India vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI as it happened: Dhawan, Kohli power India to a massive win

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After a whitewash in the three-match Test series, India resume their tour of Sri Lanka in the first of the five One Day Internationals. The venue is Dambulla, where captain Virat Kohli made his debut nine years back.

As it turned out, it was yet another stroll in the park for the men in blue. Here’s how the massive nine-wicket win for India unfolded.

First ODI, as it happened:

09:00 pm: So that’s an early wrap in Dambulla as India stroll to a win, their biggest in terms of the balls left when chasing more than 200. If one was expecting a closer fight in the ODIs after a lopsided Test series, then one would be disappointed. It looked good for the Lankans initially, when the scoreboard read 139 for 1 after 24.2 overs. The next 9 wickets fell for 77 runs and that’s pretty much where the game ended. For India, it’s another convincing win on the tour and a confidence boost for the new-look squad. That’s it from us then, stay tuned for more post-match analysis.

Some post-match reaction:

THAT’s IT! 28.5 overs is all it took. One can sit here and say Sri Lanka did not have enough runs on the board, but the way Dhawan and Kohli batted, no target would have mattered. Massive nine-wicket win for India. And the scoreboard says its own story.

India are just two runs away at the end of the 28th over. 51 runs have come in the 5 overs! This is utter domination.

AND THERE IT IS! The celebration that has become a regular feature on this tour, as Shikhar Dhawan gets to three figures yet again. ‘He’s almost bullied Sri Lankan bowling today,’ says Harsha Bhogle on the air, and it’s difficult to argue. At the other end, Kohli quietly reaches another 50 while chasing.

After 20 overs, India 135 for 1: Kohli is inching towards his 50, Dhawan racing towards his 100 – only a matter of time before this is over.

After 16 overs, India 109/1: Drinks in Dambulla and it’s (not surprsingly) been a cruise for India. Dhawan has raced to 68 off 50 balls and Kohli has been solid, reaching 35 off 33 balls. India need 108 in 34 overs and it doesn’t look like they will face too many hiccups.

Half-century! Shikhar Dhawan’s brilliant run of form continues! Yet another fifty-plus score for him, gets there with a mighty heave over midwicket for a six off Sandakan. His 50 comes in just 36 balls. Irresistible hitting this.

After 10 overs India 64/1: Rohit might be back in the pavilion, but Dhawan is simply carrying on from where he left off in the Test series. Boundaries flowing off his willow. Thisara Perera’s first over includes three boundaries, the last two sublime cut shots by Dhawan. He’s moved on to 41 off 28 balls.

And oh, Angelo Mathews is bowling again! Gentle medium pacers, feeling his way back to the crease. Has not bowled in a long time, given his injury troubles.

Rohit Sharma doesn’t quite enjoy batting in Sri Lanka:

OUT! Bizarre, bizarre run out! Rohit Sharma must be kicking himself. Slight hesitation in running, but it was an easy single. Rohit takes it lightly, throw incoming at his end, grouns his bat but it gets stuck in the turf – he crosses the crease with the foot in the air. Bizarre.

After 5 overs, India 23/1: Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan were off to a steady start. Malinga, playing his 200th ODI and Vishwa Fernando playing his first, hit some nice lengths and there is a hint of a movement under lights. That run out came at the right time for Sri Lanka.

We are underway in Dambulla and what a pretty sight it is. Sri Lanka have their task cut out against Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, who were in great touch at the top during the Champions Trophy.

05:55 pm: Join us shortly for India’s chase. Can Sri Lanka’s bowlers defend 216?

05:45 pm: Sri Lanka ALL OUT for 216! What a collapse this has been. Jasprit Bumrah gets the last wicket, a standard good length delivery made to look wonderful by Fernando. Again, the middle stump goes for a walk.

From 139/1 after 24.2 overs, Sri Lanka have lost 9 wickets for 77 runs.

9 down, 1 to go. And what’s a good Indian bowling performance without a quick-fire Dhoni stumping. Chahal throws it wide, Malinga steps down, misses it and MSD doesn’t need a second invitation. After 42 overs, SL 202 for 9.

It’s ending in a hurry in Dambulla as Angelo Mathews watches on from the other end. Axar gets his 3rd of the day, a near-perfect ball for a slow left arm bowler. Angles in from round the wicket, pitches in line, straightens just a little bit and it’s plumb. At the other end, Mathews decides to give it a go, hitting the first six of the innings in the 40th over. Sri Lanka 196/8 after 40.

