Colombo, August 3 (Udaipur Kiran) : Thanks to the brilliant bowling performance of captain Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka managed to draw the first ODI of the three-match series against India. Chasing a target of 231, India seemed set for victory when Shivam Dube hit a boundary on the third ball of the 48th over to level the score. However, Asalanka took the wickets of Dube on the fourth ball and Arshdeep Singh on the fifth ball, snatching victory away from India.
India, chasing 231, got off to a fast start with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill adding 75 runs for the first wicket in 12.3 overs. Gill was dismissed for 16 by Dunith Wellalage, followed by the dismissal of Rohit Sharma at the score of 80 by Wellalage. Rohit played a brilliant half-century knock, scoring 58 runs off 47 balls, including 7 fours and 3 sixes. Subsequently, Washington Sundar (05), Virat Kohli (24), and Shreyas Iyer (23) were all back in the pavilion with the score at 132.
KL Rahul and Axar Patel then staged a comeback for India with a 57-run partnership for the fifth wicket. At the score of 189, Rahul was dismissed for 31 by Wanindu Hasaranga. At 197, Axar Patel was also caught out for 33 off the bowling of captain Asalanka. At 211, Hasaranga bowled Kuldeep Yadav (02). Shivam Dube then hit two sixes and a four to level the score, but Asalanka’s quick wickets of Dube and Arshdeep Singh led to a draw. Shivam Dube scored 25 runs off 24 balls, including 1 four and 2 sixes, while Mohammad Siraj remained not out on 5.
For Sri Lanka, Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga took 3 wickets each, Dunith Wellalage took 2, and Asitha Fernando and Akila Dananjaya took 1 wicket each.
Sri Lanka Scores 230 in 50 Overs, Half-Centuries by Nissanka and Wellalage
Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, Sri Lanka scored 230 for 8 in 50 overs, thanks to half-centuries by Dunith Wellalage (67 not out) and Pathum Nissanka (56). Other contributions included Janith Liyanage (20), Wanindu Hasaranga (24), and Dhananjaya de Silva (17).
For India, Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel took 2 wickets each, while Mohammad Siraj, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar took 1 wicket each.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
