Sri Lanka vs India 1st ODI was a thriller. Now we have seen two back-to-back tie games in this India tour of Sri Lanka This is indeed a very exciting contest between the two Asian giants.
Sri Lanka 230 for 8 (Wellalage 67*, Nissanka 56, Axar 2-33, Arshdeep 2-47) tied with India 230 (Rohit 58, Axar 33, Asalanka 3-30, Hasaranga 3-58)
Sri Lanka looked to be crumbling against India when they were 101 for 5, but they responded vigorously with runs and wickets before the match was shared. And Charith Asalanka – captaining Sri Lanka for the first time in ODI cricket – made it happen by getting rid of Shivam Dube and Arshdeep Singh off consecutive balls.
The crowd was going wild!
With India needing five runs off 18 balls and two wickets left, it was anyone’s game. Dube was in his IPL spin-hitting mode. He hit a six off Wanindu Hasaranga’s legbreak. Asalanka could have brought on Asitha Fernando or debutant Mohamed Shiraz, but he decided to bowl himself. And it worked!
The moment Arshdeep played this harsh shot and got trapped LBW
Dube tied the scores with a shot through the covers. Then, Asalanka got him out lbw with a slider. The decision was overturned on review, making the crowd go crazy. Next ball, Asalanka trapped Arshdeep lbw with another slider, ending the match in a tie.
The fast bowlers of Sri Lanka were out of the game due to injuries or illness, and that is why the hosts had to rely more on their spinners. Maheesh Theekshana was just the icing on an already dead cake. Wrist-spinner Hasaranga, mystery spinner Akila Dananjaya and left-arm orthodox bowler Dunith Wellalage all did the job for their captain. After a 75-run opening stand, Wellalage began India’s collapse by dismissing Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. Dananjaya got Washington Sundar, who was promoted up the order. Hasaranga got three wickets, including Virat Kohli for 24 off 32 balls. Hasaranga kept Kohli quiet and then trapped him lbw with a skidding delivery.
KL Rahul and Axar Patel tried to rebuild with a 57-run partnership, but Rahul mis-hit a slog-sweep off Hasaranga. Axar tried to lead India’s chase but was caught off Asalanka’s off-break for 33. Dube’s late cameo wasn’t enough.
India started strong with Rohit Sharma smashing boundaries in the powerplay. He hit a 33-ball half-century but got out for 58 off 47 balls to Wellalage.
Rohit back after T20I retirement, starts ODI series with a Bang
Sri Lanka had a slow powerplay, scoring just 33 runs. Pathum Nissanka held on with a 67-ball half-century. Wellalage supported the lower order with crucial stands. He countered Washington Sundar’s off-spin and hit innovative shots, including reverse sweeps and ramps. Wellalage reached his maiden ODI fifty off 59 balls.
Washington and Kuldeep Yadav were threats with their turn and bounce. Kuldeep got Asalanka out with a catch to Rohit at first slip. Axar Patel’s spin set the tone early, getting Nissanka out.
In the end, Sri Lanka’s spinners outperformed India’s, forcing an unexpected tie and setting the stage for an exciting series.
Watch the highlights of the exciting Sri Lanka vs India 1st ODI below,
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