Colombo: In a nail-biting first ODI at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, India managed to level the score with Sri Lanka, chasing a target of 231 runs. However, the Indian team lost all their wickets, leading to a tied match and no Super Over to determine the winner.
For India, Rohit Sharma was the standout performer with a solid 58 off 47 balls. Axar Patel (33) and KL Rahul (31) provided valuable contributions, but the rest of the batting lineup struggled against the disciplined Sri Lankan bowlers.
Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka were the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka, each claiming three wickets. Dunith Wellalage took two wickets, while Asitha Fernando and Akila Dananjaya added one wicket apiece to their tally.
The match began with Sri Lanka winning the toss and opting to bat first. They posted a competitive total of 230 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs. Dunith Wellalage was the top scorer for the hosts with an unbeaten 67 off 65 balls, and Prathum Nissanka contributed 56 off 75 balls. Other Sri Lankan batsmen failed to make significant scores, with none crossing the 25-run mark.
India’s bowling attack was led by Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel, who both took two wickets each. Mohammed Siraj, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar chipped in with a wicket each.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma expressed that he was fine with chasing on what he believed to be a good batting surface after losing the toss. Despite dominating the T20I series with a 3-0 victory, India found themselves challenged in this first ODI encounter.
The second ODI of the series will be held at the same venue in Colombo on Sunday. With the series now tantalizingly poised, both teams will be looking to gain an upper hand in the upcoming matches.