Sri Lanka’s spin quartet shocked India in the opening ODI in Colombo to force a thrilling tie. India were prime favourites to take a 1-0 lead after being set a modest 231 to win the game and that ascendancy was further bolstered by a cracking opening stand. However, Dunith Wellage and Akila Dananjaya spearheaded the fightback which was then carried further deep into the chase by Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka as the island nation managed to avoid defeat for the first time since India arrived on their shores a week ago.
Captaining Sri Lanka for the first time in ODI cricket, it was Asalanka who orchestrated the dramatic result by removing Shivam Dube and No. 11 Arshdeep Singh off consecutive balls on a slow, dry Khettarama turner.
With India needing five off 18 balls with just two wickets in hand, the scales were balanced. Dube was threatening to engage his beastly spin-hitting mode. He had just deposited a legbreak from Wanindu Hasaranga over wide long-on for six. Asalanka had the choice to bring on Asitha Fernando or debutant Mohamed Shiraz, but he shouldered the responsibility himself.
After playing out the first two balls of the 48th over, Dube drilled the third through the covers and tied the scores. Asalanka pinned Dube lbw next ball with a slider from around the wicket for 25 off 24 balls. He was originally given not out, but a successful review from Asalanka overturned the on-field decision and enthralled the crowd. Asalanka then sent Colombo in a state of delirium when he also had Arshdeep lbw for a duck next ball as the tail-ender slogged in agricultural fashion.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 230/8 in 50 overs (Dunith Wellalage 67*, Pathum Nissanka 56; Axar Patel 2/33) tied with India 230 in 47.5 overs (Rohit Sharma 58, Axar Patel 33; Charith Asalanka 3/30)
v
What a dramatic turn of events! 😲
Back-to-back wickets for skipper Asalanka turned the game on its head, with the match tied! 😶🌫️
Watch #SLvIND ODI series LIVE on #SonyLIV 🍿 pic.twitter.com/qwu5rmlZIQ
— Sony LIV (@SonyLIV) August 2, 2024
