India’s tour of Sri Lanka ODI series, got off to a thrilling start as the first ODI ended in a tie at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Opting to bat, the host nation lost Avishka Fernando early in the innings to Mohammed Siraj. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka batted cautiously in the first powerplay but the former was dismissed by Shivam Dube for 14. Post that, the spin trio of Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar kept a tight leash on the scoring rate. Although Nissanka notched up a fifty, Sri Lanka slipped to 101/5. The Lankan were staring down the barrel but unlike the T20Is, their lower-order stepped up and bailed them out of trouble. Dunith Wellalage stitched three crucial partnerships. First a 41-run stand with Janith Liyanage who walked off even though he didn’t get a nick. Next a 36-run stand with Wanindu Hasaranga who batted quite sensibly. And then finally 46 run stand with Akila Dananjaya. who gave the youngster good support.
In reply, Rohit Sharma got India off to a flier with a 33-ball fifty as the visitors scored 71 without losing a wicket in the first powerplay. The Sri Lankan spinners applied the brakes. Wellalage, the man who starred with the bat, struck twice in two overs to remove both the Indian openers. Sundar, promoted to four, perished after hitting a boundary. The experienced duo of Virat Kohli (24) and Shreyas Iyer (23) steadied the ship somewhat but Sri Lanka nipped them out in back-to-back overs.
At 132/5, the game was poised nicely. KL Rahul and Axar batted sensibly until the former tried to slogsweep Hasaranga. That high-risk shot brought back Sri Lanka into the contest. Asalanka accounted for the well-set Axar and when Kuldeep fell to Hasaranga, Sri Lanka were on top. The pendulum once again swung towards India with Dube smashing two sixes and a boundary. India needed just one run to win but Charith Asalanka – Sri Lanka’s new captain – provided the killer blow by trapping Dube and Arshdeep Singh lbw off successive deliveries.
Dunith Wellalage was adjudged the Player of the Match for his all-round show of 67* runs and picking up two wickets.
Scorecard:
Sri Lanka: 230/8, Overs 50, Dunith Wellalage 67*, Axar Patel 2/33
India: 230, Overs 47.5, Rohit Sharma 58, Charith Asalanka 3/30