Contrasting powerplays at the heart of India's tri-series opener defeat

Sri Lanka head coach Chandika Hathurusingha had admitted from the outset that India start the Nidahas Trophy as favourites. But that hasn't led to any diffidence in the hosts' dressing room.

Whether that was due to Sri Lanka's recent turn of fortune in Bangladesh, or their home advantage or even the change of guard in the coaching staff, is hard to tell.

But clearly, the hosts came prepared for the challenge, and were led admirably by the comeback man Kusal Perera, who played a whirlwind knock. The powerful southpaw hit four sixes and six fours in his 37-ball 66 to fashion a crucial win over Rohit Sharma & Co., and was the central character in the defining six-over powerplay that made the difference in the contest.

While the Indian batsmen managed 40 runs from their first six overs, they also lost two crucial wickets up front. The hosts, however, smashed 75 runs in the same phase - their highest-ever score in the powerplay overs - with Perera dictating terms. Perera, who is known for his big-hitting abilities, went for the jugular right from the start - his first runs of the evening came through a towering six off Washington Sundar, before he laid into