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The first ODI between India and Sri Lanka played yesterday at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo ended in a tie. Batting first after winning the toss, the hosts put up 230-8 before the Men in Blue were bowled out for 230 in 47.5 overs.
In a thrilling finish, India needed five to win off the last three overs with two wickets in hand. Shivam Dube (25) smacked Charith Asalanka for a four past cover to level the scores. The left-hander was, however, trapped lbw next ball as the Lankans took the DRS. Arshdeep Singh (0) then played a slog across the line and was also out leg before as the Lankans pulled off a brilliant tie.
Earlier, India got off to an excellent start in the chase courtesy of their skipper Rohit Sharma (58). Sri Lanka, though, did a great job to reduce the visitors to 132-5, with Virat Kohli (24) and Shreyas Iyer (23) failing to convert their starts.
KL Rahul (31) and Axar Patel (33) added 57 for the sixth wicket to bring India back in the contest. Rahul, though, perished to Wanindu Hasaranga in his endeavor to swipe a tossed-up delivery. Asalanka then got one to spin away from Axar and induced a nick from the left-hander. The twin strikes proved crucial in the end.
Earlier, Sri Lanka recovered from 101-5 to post 230-8. Although Pathum Nissanka scored 56 off 75, the hosts kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Dunith Wellalage (67* off 65), though, led Sri Lanka's recovery with a defiant half-century.
Wellalage, who hit seven fours and two sixes in his knock, got good support from Janith Liyanage (20), Hasaranga (24) and Akila Dananjaya (17). The lower order kept Sri Lanka in the game before eventually forcing a tie.
Who won Player of the Match in yesterday’s India vs Sri Lanka ODI?
Wellalage had a good all-round game for the hosts. He picked up two wickets to go with his half-century. Nissanka contributed 56, while Hasaranga and Asalanka claimed three wickets each.
For India, Axar picked up 2-33 and scored 33. Arshdeep also claimed two scalps, while skipper Rohit top-scored for the Men in Blue in the chase with a fluent fifty, hitting seven fours and three sixes.
Wellalage, though, was named the Player of the Match for his impressive all-round show.
