Dhawan ton leads India to comfortable win

India took a one-nil lead in the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka thanks to a comfortable nine-wicket victory in the first match in Dambulla on Sunday.
Chasing a below-par target of 2017, India got to their total with only one wicket down as opener Shikhar Dhawan struck a brisk century and captain Virat Kohli ended unbeaten on 82.
The left-handed Dhawan was 132 not out as the visitors reached their target with more than 20 overs remaining after the early loss of Rohit Sharma, who was run out for four in the fifth over.
Earlier, Sri Lanka, who were put in to bat by Kohli, got off to solid start with the bat as Niroshan Dickwella (64) and Danushka Gunathilaka (35) added 74 for the opening wicket inside 14 overs.
Kusal Mendis (36) continued the good work from the openers but India’s spinners took control thereafter and pinned the home team back, taking wickets at regular intervals.
Left-arm spinner Axar Patel was the pick of bowlers as he took 3/34 from his 10 overs while fellow slow bowler Yuzvendra Chahal and part-timer Kedar Jadhav accounted for two wickets apiece.
Seamer Jasprit Bumrah also took two wickets as Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews was left stranded on 36 not out as his team crumbled to 216 all out in the 44th over.
The home team will look to bounce back in the second ODI set to take place in Pallekele on Thursday.
Latest
-
News
Zak Crawley outdone by Ben Compton as Kent start strongly at Northamptonshire
Opener Compton stole the show with an unbeaten 125.
-
News
Mark Wood admits frustration over slow progress from elbow surgery
Wood is targeting a Test return towards the back end of the summer.
-
News
McCullum hopes ‘attractive brand of Test cricket’ can see red-ball game thrive
New head coach Brendon McCullum is looking to transform England’s fortunes.
-
News
Effects of lockdown on bowlers may be playing part in spate of stress fractures
In the past week Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood and Matthew Fisher have all been ruled out for the season with lower back injuries.
-
News
Ben Stokes to be subject of Amazon documentary created by Sam Mendes
The 30-year-old will open up on his World Cup and Headingley heroics as well as his off-the-field troubles.
-
News
Jofra Archer setback adds to England’s fast bowling injury crisis
Saqib Mahmood, Jofra Archer and Matthew Fisher have all been ruled out for the season this week.
-
News
England bowler Jofra Archer sidelined for the summer after injury setback
Archer has suffered a stress fracture of the lower back.
-
News
Paul Farbrace: Che Simmons may play for England after signing Warwickshire deal
The 18-year-old has signed a three-year contract.
-
News
Paul Collingwood ‘desperate to help out’ new England coaches, says Rob Key
Australia’s Matthew Mott has been appointed to lead the white-ball team, with Brendon McCullum the new man in charge of the Test side.
-
News
Matt Parkinson out of England squad with Harry Brook and Matthew Potts included
James Anderson and Stuart Broad are back.