1st ODI: Shikhar Dhawan, Ishan Kishan score fifties as India beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets

As Prithvi Shaw walked back to the pavilion following a 24-ball 43 while chasing 263 in the opening ODI against Sri Lanka, the hosts would have been optimistic of some momentary relief. Just five overs had been completed in the second innings, with the Indian team already across the 50-run mark. Ishan Kishan the new man in was making his ODI debut. Usually, one witnesses debutants get off to a watchful start due to the nervousness involved and lack of experience at the international level in the format. However, Kishan started his innings with a massive six, charging down the ground before clobbering the ball into the stands. He followed it up with a boundary off his second ball, drilling a full and wide delivery through point.

This confidence was an indication of the quality and talent that an Indian squad perceived as a ‘B’ side boasted of. Kishan smashed 59 runs off 42 deliveries in an innings comprising of eight boundaries and two sixes, at a strike rate of 140.48. The wicket-keeper batsman’s exploits played a key role in helping India beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets with 80 balls to spare. This equalled India’s biggest ODI win against any opponent while chasing a target over 250. The triumph equalled the 80 balls to spare win at Hobart on 28 Feb 2012 also against Sri Lanka (320/4, India 321/3 in 36.4 overs).

India only team to have registered more wins than losses against Sri Lanka

13 teams have played ODIs against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka with a combined tally of 90 wins and 155 losses. India are the only team to have registered more wins than losses against Sri Lanka in the latter’s home ground. The Men in Blue have recorded 29 wins and 27 losses in 62 games. India have further equalled the tally for most ODI wins by a nation against a particular opponent. The Virat Kohli-led team has registered 92 wins in 160 matches against Sri Lanka. Australia and Pakistan have recorded the same tally against New Zealand and Sri Lanka respectively, accounting for the same in 138 and 155 matches.

However, India’s triumph might not have been as dominant if not for a sensational knock by captain Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan, who has been named as the skipper of the Indian squad for the tour of Sri Lanka, stepped up with a mature display. The 35-year-old remained unbeaten on 86 runs off 95 deliveries, accounting for six boundaries and a six respectively. Dhawan enjoyed support from Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav (31* off 20 balls), with the youngsters making it all look supremely easy. Shaw was named as the Player of the Match, indicating the importance of his knock from the context of the encounter.

Earlier, Sri Lanka posted a total of 262/9 with most of their batsmen failing to capitalise after getting off to solid starts. Chamika Karunaratne (43*) was the top run-getter. Deepak Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav accounted for two wickets apiece. Dhananjaya de Silva was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka, recording two dismissals.