To end their opening One-Day International against India in a thrilling draw, Sri Lanka pulled off a spectacular comeback. This was only the second ODI draw between the two sides (the first occurred in 2012 during the Commonwealth Bank Series), and it was also India’s tenth consecutive ODI in which the team finished in a tie.
With eight wickets down, the hosts finished with a modest total of 230, but they were led by Dunith Wellalage, who scored his highest ODI score of 67* off 65 deliveries. Prior to this, Pathum Nissanka had made a valuable contribution with his 14th ODI half-century. All six bowlers used, with the exception of Shubman Gill, took at least one wicket and were instrumental in keeping the Sri Lankan batsmen at bay.
During the powerplay in the run-chase, Rohit Sharma showed an aggressive intent by igniting the innings with a furious attack. Still, India suffered a brief but dramatic collapse after he was dismissed for a strong 58. KL Rahul and Axar Patel at the crease helped to slightly stabilise the situation, but a further twist developed when neither player could last to the finish and was removed. As a result of the Lankan spinners’ oppressive spell, which prevented the Indian hitters from scoring, the game ended with the scores level.
Lankan batters falter once more
Sri Lankan hitters have a history of collapsing like a house of cards, and this game was no different. In this case, the only difference was that they collapsed throughout the first half of their innings. They fell to four wickets in 10.3 overs after being 46/1 in the 13th over, putting them in danger once more.
Axar weaves a web with Kuldeep.
The combination of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav was what effectively trapped the Sri Lankan batsmen and prevented them from using their entire arsenal of strokes. Combined, they took three wickets at an expense of just 33 runs apiece. They successfully applied the brakes on the scoring rate, limiting the opponent to only six boundaries in their 120 deliveries, demonstrating their precise control.
The rest of the batting order crumbles, but Rohit’s effortless grace remains.
With seven boundaries and three sixes, Rohit Sharma looked like he was playing in another league. He looked really comfortable at the crease, giving the impression that his brilliant T20I form from the World Cup had carried over. But except from Rohit, nobody else could settle into a rhythm as they battled the turn produced by the Lankan bowlers.
Also Read: In the first ODI against Sri Lanka, Rohit Sharma scores 58, matching Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record
This demonstrated both the strain placed on them and the other Indian batters’ inability to adjust to the circumstances.
Sri Lankan skipper, Charith Asalanka said
I did (believe we could defend the total), but we should have done a bit more well to restrict them under 230. In the afternoon, it turned more. Under lights, it became easier to bat. (On bowling himself) The left-hander came in to bat and I thought I could bowl as it spun a lot. I am happy about the the energy in the field and the way the boys played in the second half. Dunith’s knock and Nissanka batted extremely well.
Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma said
The scores are gettable, it’s just that you have to bat well to get that score. We batted well in patches. There was no consistent momentum through the game for us. We started really well with the bat but we knew the game will start after 10 overs once the spinners come in to bowl.
We had the upper hand to start with, then we lost a couple of wickets and fell behind the game. With the partnership that KL and Axar had, we again came back into the game pretty well. In the end, little disappointing, 14 balls, 1 run to get. These things happen. Sri Lanka played well. In the end, it was a fair result.
It (pitch) remained the same. There was bite in the first 25 overs when we bowled and it was the same for them as well. As the game went on, the seam wore off for both teams and it was a bit easier to bat. It’s not where you can just come and play your shots and get runs. You have to apply yourself and dig in really well to get that score. Proud of the way how we fought till the end. The game shifted towards both teams at different times. It was important to hold the nerve and stay in the game. We should have got that one run.
Player of the Match, Dunith Wellalage said
I came with a plan. The wicket was turning. Spinners bowled really well, I wanted to put their bowlers under pressure. Me and Janith Liyanage wanted to put some partnership. After that, Wanindu Hasaranga came and we had a good partnership. The wicket was slow. We planned to score 220. Wicket was a little bit better during the second innings. Our skipper and Wanindu Hasaranga changed the game. We played a good match today.
India
