Heroics by star batter Virat Kohli and ‘Jammu Express’ Umran Malik outpowered a fighting century by skipper Dasun Shanaka as India defeated Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the first ODI of threematch series at Guwahati on Tuesday. With this, India is 1-0 up in the series. Chasing a gigantic total of 374, Sri Lanka was not off to a good start as they lost Avishka Fernando (5) and Kusal Mendis (0) within the first six overs to pacer Mohammed Siraj. SL was 23/2 at this point. Following this, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva joined forces to take Lanka unharmed through the mandatory powerplay. At the end of 10 overs, SL was 38/2, with Asalanka (10*) and Nissanka (22*) at the crease. The visitors seemed to be building a solid partnership but Umran Malik’s pace ended it at 41-runs, sending back Asalanka for 23 off 28 balls. SL was 64/3. At the end of 20 overs, SL needed a desperate stand and had to push the accelerator. They were at 98/3, with Silva (25*) and Nissanka (41*) at the crease. The visitors crossed 100-run mark in 20.1 overs. Nissanka brought up his half-century in 56 balls. In the 25th over of the match, Mohammed Shami continued Indian pace domination, removing Silva for 47. Brief Scores: India 373/7 (Kohli 113, Rohit 83; Rajitha 3-88) vs Sri Lanka: 306/8 (Shanaka 108*, Nissanka 72, Umran 3/57)
