Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane Race Each Other to Hundreds vs Sri Lanka

Shikhar Dhawan slammed his sixth ODI hundred while Ajinkya Rahane completed his second ton as India scored 362/5 in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Cuttack on Sunday. (Scorecard | Blog)

Dhawan got to his triple figures off 96 balls while Rahane took a mere 99 to reach the landmark. This is the sixth time that both Indian openers have scored hundreds in the same match; twice against Sri Lanka.

Dhawan had recently struck a compact 68 against the West Indies in the first match in Kochi before returning against Sri Lanka to completely decimate an inexperienced attack without Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath.

Rahane, who was promoted as an opener after Rohit Sharma was injured in the second ODI in England, continued his fine form as well. The prolific scorer from Mumbai had cracked his maiden ODI hundred in Birmingham in September and looked determined to seal his slot with Rohit on the verge of a comeback to the Indian side.

Dhawan, with partner Ajinkya Rahane started on a circumspect note. The duo was watchful against the new ball before opening up after the first power play. Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews was at a complete loss for ideas as the two Indian openers toyed with the visitors' attack. "We were watching the ball in the first ten overs as it was doing something. Then, we decided to go for it. It was good fun to watch each other bat and it was like a race to our centuries," said a beaming Dhawan after the innings.

The Cuttack pitch had little to offer to the bowlers and the daunting task of bowling against two determined batsmen would have tested the best. And with Sri Lanka fielding a debutant (Lahiru Gamage) and an off-spinner (Suraj Randiv) returning to ODIs after a three-year layoff, the task was just too stiff.

Dhawan was eventually dismissed for 113 by Priyanjan with India's score on 231. Rahane followed soon after for 111 and India were 247/2 in 37.5 overs.