India Strike the first blow in ODI series

Virat Kohli smashed another century - his fourth in the last five innings - as India shrugged off their rust after a long layoff to begin the new season with a 21-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first one-day international here on Saturday.Kohli, who came to the wicket after India lost Gautam Gambhir's wicket at the score of seven, was in his element from the outset, cutting Nuwan Kulasekara for a boundary to get off the mark. He went on to hit nine boundaries in his 113-ball 106. Virender Sehwag, who struggled earlier in his innings, was in his attacking best once got set.

Kohli and Sehwag shared a 173-run stand for the second wicket to steer the visitors to an impressive 314 for 6 in 50 overs.

Irfan Pathan, who was included for the tour after injury to Vinay Kumar, gave India a rousing start, trapping Tillakaratne Dilshan right in front for 6. But Kumar Sangakkara, along with Upul Tharanga, took the hosts' innings forward, sharing 77 for the second wicket.
But once Tharanga departed at the score of 86, India tightened the noose and picked up the wickets of Dinesh Chandimal (13), skipper Mahela Jayawardene (12) and Angelo Mathews (7) in a quick succession. Sangakkara, however, reached his 14th ODI century by pushing Ashwin to long-on for a single.
Thisara Perera was just the sort of a partner Sangakkara was looking for as the hard-hitting batsman took the attack to the Indians, smashing three fours and a six in his 28-ball knock. But the Indian score proved just proved to much to overhaul at the end. Despite Sangakkara's valiant 133, Sri Lankan could manage 293 for 9 in their 50 overs.
For India, R Ashwin, Umesh Yadav and Pathan scalped two wickets each, while Zaheer Khan and Pragyan Ojha shared one wicket a piece.
Earlier, India started poorly after winning the toss when they lost opener Gambhir who made just three. But Kohli and Sehwag steadied the innings and negated Sri Lanka's early advantage.
Sehwag, who looked rusty at the beginning, got run out after he started off for a single at the non-striker's end after Kohli had played the ball, but Perera was able to hit the stumps.
Kohli got to his hundred after he eased Malinga through to deep cover for a single. But he could add just six more to his total and was caught by substitute fielder Sachithra Senanayake off a slow delivery from Perera.
Having picked up three wickets for 48 runs and reducing India to 228 for 4 in the middle overs, Sri Lanka looked to make a comeback. However, Suresh Raina and captain MS Dhoni shared 79 off just 54 to put India on top.
Raina's 50 runs had come off only 45 balls. He smacked three boundaries and a six, while Dhoni hit three fours and a six in his 35-run knock.
Perera was expensive but picked up 3 for 70, while pace spearhead Lasith Malinga conceded 83 runs off his 10 overs. Another pacer, Kulasekara could bowl only five overs after being injured attempting a catch.