Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka took two consecutive wickets, leading to a tie in the opening One-day International against India on Friday.
With India needing just five runs from 18 balls to reach the target of 231 at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, Asalanka bowled the 48th over. He trapped Shivam Dube lbw for 25 as the ninth wicket, then dismissed Arshdeep Singh, bowling out India for 230, matching Sri Lanka’s 230-8.
As there was no Super Over, the match ended in a tie—the second tie between these teams in ODI history. Both teams remain level as they head into the second match of the three-match series.
“We felt 230 was enough, but we could have restricted them further,” said Asalanka. “The wicket turned more in the afternoon, and batting became easier under lights.”
Dunith Wellalage impressed with an unbeaten 67 in Sri Lanka’s innings and took two key wickets, including that of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, who scored 58. Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and Asalanka took three wickets each, disrupting India’s batting lineup.
KL Rahul and Axar Patel tried to stabilize the chase with a sixth-wicket partnership of 57 runs, but their departure caused India’s collapse. Shivam Dube’s two sixes in his 24-ball innings were not enough to secure the win.
Returning players Sharma and Virat Kohli, who made 24, couldn’t prevent the tie despite joining the ODI squad after India’s T20 series sweep.
“Scores like these are achievable, but you have to bat well,” said Asalanka. “We started well but lost momentum with spin.”
Sri Lanka, having struggled with batting collapses in the T20 series, found themselves in trouble again after losing half their side by the 27th over. Wellalage’s partnerships, including a 46-run stand with Akila Dananjaya, helped the team post 230.
The second ODI will be played on Sunday at the same venue.
