The much-awaited ODI series between India and Sri Lanka got underway with the first game in Colombo on Sunday (July 18).

Opting to bat first, the hosts posted a competitive 262/9 in 50 overs. Chamika Karunaratne was the top scorer with 43 not out off 35 balls while skipper Dasun Shanaka (39) and Charith Asalanka (38) chipped in with handy contributions.

For India, Yuzvendra Chahal (2-52), Kuldeep Yadav (2-48) and Deepak Chahar (2-37) returned with economical figures and claimed two wickets each.

In reply, the visitors got off to a fabulous start as the duo of Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw added 58 runs for the opening wicket in double quick time. In particular, Shaw was severe on the Lankan bowlers, smashing 43 off just 24 balls with 9 boundaries.

Dhananjaya de Silva drew the first blood for Sri Lanka, dismissing Shaw in the sixth over, which led to the arrival of debutant Ishan Kishan at the crease. The southpaw whacked the first delivery he faced for a six and went on to slam his maiden ODI half-century.

Lakshan Sandakan broke the 85-run stand between Kishan and Dhawan by removing the former on 42-ball 59. Batting at No. 4, Manish Pandey forged a 72-run stand with the skipper before being dismissed on 26.

Amid the fall of wickets, Dhawan held the one end firmly. The veteran opener stayed unbeaten on 86 not out off 95 balls and stitched an unbroken 48-run partnership with another debutant Suryakumar Yadav (31 not out off 20 balls) to take India over the line with 7 wickets and 80 balls to spare.

For their stunning display with the bat, Indian batters garnered rich praise from the cricket fraternity on Twitter.

Check out the reactions: