22 Aug 2017

India thrash Sri Lanka in opening one-dayer

6:45 am on 22 August 2017

India opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan smashed an unbeaten 132 to help his side thrash hosts Sri Lanka by nine wickets in their opening one-day international.

Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan Photo: Photosport

Sri Lanka were well-beaten in the recently concluded three-Test series against India, losing the first two matches inside four days and the last one in three to be whitewashed 3-0.

If the home fans had hoped the change in format would bring a change in fortune, they were left bitterly disappointed with India breezing to their 217-run target in under 29 overs.

Left-handed Dhawan, who scored his 11th hundred in the 50-over format, took India past their target with his 20th boundary with captain Virat Kohli remaining unbeaten on 82 from 70 deliveries.

The duo added 197 in an unbroken second wicket partnership after India suffered the early loss of Rohit Sharma, who was run out for four after dropping his bat behind the crease.

Having been adjudged the man of the series in the Tests, Dhawan, who also hit three sixes, continued to plunder runs off the Sri Lankan bowlers.

He brought up his hundred in 71 balls and got to the three-figure mark with three fours in an over against legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga.

Kohli was more measured in his approach and hit 10 fours and a six in his innings.

Sri Lanka had appeared set to post a challenging total after Kohli won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first.

Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka added 74 in their opening stand before the latter played a bizarre reverse sweep to legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal to get caught out at cover for 35.

Sri Lanka looked well placed to score in excess of 300, but then the hosts collapsed, losing their next nine wickets for the addition of 77 runs.

From 1-139 in the 25th over, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 216 with 40 deliveries still remaining in their innings.