Sri Lanka wins big as Indian batting crumbles without Kohli
Sri Lanka fast bowler Suranga Lakmal led an inspired pace attack to an emphatic seven-wicket win over India in the first one-day international in Dharamsala on Sunday.
Lakmal returned career-best ODI figures of 4-13 to help dismiss India for just 112, with Sri Lanka achieving the target in 20.4 overs and taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The visitors lost two early wickets in their chase before opening batsman Upul Tharanga made a 46-ball 49 to help his team end a 12-match losing streak.
Tharanga, who lost his ODI captaincy to Thisara Perera ahead of the series, was denied his fifty by Hardik Pandya who had the left-handed batsman caught at first slip.
Angelo Mathews, 25 not out, and Niroshan Dickwella, on 26, then steered their team home for a win savoured by the visitors after losing the three-Test series 1-0 last week.
Pace spearhead Lakmal set up victory for the islanders after Perera won the toss and elected to bowl first at the picturesque ground overlooking the Himalayas.