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Follow UsNissanka fires but Sri Lanka’s batting falters
Pathum Nissanka continued his outstanding run in 2024, notching up yet another fifty, but this was another day where Sri Lanka’s batting faltered as a group. Despite Nissanka’s fifty, the Lankan top and middle order fell like a pack of cards on a turning track, falling to 101/5 after winning the toss and batting.
Dunith Wellalage masterclass leads Sri Lanka’s recovery
Like he did at the same venue a year back, Dunith Wellalage dug Sri Lanka out of a hole to take them to a competitive score. At 101/5, 200 looked like a distant possibility for Sri Lanka, but Wellalage’s otherworldly 67* off 65 took them to 230. He was well supported by Liyanage (20), Hasaranga (24) and Dananjaya (17).
Rohit’s quickfire start puts India on the front foot
Rohit Sharma picked up from where he left in the 2023 World Cup to get India off to a flyer. He smashed the very second ball he faced for six, and kept pummeling the Lankan bowlers to notch up a fifty inside the powerplay. The 54* after 10 overs was Rohit’s second-highest score inside the powerplay in ODIs.
Rahul’s brain fade brings Sri Lanka back into the contest
India were in trouble at 132/5, but the duo of Axar Patel & KL Rahul helped the visitors take control of the match. Off the last 62 balls, they needed just 42 with five wickets in hand. This is when Rahul played an ill-advised slog-sweep off Hasaranga to get dismissed.
Rahul’s dismissal gave Sri Lanka the impetus they needed. They got back into the contest by dismissing both Axar & Kuldeep Yadav in quick succession.
Asalanka magic helps Sri Lanka enforce an epic tie
Just when it looked like Shivam Dube had won it for India, Asalanka’s golden arm helped Sri Lanka enforce an unlikely tie. With India needing 1 off 15 balls and two wickets in hand, Asalanka trapped Dube LBW. The left-hander was given not out but a smart review kept the hosts alive.
And then, an inexplicable slog sweep attempt from Arshdeep ensured that the game ended in a tie.
This was India’s first tie in ODIs since 2018, and their second against Sri Lanka in ODI history.
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