Openers Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan cracked superb centuries in a massive 231-run partnership as India thrashed Sri Lanka by 169 runs in the first One-Day International in Cuttack to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Put into bat, Rahane hit 111 from 108 balls in what was his second ODI ton while left-hander Dhawan scored a fluent 107-ball 113 as India scored 363 for five from their 50 overs.
It was Dhawan’s first century since his 119 against West Indies in Kanpur in November last year and sixth overall.
During their stand, Rahane and Dhawan hit as many as 32 boundaries, including five sixes, between them.
Suresh Raina, appearing in his 200th one-dayer, also chipped in by smashing a quick-fire 52 off 34 deliveries.
The hosts continued the good work in the field as Sri Lanka’s chase floundered from the beginning.
Angelo Mathews’ side could only manage 194 in 39.1 overs in a lopsided encounter.
The Indians, led by pacer Ishant Sharma (4-34), right arm quick Umesh Yadav (2-24) and left-arm spinner Akshar Patel (2-24) tied the Sri Lankan batsmen down in a commendable bowling display.
Delhi quick Ishant made an impressive comeback to the ODI side after a gap of one year as he generated decent pace and movement, accounting for the main scalp of Kumar Sangakkara (13) before adding a few lower order batsmen to his kitty.
Mahela Jaywardene put up some fight with 43 off 36 balls but other batsmen failed to make any decent contributions.
Skipper Mathews (23) tried to drag his team out of trouble but half of his side was back in the hut with the score on 130 and he too didn’t survive for long.
India received an injury scare as paceman Varun Aaron left the field after bowling the first ball of the 13th over. Skipper Virat Kohli completed the over.
Aaron and Yadav generated a lot of pace from the flat surface and that, along with the fielders’ spirited effort, capped a comfortable win for India.
After the match, captain Kohli said it was a superb effort from the youngsters, especially the pacers.
“It was great to see some pace unleashed by India and it will be helpful in Australia (during next year’s World Cup).
“It was heartening to see them hitting the line and lengths and bowl according to the field placements,” Kohli said.
