The first of the three-match ODI series between Sri Lanka and India ended in a tie after a nail-biting passage of play in the latter stage of the game.
After a solid opening partnership, India kept losing wickets in the middle but always stayed in the hunt. However, with the scores level, captain Charith Asalanka struck twice in two balls to force an improbable tie. And the hosts would take that with both hands, given the demoralising 0-3 loss in the T20Is preceding the series.
India falter in a 231-run chase as Sri Lanka deny them victory.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 2, 2024
Scorecard ➡️ https://t.co/rkFuiZvYRK pic.twitter.com/wPN4OlhbOA
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka put 230-8 on the boards. Those runs didn’t come easy, as they fought for every bit of it. After Pathum Nissanka scored a cautious 75-ball 56, Sri Lanka were on the brink of another collapse, teetering at 142-6. An unbeaten 65-ball 67 from Dunith Wellalage, aided by Wanindu Hasaranga (24 off 35), stretched their total to a competitive one.
Chasing the total, Rohit, playing for the first time since becoming T20 world champion in June, looked at his usual free-flowing nature. He stitched a quickfire 75-run opening stand with Gill, who was removed by Wellalage for a 35-ball 16.
The India captain reached his half-century off 33 balls. In the process, the knock took him level with Sachin Tendulkar for the most scores of 50 and above by an Indian opener in international cricket across formats, on 120. However, Wellalage struck again to make sure Rohit’s departed for a 47-ball 58.
Virat Kohli (24 off 32) and Washington Sundar (five off four) perished soon, both trapped LBW by Wanindu Hasaranga and Akila Dhananjaya respectively. 132-4 soon became 132-5 after Shreyas Iyer was clean bowled by Asitha Fernando for a run-a-ball 23. KL Rahul (31 off 43) and Axar Patel (33 off 57) resurrected the innings with a 54-run stand, but their departure in consecutive overs resulted in India slipping to 197-7 in 40.5 overs.
Shivam Dube used the long handle to take the tourists closer, hitting two sixes. Another four off Asalanka in the 48th over levelled the score. When it seemed like Dube would take India through, Sri Lanka’s captain wrapped him around his pads for 25 off 24, with just a wicket needed for a tie. Asalanka picked up India's No.11 Arshdeep Singh off the next delivery to hand Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the series opener.
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