In a spectacular turn of events during the opening ODI in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s spin quartet stunned India to force a dramatic tie. With India heavily favored to take a 1-0 lead after being set a modest 231 to win, the game seemed all but decided. Nonetheless, Sri Lanka turned the tables, thanks to the concerted efforts of their spinners—Dunith Wellage, Akila Dananjaya, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Charith Asalanka—who collectively ensured that the island nation avoided defeat for the first time since India’s arrival a week ago.
India, led by the dynamic Rohit Sharma, got off to an explosive start, appearing to brush aside any notions of a difficult chase. Sharma hit a six and a four in the very first over, setting the tone for what many expected to be a straightforward innings. Shubman Gill soon joined the onslaught, finding the boundary consistently. In just four overs, the Indian openers had demolished the Sri Lankan pace attack, posting 40 runs on the scoreboard.
In a desperate bid to halt the runaway Indian innings, the Sri Lankan captain introduced spin as early as the fifth over. While Sharma greeted this approach by hitting two boundaries in Wellage’s first over, the spinner bounced back with aplomb. Wellage managed to bowl 12 consecutive dot balls to Gill, mounting pressure that eventually led to Gill’s dismissal when he tried to break free. Wellage’s spell further turned crucial when Rohit Sharma was trapped lbw while attempting a sweep in his next over.
The match took on a new hue when Washington Sundar was surprisingly promoted up the order. However, the ploy backfired as Sundar could only manage a single-digit score before returning to the pavilion. India’s middle-order pair, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, then sought to stabilize the innings. Iyer made a brisk start but soon perished as Hasaranga claimed the crucial wicket of Kohli, immediately followed by Iyer’s dismissal in the next over as his stumps were rearranged.
By this point, although the required run rate wasn’t a concern, India faced a daunting task.
. With almost 100 runs still needed, only KL Rahul, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube were left among the recognized batters. Rahul and Axar managed to calm the situation with a composed half-century stand, yet Sri Lanka sensed that only a couple of wickets would swing the game back in their favor. Hasaranga provided that opening by dismissing Rahul, and moments later, Patel too was sent back to the pavilion.
The responsibility of closing out the match fell to Dube, who had to navigate through a tense endgame with the tail-enders. Dube did his best, managing to clear the ropes a couple of times and hitting a crucial boundary to bring India level with Sri Lanka. However, in yet another twist, Asalanka trapped both Dube and Arshdeep lbw on consecutive deliveries, sealing a breathtaking tie.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka managed to drag themselves to a total of 230/8, courtesy of a fighting half-century from Dunith Wellage. After being reduced to 101/5 by the 27th over of their innings, a decent score seemed an improbable dream. Mohammed Siraj had removed Avishka Fernando early, but Pathum Nissanka kept the scoreboard ticking with boundaries during the powerplay.
Despite a slow start where Kusal Mendis failed to impress before falling lbw to Dube, Nissanka’s persistence offered hope. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka continuously lost wickets, and Nissanka’s departure right after he crossed his fifty added to their woes. Desperation for a partnership and an increased run rate gripped the Sri Lankan camp as they struggled to score at more than four an over.
Janith Liyanagae and Wellage finally managed to steady the faltering innings, although Axar Patel soon broke their partnership. Wellage continued his vital role, forming useful stands with Hasaranga and Dananjaya to ensure Sri Lanka did not collapse entirely. His resilient innings culminated in a maiden fifty in ODI cricket, leading Sri Lanka to a respectable total of 230, just enough to force a thrilling tie.
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)