Dinesh Chandimal (Getty Images)
Inexperienced
Sri Lanka fast bowlers Kasun Rajitha and Dasun Shanaka took three
wickets apiece to bundle out India for 101 and set up a five-wicket
victory in the first Twenty20 international.
Rajitha, making his international debut on Tuesday,
dismissed Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane in the first over to give Sri
Lanka a perfect start after they chose to bowl first on a green-tinged
surface at Pune.
The paceman also sent back Shikhar Dhawan as India,
top-ranked in the shortest format, continued losing wickets trying to
play high-risk shots.
Shanaka, playing only his second match for Sri
Lanka, sent back Suresh Raina and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in one
over to dent India's chances of posting a competitive total.
Ravichandran Ashwin top-scored with an unbeaten 31
to take India past the three-figure mark, which looked a distant
prospect at one stage with the hosts struggling at 8-72.
Ashish
Nehra picked up two early wickets to give India a glimmer of hope but a
39-run stand between captain Dinesh Chandimal (35) and Chamara
Kapugedera (25) put the tourists back on course.
Sri
Lanka, missing fast bowler and regular captain Lasith Malinga,
allrounder Angelo Mathews and spinner Rangana Herath in the series due
to injuries, stuttered once again with off-spinner Ashwin picking up two
wickets.
But Milinda Siriwardana hit 21 off 14 balls as Sri Lanka reached their target with two overs to spare.
The second match of the series will be played in the eastern Indian city of Ranchi on Friday.
Reuters
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