Dambulla, Jan. 28 : India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the opening one-day international here on Wednesday to gain a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Replying to Sri Lanka''s score of 246 for seven in 50 overs, India scored 247-4 in 48.1 overs.

Half-centuries from Gautam Gambhir (62), Suresh Raina (54) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (61 not out) outdid a superlative century from Sanath Jayasuriya (107) as India successfully chased the highest total in a day game in Dambulla.

The pursuit never got out of hand for India, despite the early fall of Sachin Tendulkar. Once Gambhir and Raina got going, the asking-rate went above five only towards the last ten overs.

India got vital contributions from three batsmen, and were disciplined in the field. Sri Lanka relied on a spectacular Jayasuriya alone for their runs.

The outstanding feature of Dhoni''s knock was not the power, but the placement: two of his five boundaries came after he had ensured India would win. He nudged and patted his way to 27 singles and seven twos. True to his image, he stayed unbeaten.

Ishant Sharma shone with the ball for India during the Sri Lankan innings, taking three wickets for 52 runs of his alloted ten overs. (ANI)