After a nail-biting third T20I between India and Sri Lanka, we saw a slow burning opening ODI at a typical Colombo wicket, which had something for everyone. After 97.5 overs of see-saw cricket, we saw another tied game, with Sri Lankan bowlers giving their all. The rustiness of Indian batting was there to be seen as well, with the Men in Blue losing entire ten wickets withing a span of 155 runs in a 231-run chase.
Bright start for IND bowlers
Despite the clouds covered the ground initially, Charith Asalanka asked India to bowl first. Straightway, the Indian bowlers put the Lankan batters under pressure. Lanka’s nemesis Mohammed Siraj got the better of Avishka Fernando. He moved the ball early on and put massive trouble.
However, Siraj was unfortunate to get another wicket. Pathum Nissanka, meanwhile, got stuck. While Siraj dropped him once at fine leg, Nissanka continued to pile up runs. His partner Kusal Mendis looked out of sorts and failed to hit the middle of the bat, eventually being Shivam Dube’s maiden ODI wicket.
Soon, Indian spinners took over and completely ruled the roost. Axar Patel sent back Sadeera Samarawickrama due to an outer edge. Then came Kuldeep Yadav, who nicked skipper Asalanka straight to Rohit Sharma. Washington Sundar, who was turning the ball quite well trapped Nissanka after the opener got to his fifty. It seemed to be a turning point of the match. However, it wasn’t.
Dunith Wellalage to the rescue!
The fightback shown by the Sri Lankan lower-order was superb. Led by youngster Dunith Wellalage, the hosts made 113 runs in the last 20 overs. On a pitch which is really tricky for batting, with the new ball seaming around the softer ball turning and bouncing, young Wellalage played superbly to stay not out and churn out crucial 67 runs. His stroke-play behind the wicket on either side was brilliant.
He struggled initially, but held fort and did not throw in the towel at any stage. Janith Liyanage first up, Wanindu Hasaranga after that and finally, Akila Dananjaya helped the young left-hander immensely. In the same way, India’s bowling and fielding in the last 15 overs was average. The pacers went too short and got punished and the body language seemed off as well. In the end, Lanka put up a commendable total of 230 runs in their 50 overs. Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel took two wickets each for India.
The ‘Rohit Sharma’ show
India’s chase began extremely well. In fact, when Rohit Sharma was on song, it looked like India would take this game at a canter. The Indian skipper was simply out of this world, hammering the Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground without much sweat. He mustered runs at a strike rate of 123.40, including 3 sixes, which made him the player with the joint-most international sixes as a captain (233).
Middle-overs collapse
Shubman Gill, meanwhile, played in his shell. While Rohit operated at a blistering rate, Gill struck runs at 45.71 and when he tried to up the ante, the Indian vice-captain skied one to get out. It started a collapse for India. From 75/0, India lost their next five wickets within just 57 runs. Rohit got out while sweeping, Virat Kohli (24) was trapped in front by Wanindu Hasaranga as well. Washington Sundar, who was promoted as a pinch hinter at number four, also lost his wicket at just 5 runs.
Rusty batting by India
Then the eyes were on Shreyas Iyer, who was making his much-awaited ODI return. He looked tentative early on but showed promise. However, a superb in-swinging delivery by Asitha Fernando castled his off-stump, ending his stay of run-a-ball 23. This led Axar Patel come to crease and he tried to play a rescue act alongside KL Rahul.
The two did well to get the hang of the wicket as well. KL and Axar added 57 runs for the sixth wicket, which was much needed for the visitors. However, Sri Lanka didn’t lose hope. The spinners kept the pressure going on. The rustiness of Indian batters didn’t contribute as well, with most of them failing to convert their starts.
Dube raises hope but falters
At the end, Shivam Dube looked like a hero for India. Batting at number eight, he hammered a four and two sixes and almost sealed the deal for India. In fact, the Rohit Sharma-led team needed just 1 run off 15 balls. However, the unthinkable happened. He was trapped in front by skipper Asalanka and tension rose with number 11 Arshdeep Singh coming to the fore. All he had to do is to dab a single. However, the talinder went for a sweep and was beaten all ends up, leading to a epic bottle of a runchase by India.
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