India defeated Sri Lanka by 21 runs in the opening one-day international in Hambantota on Saturday to gain a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Virat Kohli scored 106 as India posted 314-6 before restricting Sri Lanka to 293-9 in the day-night match. Kumar Sangakkara top-scored for Sri Lanka with 133. Earlier, Virat Kohli cracked a century and Virender Sehwag made a brisk 96 as India posted a challenging 314-6 against Sri Lanka.
Kohli (106) and opener Sehwag, who were dropped early in their innings, made the most of the chances as they added 173 for the second wicket to help their team set a stiff target. India lost opener Gautam Gambhir (three) in the third over after electing to bat in the day-night match but Sehwag and Kohli propped up the innings with their big stand. Kohli hit nine fours in a 113-ball knock for his 12th one-day hundred, and the fourth in the last five matches. He fell in the 40th over, caught by substitute fielder Sachithra Senanayake in the covers off Thisara Perera.
Sehwag, who returned to the one-day squad after missing the Asia Cup in Bangladesh in March due to an injury, looked set to complete his 16th one-day hundred before he was run out. He hit 10 fours in his 97-ball knock. Suresh Raina smashed a 45-ball 50 and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni made 35 off 29 deliveries as India scored 86 in the last 10 overs.
