OPENERS Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan blasted Sri Lanka out of the water as India launched their one-day international series with a spectacular demolition job in Cuttack.

The pair put on 231 for the first wicket, including a devastating mid-innings blast of 96 runs from just eight overs, to set the stage for a 169-run victory.
India amassed a staggering 363 for five in their 50 overs with both Rahane and Dhawan passing three figures before their partnership was finally broken by Ashan Priyanjan in the 35th over when Dhawan was bowled for 113 from 107 balls.
Rahane followed him back to the pavilion in short order having lofted a Suraj Randiv full toss to mid-off on 111, having faced one ball more, but a quick-fire 52 from Suresh Raina left the tourists, for whom Randiv claimed three for 78, with a mountain to climb.
Sri Lanka’s reply did little to dispel speculation that they had arrived under-prepared, as their top order batsmen made starts, but were unable to carry on.
By the time they reached the 100-mark, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and Upul Tharanga had all gone, and although Mahela Jayawardene provided some resistance with 43 from 36 balls, Angelo Mathews’ men failed to make it to the end of the 40th over, with Thisara Perera the last man to depart, caught by Ishant Sharma off the bowling of Umesh Yadav for 29 with the score on 194.
Sharma had earlier helped himself to four for 34 from his eight overs with Sangakkara, Priyanjan, Randiv and Dhammika Prasad his victims.