XtraTime Web Desk: Rohit Sharma led Indian cricket team made a poor start in the Nidahas Trophy as hosts Sri Lanka beat the Men in Blue by 5 wickets in the tournament opener in Colombo today. Earlier after winning the toss Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal sent the visitors to bat first and thanks to a brilliant knock by India’s star opener Shikhar Dhawan (90) India reached a respectable total of 174 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. In reply Kusal Perera’s destructive knock of 66 runs helped the hosts to achieve the target with 9 balls to spare.
Skipper Rohit and Suresh Raina got out early but, Vice captain Dhawan, Manish Pandey and Rishabh Pant played well as they scored 35 and 23 respectively. Sri Lanka skipper Chandimal was the pick of the bowlers as he picked 2 wickets.
Sri Lanka started well though they lost the wicket of Kushal Mendis in the second over. Kusal Perera started the proceedings as he scored 66 runs before he got stumped by a brilliant leg spin delivery of Washington Sundar. Shardul Thakur conceded 27 runs in an over but came back strongly in the 16 th over but, it was not enough as Thisara Perera and Shanaka led the host to the target.