Tharanga, who lost his ODI captaincy to Thisara Perera ahead of the series, was denied his fifty by Hardik Pandya who had the left-handed batsman caught at first slip. Angelo Mathews, 25 not out, and Niroshan Dickwella, on 26, then steered their team home for a win savoured by the visitors after losing the three-Test series 1-0 last week. Pace spearhead Lakmal set up victory for the islanders after Perera won the toss and elected to bowl first at the picturesque ground overlooking the Himalayas.Despite recovering from 29/7, and then an entertaining 65 from @msdhoni, an impressive bowling display from Sri Lanka helps them bowl India out for 112, with Suranga Lakmal taking career best figures of 4/13. Scorecard: https://t.co/rfW6hwUA0M #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/LhKMyBxpjd
— ICC (@ICC) December 10, 2017
The lanky paceman rattled the Indian batting during his extended spell of 10 overs as India collapsed to 29-7 before Mahendra Singh Dhoni fought back with a gritty 65 to take the total past 100. With India in danger of being bowled out for an historic low -- Zimbabwe's 35 in 2004 versus Sri Lanka is the all-time record -- Dhoni put on a crucial 41-run partnership with Kuldeep Yadav for the eighth wicket.0 for 1 2 for 2 8 for 3 16 for 4 16 for 5 India sinking quickly in Dharamsala https://t.co/Rur4xyqeGW #INDvSL
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 10, 2017
The pair took India past 54, their own lowest total, which was set against Sri Lanka in 2000. Dhoni hit 10 fours and two sixes in his 87-ball stay, getting his 67th ODI half-century before he was finally dismissed by Perera to wrap up the Indian innings. It was a horror start for skipper Rohit Sharma, named captain in place of the absent Virat Kohli who is officially resting ahead of the South Africa tour."Hopefully we can regroup and come back in the next two matches." - Rohit Sharma. #INDvSL https://t.co/7JSNSElUxm
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) December 10, 2017
Mathews -- who returned to bowl after recovering from a calf injury -- drew first blood, trapping Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan for nought in the second over of the innings. Lakmal soon got Sharma caught behind for two as the Indian top-order found it hard to counter the bounce and swing at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium. The action now moves to the second ODI in Mohali on Wednesday.Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets with 176 balls remaining against India. Much needed victory from our lions. #RoarLionsRoar #ApeKollo #WeBelieve pic.twitter.com/p7dEheGnCA
— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) December 10, 2017
BRIEF SCORE:Sri Lanka 114 for 3 (Tharanga 49) beat India 112 (Dhoni 65, Lakmal 4-13) by seven wicketsSri Lanka end an unwanted streak with a savage seven-wicket win over India. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/lGprVeHCoO
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) December 10, 2017
