Sri Lanka Spinners Force Unexpected Tie against India in 1st ODI .

India and Sri Lanka played to a thrilling tie in the first ODI of their three-match series in Colombo on Friday. Solid fifties from Dunith Wellalage and Pathum Nissanka helped Sri Lanka post a respectable 230 for 8 after choosing to bat. The total was more competitive than it appeared due to conditions favoring slow bowlers. Wellalage’s unbeaten 67 off 65 balls included seven fours and two sixes, while Nissanka contributed 56 off 75 balls. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel (2/33 in 10 overs) and wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav (1/33 in 10 overs) were economical, with seamers Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj each taking a wicket. In the last 20 overs, 118 runs were added. Chasing, captain Rohit Sharma scored 58 off 47 balls, with Axar Patel (33) and KL Rahul (31) also making contributions but failing to finish the game. Charith Asalanka (3/30) and Wanindu Hasaranga (3/58) were the standout bowlers for the hosts.

Toss:

Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat. Fast bowler Mohamed Shiraz made his debut for Sri Lanka.

Playing XI:

India:

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (w), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj

Sri Lanka:

Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Akila Dananjaya, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz

SRI LANKA-

Sri Lanka managed to reach 230/8 thanks to a fighting half-century from Wellalage. The youngster partnered with the lower order after Sri Lanka was reduced to 101/5 by the 27th over. Mohammed Siraj struck early, dismissing Avishka Fernando, but Nissanka kept finding the boundary during the powerplay.

 

 

 

 

The run rate remained below par due to Kusal Mendis’ slow start, which ended when Dube trapped him lbw for his first wicket in the format. While Nissanka continued strongly, the hosts kept losing wickets. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Asalanka failed to make significant contributions, and Nissanka’s departure after his fifty didn’t help.

Sri Lanka needed both a partnership and a run rate boost, scoring at less than four an over. Janith Liyanage and Wellalage steadied the innings before Axar broke their partnership. Wellalage then formed useful stands with Hasaranga and Dananjaya, ensuring Sri Lanka didn’t collapse. He eventually brought up his maiden ODI fifty, helping his side finish with 230, a total just enough to avoid defeat.

INDIA-

India, led by a dominant Rohit Sharma, started aggressively in their chase. Despite not making clean connections, Rohit hit a six and a four in the first over. Shubman Gill followed with boundaries in the next two overs. Debutant Mohamed Shiraz faced Rohit’s onslaught, conceding two fours and a six as India raced to 40 runs in the first four overs.

 

Sri Lanka turned to spin in the fifth over, but Rohit continued his assault, hitting two fours off Wellalage’s first over. Rohit reached another ODI fifty, but India’s run rate dipped when Wellalage bowled 12 consecutive dot balls to Gill, who was eventually dismissed trying to break free. Rohit was trapped lbw by Wellalage in his next over.

India surprised by promoting Washington Sundar, but Sri Lanka quickly dismissed him for a single-digit score. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer briefly halted Sri Lanka’s momentum, with Kohli hitting successive boundaries off Wellalage. However, Hasaranga dismissed Kohli, and Shreyas was bowled in the next over.

With nearly 100 runs needed and only KL Rahul, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube left among recognized batters, India faced a tough task. Rahul and Axar calmed things with a watchful half-century stand, but Sri Lanka remained a wicket away from regaining control. Hasaranga dismissed Rahul, followed by Axar’s wicket in the next over.

Dube was left to finish the job with the tail. India endured a tense period, but Dube managed to hit a couple of sixes and a boundary to level the scores. However, needing just one run, Dube and Arshdeep were trapped lbw by Asalanka off successive deliveries, resulting in a thrilling tie.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka 230/8 in 50 overs (Dunith Wellalage 67*, Pathum Nissanka 56; Axar Patel 2/33) tied with India 230 in 47.5 overs (Rohit Sharma 58, Axar Patel 33; Charith Asalanka 3/30)