IND vs SL 2024: 3 players who starred and 2 who flopped in the India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI match ft. Rohit Sharma & Shubman Gill
The first ODI between India and Sri Lanka ended in a tie as the hosts managed to get two wickets off successive deliveries to somehow avoid defeat. Charith Asalanka was the man with the golden arm as his part-time off-spin prevented the Men in Blue from sealing a tense win in the series opener.
Rain was on the forecast for the first ODI, but it stayed away after Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat. Pathum Nissanka and Dunith Wellalage took the home side to a challenging 230, a score that was equaled in the end by India.
On that note, here are three players who starred and two who flopped in the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka.
#5 Star - Rohit Sharma
The 2023 World Cup final was the last time Rohit Sharma had played an ODI for India. He carried on from where he left off in the marquee tournament, smashing a few boundaries in the powerplay to put India ahead of the required rate.
Rohit made his intentions clear off the second ball of the innings as he danced down the track to heave one over mid-wicket. He didn't stop after that, playing an assortment of sweeps, drives, and cuts to give India an excellent start.
With conditions becoming tougher in the middle overs, Rohit's fiery cameo at the top went a long way in India managing to equal Sri Lanka's total.
#4 Flop - Arshdeep Singh
It's harsh to pin the tie on one man, but Arshdeep Singh should have seriously exercised better options off the last ball. With India needing just one run to win, the southpaw tried to heave one over the leg-side, only to miss it completely.
Arshdeep wasn't at his best with his primary skill either. While he sent down a fairly threatening spell in the powerplay, beating the bat on a few occasions, he lost the plot to Wellalage at the death. He conceded 47 runs in the eight overs he bowled, and the only two wickets he picked up were mere consolations at the death.
Among all bowlers with at least four overs in the first ODI, Arshdeep had the second-worst economy rate.
#3 Star - Mohammed Siraj
The figures may not reflect it, but Mohammed Siraj bowled another threatening spell against Sri Lanka. He beat the bat on several occasions in the powerplay and was unlucky not to get more reward for his efforts.
Siraj finished with one scalp to his name and bowled two maidens. He constantly asked questions of the Sri Lankan batters. And in a welcome sight, the fast bowler even held his own while batting lower down the order and played sensible cricket instead of trying to slog the ball.
#2 Flop - Shubman Gill
India's new ODI vice-captain is close to mastering the format, but the first ODI against Sri Lanka saw him turn in a rather insipid display. While Shubman Gill managed to hit a couple of beautiful boundaries through the off-side, he got stuck in a rut after that and couldn't rotate strike against the spinners.
Gill tried to hit one over the leg side but only managed a rather ugly top edge that was caught by Kusal Mendis inside the circle. He also bowled an over that featured plenty of drag-downs and cost a match-defining 14 runs.
#1 Star - Axar Patel
Axar Patel has become one of India's most reliable cricketers in the white-ball formats. In the first ODI against Sri Lanka, he made important contributions with both bat and ball on a pitch that was suited to his skills.
Axar was the pick of the Indian bowlers as he picked up two wickets and conceded only 33 runs. He also chipped in with a handy knock lower down the order, stringing together an important partnership with KL Rahul.