Sachin Tendulkar's new-look India bounced back from their Sharjah shambles to humble world champions Sri Lanka, cruising to a seven-wicket victory in the first of three one-day internationals.

Captain Tendulkar played a key role in a no-nonsense win in Guwahati, India, which never looked in doubt after the World Cup holders slumped to 172 for nine, batting first.

Tendulkar, with six new players in his line-up, hit a pivotal 82 not out off 86 balls and in the process went past 1,000 runs in one-day internationals for the season.

He was beaten to the man-of-the-match award, though, by all-rounder Robin Singh, who cleaned up the bottom half of the Sri Lankan order with career-best figures of five for 22.

India's captain, Sachin Tendulkar, bounces back from disappointment at Sharjah

Tendulkar said: "Recently we've not had a good time. It's very important we get support and stick together as a team."

Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga left his team in no doubt what he thought of their performance, saying: "We played very badly - we didn't bat, bowl or field well."

Another hero of the match for India was medium-pacer Debasish Mohanty. He was brought into the side for opening bowler Venkatesh Prasad and promptly took three top-order wickets, including the crucial ones of Sanath Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva. This helped reduce Sri Lanka to 30 for three after they had been put in.

Mohanty had Jayasuriya caught in the gully off a drive with the score on five, then Marvan Atapattu was caught behind and de Silva was picked up at short midwicket. Singh then took over with his gentle medium pace, and Sri Lanka could never recover, despite 68 from number three Roshan Mahanama.

For India, Tendulkar and Navjot Sidhu put on 68 for the third wicket before old hand Mohammed Azharuddin joined his captain to finish the job off.

Along with Prasad, pace bowler Abey Kuruvilla, spinner Anil Kumble, batsmen Rahul Dravid and Vinod Kambli and wicketkeeper Syed Saba Karim were all dropped following three straight defeats for India in December's Champions Trophy in Sharjah.

Sri Lanka

Mohammed Azharuddin not out 28

Extras: (lb-1, w-6, nb-1) 8

Total (for 3 wickets in 37.5 Overs) 173

Fall of Wickets: 1-16, 2-26, 3-94
 

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