Tuesday, August 19 2008 -- After a 2-1 test series win in the Idea Cup, Sri Lanka continued their triumphant form in the first ODI of the five match One day International series played in Dambulla. India who won the toss and chose to bat on the slow pitch were wrapped up for a mere 146 runs. The pitch has a reputation of confining the team batting first to a score below 200 in 12 out of 24 one day matches played on the ground. India recorded their lowest One day score against the Sri Lankans in Sri Lanka and collapsed at 146 as the Sri Lankan spinsters, Muralitharan and Mendis once again claimed majority of the wickets with 3 wickets each.

Gautam Gambhir and debutant Virat Kohli opened the Indian batting with Sachin Tendulkar and Virendar Sehwag missing the action due to injuries. Sri Lankan spearhead Vass provided the breakthrough in the second ball of the innings dismissing Gambhir for a duck. Kohli followed after scoring 12 runs. Nor Yuvraj Singh or MS Dhoni could stop the Sri Lankan dominance as the Lankans bowled 69 dot balls in the first 15 overs.

The Sri Lankans who have never lost a game to India at Dambulla came on to bat confidently and did not seem to be overly bothered loosing their openers Jayasuriya and Sangakkara to a disciplined bowling by Munaf Patel. The skipper Jayawardene played a sensible 61 runs and remained not out achieving his 47th half century and leading the Sri Lankans to an 8 wicket win. Mendis was awarded the man of the match for his 3 wickets for 21 runs.