Sri Lanka stuns India in the first One day international by 7 wickets played at Dharamshala to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Tharanga won an important toss and invited India into bat. Lakmal was brilliant taking 4-13 and also other bowlers supported to bowl out the hosts for 112. In reply, Sri Lanka chased down the target in 20.4 overs.
Sri Lankan captain Thisara Perera won the toss and elected to field first. It was a great start by Lakmal and Mathews who took the wicket of openers Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan. Shreyas Iyer who made his debut struggled against Lakmal. Dinesh Karthik coming at number 4, also was dismissed cheaply for 0. At the end of first 10 overs, India was struggling at 11 for 3. It was their lowest ever score in powerplay overs.
Manish Pandey and Shreyas Iyer went in quick succession to leave India in tatters at 16 for 5. Hardik Pandya hit 2 boundaries before he was dismissed for 10 runs. It was more troubles for the Indian team as Bhuvneshwar Kumar got out. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kuldeep Yadav looked in good touch putting on 41 runs for the 8th wicket. MS Dhoni took most of the strike. Kuldeep Yadav was dismissed for 19.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni played with cool mind and did not give the strike to Bumrah. Bumrah played a poor stroke and was dismissed for 0. Former Indian captain played attacking strokes completing his half-century off 78 balls. MS Dhoni was the lone Indian batsman who looked good. Indian team was bowled out for 112 in 38.2 overs.
Chasing the target of 113, Sri Lanka lost an early wicket of Gunathilaka for 1 run. Captain Upul Tharanga has dismissed off a no ball. Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Thirimanne with the score at 19. Captain Tharanga took advantage of the chance and scored 49 before being dismissed by Hardik Pandya. Both Tharanga and Mathews added 46 runs for the 3rd wicket. Mathews and Dickwella completed the task winning the match in 20.4 overs. Sri Lanka won the match by 7 wickets.
Sri Lanka 114 for 3 in 20.4 overs ( Upul Tharanga 49, Dickwella 26*, Mathews 25*) beat India 112 in 38.2 overs ( MS Dhoni 65, Kuldeep Yadav 19, Lakmal 4/13) by 7 wickets.
Captain Rohit Sharma said: Not enough runs on the board. The conditions were helpful for the fast bowlers and their fast bowlers were brilliant. MS Dhoni showed his class with top quality innings and knows how to bat in these situations. We have to forget this and come back strongly in the next two matches.
Man of the match Surgana Lakmal said: It was great bowling pitch. My last few years have been good for me. I worked hard for it and also my fitness, health, bowling came good today. To restrict India to such a low total was a great effort.
Sri Lanka takes a 1-0 lead in the series. The 2nd match will take place at Mohali on 13th December.
