New Delhi: In an unexpected turn of events which took place at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the first ODI match between India and Sri Lanka ended in a dramatic tie. Chasing a moderate score of 231 to win the series opener on Friday, India, after a prolific start, succumbed as the host nation made a terrific comeback after it seemed all over for them and restricted the visitors on the same score.
In the history of ODI cricket, this happened to be the 44th tie while between India and Sri Lanka, this was the second tie in ODIs.
India derail after initial efforts
After dominating the initial part of the chase where skipper Rohit Sharma (58) and Shubman Gill (16) played pivotal roles, the Men in Blue lost the track and kept on losing wickets regularly. KL Rahul (31) and Axar Patel (33) came to the rescue for a while with a half-century stand but it was soon broken by the Lankan bowlers. Shivam Dube tried his best with a 25-run knock but wickets from the other end derailed his efforts as he also succumbed in the 48th over.
For the Lankans, it became easy to get rid of Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh, who experimented with a sweep shot but was pronounced leg before wicket Wanindu Hasaranga and skipper Charith Asalanka proved to be the stars with three wickets each while Dunith Wellalage contributed with two wickets.
Wellalage, Nissanka the saviours
Earlier, composed fifties by Dunith Wellalage and Pathum Nissanka helped Sri Lanka reach a decent 230 for 8 in the first match. Wellalage’s 67 not out off 65 balls had seven fours and two sixes in it while Nissanka made 56 off 75 balls as the other batters failed show some credible stuff. Left-arm orthodox spinner Axar Patel (2/33 in 10 overs) and wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav (1/33 in 10 overs) were economical while seamers Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj also chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Sri Lanka produced a superb comeback to hold India for a tie in the first ODI of the three-match series at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday. This was the second tie between the two teams. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
