Colombo [Sri Lanka]: Sri Lankan spinners, led by skipper Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga, managed to stifle India’s run chase despite a strong start from skipper Rohit Sharma, leading to a thrilling tie in the first ODI in Colombo on Friday.
The three-match ODI series now stands level at 0-0, with two more matches to go.
India’s Run Chase:
Chasing a target of 231, Indian captain Rohit Sharma provided an aggressive start, hitting Asitha Fernando for a four and six in the first over. He continued his onslaught, scoring 15 runs off Mohammed Shiraz in the fourth over and reaching his half-century in just 33 balls. By the end of 10 overs, India was at 71/0 with Rohit (54*) and Shubman Gill (13*) at the crease.
Dunith Wellalage ended the 75-run opening partnership by dismissing Gill for 16. He then took the crucial wicket of Rohit for 58, reducing India to 80/2. Washington Sundar, promoted to number four, was trapped leg-before-wicket by Dhananjaya de Silva for five runs.
Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer attempted to stabilize the innings, but Kohli was dismissed by Hasaranga for 24, followed by Iyer’s wicket taken by Asitha for 23. India was left at 132/5.
KL Rahul and Axar Patel built a 57-run partnership, but Hasaranga struck again, dismissing Rahul for 31. Asalanka then removed Axar for 33. Despite a late surge from Shivam Dube and Kuldeep Yadav, Asalanka trapped Dube lbw for 25, leaving India needing just one run with one wicket in hand. Asalanka then bowled Arshdeep Singh, resulting in a tie.
Sri Lanka’s Innings:
Batting first, Sri Lanka scored 230/8, with key contributions from Pathum Nissanka (56) and Dunith Wellalage (67*). Despite losing early wickets, Nissanka and Wellalage held the innings together. Indian bowlers, led by Axar Patel (2/33), kept the pressure on with regular wickets.
Match Summary:
Sri Lanka: 230/8 in 50 overs (Dunith Wellalage 67*, Pathum Nissanka 56, Axar Patel 2/33)
India: 230 in 47.5 overs (Rohit Sharma 58, Axar Patel 33, Charith Asalanka 3/30)
Asalanka and Hasaranga were the standout bowlers for Sri Lanka, each taking three crucial wickets. The series now moves to the second ODI with both teams eager to take the lead.