Pacer Ashok Dinda produced a career-best effort of four for 19 while Irfan Pathan ably supported him with three for 27.
The part-time bowlers, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, also played a crucial role in slowing down the Lankan run-chase. They did not let their skipper down as the duo bowled four overs for 22 runs.
"Overall, we were really good. It was a good performance. We thought of a high scoring game but it was slightly different as the ball was swinging till the 20th over. So it was not really easy to slog. We thought we were 10-15 runs short. Especially the way Sri lankan team started, we thought that may be the case but our bowlers came back beautifully," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
"They bowled in the right areas. It was important to take wickets and that's what we did. The combination of Virat and Rohit was a big plus point for us. If you are looking to play with four specialist bowlers and a part-timer, they bowled well as a unit. If in four overs, they concede 30-35 runs, it's ok with us. Our strength is having that seventh batsman in the side. Quite happy with the performance," said the skipper.
Riding on Kohli's well-crafted 68, the Indians managed to put up a respectable 155 for 3. In reply, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 116 in 18 overs at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Asked about India's dominance over Sri Lanka in their home conditions, Dhoni said, "The wickets have changed here. When I first came here, the ball used to stop a lot. But now the pitches have been re-laid. I think we mastered our bowling and batting better than them." (More)
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