After a break from international cricket, Dhoni's men play Sri Lanka in a five-match ODI series giving India an opportunity to regain the number one spot in the ICC ODI rankings. Sri Lanka are on a bit of a high, having beaten Pakistan in the ODI and Test series at home before this. The first ODI between the lions of Asia was played at Hambantota in Sri Lanka. However, the hosts could not make an impact against the Indian mammoth total, 314 for six wickets. Virat Kohli (106) and Virender Sehwag (96) knocked the Lankan bowlers out of their wits and sent the home team on a leather hunt. Paramount efforts by peer batsmen followed by meticulous bowling perfection saw the hosts pick up the laurels. Even the Lankan Skipper Sangakara’s (133) mighty knock could not save the home team.

India opened the innings on a negative node with Gautam Gambhir succumbing in the third over to a bowl from Nuwan Kulasekara. The Indian fans fretted in dismay and sat in despair. Nevertheless, in walked Virat Kohli who lifted the moods of the fans with his textbook shots and proved too much for the home team. Sehwag in his company exhibited his seniority and played his best. It was unfortunate to see the latter leave the field just four runs short of his century in the new stadium. Between them, they had a solid partnership of almost 173 runs and that made the major difference for the hosts.

The Lankans came into bat with a huge target set forth by the hosts. Though the openers fizzled, it was the skipper, who played an appreciable innings. Thisara Perera was the second best on the Lankan side to score 44 runs, while the rest played a humble wicket. On the bowling fronts Zaheer Khan grabbed five wickets, Irfan Pathan took four wickets and Umesh Yadav took  three. Indian bowling trio devastated the Lankan batsman and subsequently the home team wound up for 293 for 9. Indians won the first ODI against the Lankans with a 21-run lead. India are 1.0 with Virat Kohli as the Man of the Match.  (With inputs from internet- AW AarKay)