And another one! Did we already say it’s a procession, because it well and truly is one now. Jasprit Bumrah is back in the attack, fires in a brilliant full ball – angling from over the wicket to the left-handed Thisara Perera, who plays all over it. Middle stump goes for a walk. After 37 overs, SL 179/7.

‘Harakiri’ by Sri Lanka says the commentator on air, and it’s tough to argue. Hasaranga, just in to the crease with his side struggling, decides to take on Axar Patel, steps down and hoicks one in the air. Kedar Jadhav has a lot of time to get under it, makes it look tough in the end – the breeze making it hard – he tumbles backwards and takes a good catch. 176 for 7 now.

Brilliant from Kohli! Another one gone and Sri Lanka’s performance has gone from solid to ordinary to nearly abject! Chamara Kapugedera is run out by Virat Kohli’s brilliance on the field, diving forward and getting a direct hit. After 34 overs, Sri Lanka 175/5

OUT! Oh captain, what have you done? Upul Tharanga will be kicking himself for that dismissal. A rank full toss from Kedar Jadhav, the SL captain hits it straight down long-on fielder’s throat. The umpires check for height, it’s just about fine. About a hundred shakes of the head by Tharanga. After 33 overs, Sri Lanka 169/4.

Another wicket & this is a big one. The dangerous Kusal Mendis is gone. A 105-kph arm ball by Axar Patel, Mendis steps down and yorks himself – clean bowled! He was looking set for a big score but his gone for 36. Axar does a little jig to celebrate. After 28 overs, SL 152/3.

And he’s back in the pavilion. The man with the golden arm - Kedar Jadhav - strikes for Virat Kohli! Dickwella is LBW for 64. A nothing shot, really. Tries to paddle, no feet movement, stuck at the crease and caught plumb in front. But hey, need to review if you are a set batsman right? Reviews and it’s a bad one. After 25 overs, SL 141/2.

Half-century! Been a solid innings from Niroshan Dickwella, gets to his 50 in 65 balls. His fifth in ODIs. And his 3rd 50-plus score in his last 4 ODI innings. Went on to make a century on both previous occasions and Sri Lanka would want him to do the same. Follows his 50 up with two boundaries in Kedar’s over, first a delightful flick wide of long on and then a powerful pull. This is good cricket by Sri Lanka. After 23 overs Sri Lanka 132/1.

After 20 overs SL 117/1: This is a good phase for Sri Lanka, as Mendis and Dickwella put on some quick runs. 14 runs from the 20th over, with Chahal getting the treatment from Mendis. Kohli is looking for a breakthrough and brings in Kedar Jadhav, the man with the golden arm says Gavaskar.

Wicket! Oh dear, Gunathilaka, what have you done. Just when it was going near-perfectly for Sri Lanka, the well-set opener plays a poor reverse sweep off Chahal, hits it straight to KL Rahul at short cover. Bumrah had an expensive start from the other end but a few quite overs, followed by a mix-up in Chahal’s over seemed to have put Gunathilka under pressure. And he plays a shot that has left him quite angry with himself clearly. After 15 overs Sri Lanka, 75/1.

After 10 overs: Sri Lanka 55/0: This is solid from Sri Lankan openers, 33 runs in the last five overs the first powerplay, as Dickwella and Gunathilka mix caution with aggression. Any hint of width or over-pitching, the left-handers have been punishing the bowlers – flicks and cuts galore. Bumrah in to the attack for the first time now...

After 5 overs, Sri Lanka 22/0: Pandya and Bhuvi pull it back after a flurry of early boundaries. Just one run each from their respective overs.

Meanwhile, the music is non-stop in the background! Typical Sri Lankan atmosphere.

After 3 overs, Sri Lanka are 19/0: We are underway in Dambulla. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya with the new ball duties for India. Bhuvi hits his stride straight away with just one run off his first over but goes for 10 runs in his second. Pandya goes for a few runs too – 8 in his first. Dickwella and Gunathilaka are looking to make the best of what looks like a good batting surface.

Looks like a good crowd has turned up! Noisy as it can get in Sri Lanka – the drums, papare and all that. Even people in tree branches.

02:28 pm: As we wait for the action to begin a couple of articles for your reading pleasure:

02:25 pm: The national anthems are done. All set for action to begin. Some interesting numbers.

02:15 pm: India have won the toss. Virat Kohli is yet to call wrong on this tour. He says India will chase. Captain Upul Tharanga says he would have batted first anyway. Ajnikya Rahane among the four players to miss out.

02:10 pm: Hello and welcome to The Field’s coverage of the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka. Will we see a series where two teams compete against each other instead of just one team showing up and winning? We are looking at you, Sri Lanka.