Dhawan's century powers India to 9 wicket win against Sri Lanka

Opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan hit a blazing century to help India beat Sri Lanka by nine wickets in the first one-day international in Dambulla on Sunday.

Chasing a modest 217 for victory, India rode on an unbeaten 197-run stand between Dhawan (132) and skipper Virat Kohli (82) to canter home in 28.5 overs.

But it was the spinners, led by Axar Patel, who set up the opening win for the visitors in the five-match series after bowling out Sri Lanka for 216 in 43.2 overs.

Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli are seen running between the wickets. Both of them shared a partnership that saw India beating the hosts by nine wickets.

Indian fans celebrated as the Men in Blue thrashed the Lankans by nine wickets.

The hosts were restricted to a mere 216 in 43.2 overs. India had crushed Sri Lanka 3-0 in the Test series.