Who says a stalemate in sports is boring? A tie in an ODI (One Day International) is an extremely rare occurrence, a result that has been witnessed in only 44 of the 4752 matches played, or just 0.92 percent of the games. More common sights include penguins wandering the streets of Mumbai or Sri Lankan bus drivers consoling the brokenhearted with Kumar Sanu love tracks. However, on Friday night, Colombo was host to that rare and thrilling stalemate in cricket.
The stage was set at the R Premadasa Stadium for a game that unveiled more twists and turns than a gripping thriller novel. The tempo of the match was largely dictated by spin bowlers, adding layers of complexity. It was, however, two non-turning deliveries at the game’s climax that ultimately led to the dramatic end: a tie—remarkably the first in 149 ODIs held at this historic venue.
Sri Lanka’s chances of sealing a win were diminishing rapidly only minutes before the final outcome. Their fate seemed sealed for yet another loss, as familiar disappointment loomed large over the team and its loyal fans. Over the past week, Sri Lanka had repeatedly seen victory snatched away at the final moments, often by an opportunistic Indian side. The script was comfortingly predictable but no less painful for the hosts.
As the final overs approached, Charith Asalanka—Sri Lankan captain and the frontman of their recent disappointments—found himself steering his team toward that elusive victory. In a surprising turn of events, he beat Indian bowler Shivam Dube with a delivery that hit him on the pads. Uncertain but desperate, Sri Lankan players went up in appeal. It wasn’t compelling enough for the on-field umpire, forcing them to opt for a review.
Out! The review turned the tides temporarily in Sri Lanka’s favor. The mandate for the last Indian batter, Arshdeep Singh, was crystal clear: if a hittable ball came his way, he was to swing at it. Arshdeep obliged, but as another delivery from Asalanka fell on the middle stump line, he swung and missed, getting struck on his pads. This time, the on-field umpire sided with Sri Lanka, and India had to review. But it was in vain.
Out, again! Although this sequence of events didn’t hand Sri Lanka a win, it did break their losing streak and provided a glimmer of hope. It was a confirmation that they could reclaim control in tight situations, a skill that had seemingly evaded them in recent games. For India, particularly for some players, it was a missed chance.
Three-quarters into the match, Sri Lanka had reached a peak from which they had often stumbled during the T20I series.
. But this time, their bowlers—especially the spinners—held their dominion. Conversely, for India, this critical juncture was manned by KL Rahul and Axar Patel, two players auditioning for permanent spots in the Indian ODI team.
The task for Rahul and Axar at the 25th over was arduous: 99 runs needed off 150 balls, with the momentum favoring Sri Lanka on a turning pitch. Shivam Dube, another fringe player, was the only recognized backup. This tense scenario played out before 15,000 fervent fans who rallied behind Sanath Jayasuriya’s urgent calls for support, only to be slowly quieted as Rahul and Axar turned the tide with a steady half-century partnership. They did have moments of fortune, including dropped catches, but their patience and smart rotation of the strike kept India in the game.
As the partnership flourished, they managed to put away poor deliveries for boundaries, swinging momentum back India’s way. However, just when it seemed like India might seal the victory, successive overs witnessed Wanindu Hasaranga and Asalanka dismiss the set batters. The tide turned once more as Sri Lanka sensed another opportunity for victory.
Dube, with minimal batting support left, found himself in a critical position. Kuldeep Yadav offered some resilience, while Siraj and Arshdeep awaited their turns. Interestingly, Dube’s prowess against spin made Sri Lanka’s plan a double-edged sword. While other Indian batters had cautiously navigated the spin, Dube’s confident strides and powerful sweeps brought India level with Sri Lanka’s score.
Yet, in a fashion similar to Rahul and Axar, Dube couldn’t guide India past the finish line. In a series of debatable decisions, India allowed Siraj to face the challenge of Sri Lanka’s premier spinner, Hasaranga, longer than ideal. Though there was no pressing run rate to chase, the strategy of farming the strike was ignored. Thankfully, Siraj managed to hold his own, allowing Dube the opportunity to resume in the following over.
The tie leaves an equivocal footprint on the players’ ongoing audition for key positions. Dube’s role remains backup, while Rahul and Axar vie for first XI spots. Rishabh Pant, seated in the dressing room, and Ravindra Jadeja, likely watching from home, are poised for quick substitutions when necessary. With only five more matches before the 2025 Champions Trophy, clinching a win would have helped solidify these players’ places on the team.
In this remarkable contest, despite fluctuating fortunes and indomitable spirits, no side managed to claim ultimate victory. Instead, India and Sri Lanka jointly unlocked a rare treasure in the world of ODIs: an exhilarating, nail-biting tie.