India defeated Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the first ODI of the 3-match ODI series played at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. With this win, India’s preparation for the upcoming ICC men’s world cup has gotten off to a great start. Virat Kohli’s 45th ODI century combined with some disciplined bowling from Umran Malik and Mohammad Siraj powered India to their 94th victory over Sri Lanka in 163 ODIs these teams have played against each other.
Opting to bowl first, Sri Lanka was sent for a leather hunt by the Indian batsmen. First, Rohit and Shubman stitched together a century partnership followed by Kohli’s 45th one-day century. Shreyas, Rahul and Axar chipped in with some handy runs to push India’s total to 373.
Chasing a mammoth 374 to draw first blood in the Mastercard India vs Sri Lanka ODI series, the Lankan batters just didn’t show any appetite. Siraj removed Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis in his successive overs to derail the Sri Lankan chase. Nissanka partnered with Asalanka and then with de Silva to revive the chase but the Indian bowlers were too good to be smacked. Shanaka, as usual, entertained the Guwahati crowd with some of his dazzling strokeplay toward the end. But, it was not enough to propel his team over the victory line. He scored his 2nd ODI hundred and remained unbeaten on 108.
For India, Umran Malik came out with the best bowling figures of the match with 3 for 57. Siraj picked up 2 wickets while Chahal, Pandya and Shami picked up a wicket each. Kohli, for his magnificent 113 of 87 balls, was adjudged the Player of the Match.