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Fifties from Ishan and Dhawan help India win first ODI by seven wickets

By Mumbai Indians

Team India began their Sri Lanka tour in style with an eight-wicket victory in the first ODI. The match began with two very special players being handed over their maiden ODI cap for India. 

“It is a great achievement. It’s lovely to welcome people in the family, it’s the result of a lot of hard work not just for each of these boys but their family. It’s a proud moment for them and for their families.” 

Coach Rahul Dravid welcomed the duo of Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan on their ODI debut. Both received their caps from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shikhar Dhawan respectively. 

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Sri Lanka began well but lost their way once the Indian spinners took control. They managed to push the total to 262/9 in fifty overs. However, an early onslaught from Prithvi Shaw and Ishan Kishan meant India chased the total with ease. 

We take you through some of the talking points in the first ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. 

The spin trio domination 

The pair of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav bowled in tandem and picked two wickets each. At the same time, Krunal Pandya also bowled quite economically and also picked a wicket. Overall, the spinners conceded at 4.35 and picked five wickets between them which put Sri Lanka under a lot of pressure. 

Late charge by Sri Lanka 

Walking out to bat at number nine, Chamika Karunaratne finished the innings for Sri Lanka with a late charge of 43 runs from 35 balls. Both him and Chameera went on to score 32 runs in the last two overs to push Sri Lanka's total to 262/9. 

Shaw provides a blistering start 

After getting off the mark with a four, Prithvi Shaw continued to hit boundaries at his will. His power packed start with the bat meant Team India crossed fifty runs in less than five overs. He departed after scoring a quickfire 43 (24). The opener also went on to win the Man of the Match. 

Ishan shines on debut 

After announcing his T20I arrival in style earlier this year, Ishan Kishan hit a spectacular fifty batting at number three on ODI debut. The left-handed batsman began his innings with a six and announced his intentions straightaway. He continued to aim for boundaries and reached his half-century from just 33 balls. 

Dhawan leads from the front 

Right from batting with youngsters like Shaw and Kishan to staying till the end and finishing it for the team, Shikhar Dhawan led from the front with a scintillating knock of 86*. During the process of his knock, he also became the fourth fastest player to cross 6000 runs in ODIs. 

With the seven-wicket win, India now lead the three-match ODI series 1-0. The second match is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at the same venue.