.
Earlier, Sri Lanka started well courtesy Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka with the latter producing some courageous hits. Dickwella and Kusal Mendis took up the service next but the hosts were undone by the Indian spinners. Such was their downfall that Sri Lanka went from 139/1 at one stage to be bowled out for 216.
At this rate Shikhar ‘बेफ़िक्र’ Dhawan will need an extra bag and excess baggage allowance for the return trip…too many 🏆
😊👏🇮🇳🙌🏏— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 20, 2017
Congrats @BCCI #TeamIndia on the 9 wicket victory #INDvSL Great ton by @SDhawan25 & a Captain’s knock by @imVkohli
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) August 20, 2017
Fastest 100s for India v SL (balls):
66 Sehwag, Rajkot, 2009
71 DHAWAN, today
75 Sehwag, Premadasa, 2009
76 Kohli, Hobart, 2012#SLvIND— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) August 20, 2017
When in good form, make the most of it! 11th 100 for Shikhar Dhawan #INDvSL. Off a good Test series following it with a 100 in ODI @BCCI
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) August 20, 2017
Dhawan and Sri Lanka is turning out to be quite a remarkable love story. Fantastic 100 again from @SDhawan25 #INDvSL
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 20, 2017
Well done team India @BCCI for another convincing victory #SLvsIND
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) August 20, 2017
The second ODI in the series will be played on Thursday.
