India beat Sri Lanka by 21 runs in the first ODI

Despite Kumar Sangakkara's heroics with the bat India drew first blood over Sri Lanka with a 21 run win to take a 1-0 lead in the five match series. (All photos AFP)

It was an early setback for India as Gautam Gambhir fell to Nuwan Kulasekara with just seven runs on the board.

However Sri Lanka's joy would be shortlived as Virender Sehwag and Virat Kohli put on 173 runs for the second wicket to give India the platform for a big total.

Sehwag was soon scoring in his typical aggressive fashion as the ball began to hit the boundary ropes on a regular basis.

Viru may have missed out on his hundred but Kohli was in no mood not to cash in as he brought up his fourth century this year.

After the departure of both it was Suresh Raina's turn to come to the party as he hit yet another half-century to help India reach a competetive 314/6.

Kumar Sangakkara played a lone hand as he smashed 133 runs with fluency and elegance to keep the Indians at bay.

Upul Tharanga gave Sangakkara good support but could not convert his start into a big score as Ashwin accounted for him.

The cheap dismissal of Mahela Jayawardena ensured Sri Lanka would be pegged back in their run chase of this big total.

Even though Thisara Perera gave the Lankans hope towards the end it was always an uphill task as they reached 293/9 in 50 overs. While the win is not convincing, it does give Dhoni's boys confidence going into the rest of the series.