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On the back of former India captain and maverick batter, Virat Kohli's century, Team India registered an emphatic win in the first ODI against Sri Lanka at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on January 10 (Tuesday). The Men in Blue defeated the Islanders by 67 runs and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Kohli's 45th ODI ton propelled India to a daunting total of 373/7 in 50 overs after Sri Lanka elected to bowl after winning the toss. Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka (108 not out off 88 balls) smashed an entertaining century but his valiant efforts went in vain.
During his attractive knock, Shanaka powered 12 fours and three sixes and kept his sublime form against India intact. Apart from Shanaka, Pathum Shanaka (72 runs off 80 balls) could get going on a batting-friendly wicket as rest all the visiting batters either didn't get starts or the one who got starts, failed to convert it into a big score. As a result, the Islanders could only manage 306/8 in 50 overs.
Umran Malik bagged three wickets in eight overs but leaked 57 runs. Mohammed Siraj bowled exceedingly well in the powerplay overs and finished with figures of 2/30 in seven overs which also had one maiden.
Mohammed Shami, Hardik Pandya and Yuzvendra Chahal chipped in with a wicket each.
Earlier in the day, Kohli recorded his 73rd international. The attractive right-handed batter reached the three-figure mark in just 80 deliveries before Kasun Rajitha finally dismissed Kohli (113 runs off 87 balls) in the 49th over. The 34-year-old smashed 12 fours and one sixes in his fantastic knock. This was Kohli's second hundred on the trot in ODIs after he scored 113 runs off 91 balls.
Sri Lanka had a couple of chances to cut short Kohli's knock and prevent the champion batter from registering his 73rd international chances but a lack of discipline in the field cost the Islanders dearly. Wicket-keeper Kusal Mendis dropped Kohli at 52 while captain Dasun Shanaka failed to complete a regulation take when the Indian batter was on 81.
Captain Rohit Sharma (83 runs off 67 balls) and Shubman Gill (70 runs off 60 balls) gave India a perfect start. The opening duo combined for 143 runs in just 19.4 overs.
Kasun Rajitha bagged three wickets for Sri Lanka but the right-arm pacer conceded 88 runs in 10 overs.
