India put up a strong all-round show to register their biggest Twenty20 International (T20I) win in terms of runs—93—in the first match against Sri Lanka at the Barabati Stadium.
Opener Lokesh Rahul (61) played sensibly at the top order before Mahendra Singh Dhoni (39 not out) and Manish Pandey (32 not out) finished off the proceedings in style to take India to 180/3.
In reply, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 87 in 16 overs, thanks to leg-spinner Yuzvender Chahal (4/23).
Put in to bat, India started off on a good note as openers Rohit Sharma (17) and Rahul added 38 runs in five overs before Rohit mistimed a shot to mid-on off Angelo Mathews.
In his 13-ball innings, the Mumbai batsman, who became the second Indian after Virat Kohli to complete 1,500 runs, managed to hit only two boundaries.
Shreyas Iyer (24) then joined Rahul in the middle and the duo forged a 74-run partnership to help the team cross the 100-run mark without losing any wickets.
Just when things seemed good in the middle, Iyer was dismissed by Nuwan Pradeep in the 13th over with the scoreboard reading 112. Iyer played 20 balls and slammed three boundaries.
Rahul, too, was sent packing in the 15th over by Thisara Perera. While trying to hit the boundary, Rahul completely missed and ball went on to hit the stumps. His 48-ball innings comprised seven boundaries and one six.
The fall of Rahul's wicket brought Pandey to the crease. He and Dhoni played sensibly and punished the bad balls. India crossed the 150-run mark in the 19th over.
The last few deliveries saw some power-hitting from both the batsmen, especially from Pandey. Dhoni finished off the Indian innings with a six.
For Sri Lanka, Mathews, Pradeep and Perera chipped in with one wicket each.
During the chase, Sri Lankan batsmen could not get going from the beginning.
On a two-paced wicket, India bowlers dropped their pace and the batsmen struggled with their timing, especially against Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.
Niroshan Dickwella (13 off 8) opened up his stance and skied to Rahul at short cover as Sri Lanka lost their first wicket with only 15 runs on the board.
Left-handed opener Upul Thranga (23 off 16) was looking good until he attempted to slog-sweep a wide delivery from leg-spinner Chahal and ending up giving Dhoni a sharp catch.
Sri Lanka further ran into trouble when the experienced Mathews (1) gave a return catch to Chahal.
The Haryana tweaker bagged his third wicket when right-hander Asela Gunaratne (4) was stumped by Dhoni.
The wickets kept falling—the next one being Dasun Shanaka (1) off left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, with the visitors reeling at 58/5.
Chahal continued his good show when he scalped his fourth, this time removing captain Perera (3) to dash the remaining hopes of the visitors. Perera went down the track but was foxed by a googly and Dhoni did the rest.
Kusal Perera, the last recognised Sri Lankan batsman struggled for his 19 runs. As the pressure mounted, he mistimed Kuldeep only for Dhoni to take an easy catch.
Pandya then claimed three wickets to blow away the Sri Lankan lower-order.
