If Sri Lanka had trouble finishing games in the T20 series, it was India’s turn to falter in what should have been a straightforward chase in the first ODI at R. Premadasa Stadium. The match ended in a thrilling tie.
SL vs IND: India’s Performance
Chasing a target of 231, India needed just five runs off the last three overs with two wickets in hand. When Shivam Dube (25) drilled Charith Asalanka (3 for 30) to the cover boundary off the third ball of the 48th over, it looked like the game was in the bag. But Sri Lankan captain Asalanka wasn’t ready to give up. He dismissed Dube and Arshdeep Singh with consecutive deliveries, giving his team a fighting chance.
On a pitch offering plenty of spin assistance, India started strongly but faltered in the middle overs as Sri Lankan spinners took control.
Rohit Sharma (58 off 47 balls, 7×4, 3×6) set a brisk pace for the chase with his signature strokes. He made the Sri Lankan pacers work hard in the PowerPlay and didn’t hold back against the spinners, including a pair of boundaries off Dunith Wellalage and a four and six off Akila Dananjaya, reaching his half-century in just 33 balls.
But the game turned when left-arm spinner Wellalage (2 for 39) dismissed both openers, Shubman Gill and Rohit, in successive overs. From 75 for no loss, India collapsed to 87 for three, with Dananjaya trapping Washington Sundar leg-before.
SL vs IND: Sri Lanka’s Performance
Wanindu Hasaranga (3 for 58) then dismissed Virat Kohli, who was caught out attempting a back-foot shot. Asitha sent Shreyas Iyer back, leaving India struggling at 132 for five.
K.L. Rahul (31) and Axar Patel (33) revived the innings with a 57-run stand for the sixth wicket. Just when India seemed to be in control, Hasaranga dismissed Rahul and Asalanka had Axar caught behind. Dube’s late effort with two sixes almost secured the win but ultimately fell short.
Earlier, half-centuries from Pathum Nissanka (56) and Wellalage (67 not out) helped Sri Lanka post 230 for eight after they chose to bat. Nissanka, who had a great T20 series, continued his form with impressive shots against the quicks. However, once the spinners came on, Sri Lanka’s middle order faltered, and they were in trouble at 101 for five. Wellalage’s composed innings and crucial partnerships with the lower order ensured a competitive total, though it wasn’t enough to break their streak of 11 straight defeats to India across formats.
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