India defeat Sri Lanka by 67 runs in first ODI of series

India picked up a win in the first ODI against Sri Lanka by 67 runs, leading the series 1-0. A thrilling game which saw the Men in Blue put up a score of 373, while they were able to restrict their opponents to a total of 306 for eight. 

The hosts gained momentum right from the get-go, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill putting up a strong 143-run partnership. And thereafter, Virat Kohli was able to score his 45th ODI century to help give the team another boost in the first innings. 

India defeat Sri Lanka in the first ODI of their series 

India were invited to bat by Dasun Shanaka after winning the toss. Rohit Sharma was able to hit his 47th career half century in the 13th over. And shortly after, in the 17th over, Gill was able to score a half-century of his own. He was eventually dismissed for 70 runs from 60 balls. 

The Indian skipper was looking strong at the crease, before being dismissed for 83 to give the visitors their second wicket. Shreyas Iyer scored a brief 28, while Virat Kohli scored 113, continuing his remarkable comeback from his drop in form last year. 

Sri Lanka did not go down without a fight, though. The captain, Shanaka, scored his second ODI century, registering an unbeaten 108. But, it wasn’t enough to really get close to the target. The Lankans were able to gain momentum at the death. But it was too little too late for them. 

Umran Malik had a very good display with the ball, with a figure 3 for 57. And in the end, they were able to comfortably restrict their opponents to win the game. India will face Sri Lanka in the second ODI of the series on Thursday at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.