Colombo T20I: Dhawan's 90 powers India to 174

Left-handed batsman Shikhar Dhawan struck a magnificent 90 which led India to a strong total of 174 for 5 in 20 overs and set Sri Lanka a target of 175 runs to win at the R. Premadasa Stadium here on Tuesday.

Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and inserted India to bat first.

The Men in Blue were off to a poor start when stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma continued his dismal form with the bat as he was dismissed for a nought.

Suresh Raina was cleaned bowled by Lankan pacer Nuwan Pradeep for 1 to leave India reeling at 9 for 2 after two overs.

Manish Pandey and Dhawan then steadied the innings and shared a vital 94-run partnership. Both of them, especially Dhawan, played extravagant shots and put the Sri Lankan pacers under pressure.

Dhawan missed out on a well-deserved hundred when he mistimed a shot off a wide delivery bowled by spinner Danushka Gunathilaka.

Ultimately, Rishabh Pant and wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik then ensured no further hiccups in the innings and guided India to a respectable total of 174 towards the end of the innings.

For Sri Lanka, Dushmantha Chameera took 2 for 33, while Pradeep, Gunathilaka and leg-spinner Jeevan Mendis took a wicket apiece.

At the time of filing this report, Sri Lanka were 70 for 2 after five overs.