India vs Sri Lanka Highlights: 3 moments that generated buzz among fans in 1st ODI ft. Charith Asalanka
India and Sri Lanka battled it out in the first ODI of their three-match series at R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, August 2. The match proved to be a thrilling contest, finishing in a tie with both sides scoring 230.
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first. They were off to a shaky start, with opener Avishka Fernando falling to Mohammed Siraj in the third over. Pathum Nissanka showed his class, notching up a fine half-century.
The opening batter scored 56 runs before getting out to Washington Sundar. Sri Lanka's batting collapses were one of the biggest talking points from the recently concluded T20I series between the two Asian sides. However, it was a different story this time around, with their lower middle order keeping them in the hunt.
21-year-old Dunith Wellalage stole the show, countering the Indian bowlers with great aplomb. He slammed his maiden ODI fifty, remaining unbeaten on 67.
Wanindu Hasaranga also chipped in with a crucial 24-run knock towards the back end of the innings. Sri Lanka registered 230/8 after 50 overs. Axar Patel was the pick of the Indian bowlers, recording impressive figures of 10-0-33-2.
Team India skipper Rohit Sharma kicked off the run chase with an authoritative six off Asitha Fernando's bowling in the second ball of the innings. Sharma set the tone by scoring 58 runs in 47 deliveries.
While the likes of Axar Patel (33), KL Rahul (31), Virat Kohli (24), and Shreyas Iyer (23) got off to decent starts, they failed to convert them into big scores. The visitors were reeling at 197/7 at one stage.
Shivam Dube helped swing the pendulum in India's favor with an impactful 25-run knock. He struck a four off Charith Asalanka's bowling in the 48th over to level the scores.
India required just a single run to get over the line and had two wickets in hand at that stage. Asalanka claimed back-to-back wickets, dismissing Dube and Arshdeep Singh off successive balls to help his team avoid defeat as India were bundled out for 230.
Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka claimed three wickets apiece, while Dunith Wellalage bagged two scalps. Wellalage was named the Player of the Match for his brilliant all-round performance.
Here, we take a look at three moments from the IND vs SL 1st ODI that generated buzz among the fans.
#1 Asitha Fernando's peach of a delivery to get the better of Shreyas Iyer
Team India's middle order lynchpin Shreyas Iyer looked well set at the crease. He formed a 43-run partnership alongside Virat Kohli for the fourth wicket to steady the ship for the touring party.
However, Iyer's promising knock ended in the 25th over. He walked back after scoring 23 runs off as many balls. The right-handed batter's knock ended courtesy of a snorter from Asitha Fernando.
The Sri Lankan pacer hit the good length mark outside the off stump. Iyer tried to place the ball towards the off-side but was stuck at the crease. He was undone by the inward movement, and the ball ended up crashing onto the stumps.
#2 Janith Liyanage's brain fade moment while batting
Sri Lanka's Janith Liyanage's dismissal in the ODI series opener caught the attention of many fans. In the 35th over, he stepped out of the crease, attempting to play a big shot against left-arm spinner Axar Patel.
However, he failed to get any connection. The ball hit wicketkeeper KL Rahul and went into the hands of Rohit Sharma, who was stationed at slip. Sharma looked confident in his appeal.
Liyanage started walking towards the pavilion. Umpire Joel Wilson raised his finger after seeing the batter's reaction. Interestingly, replays showed there was no spike on the ultra edge when the ball was near the bat and that the deflection was because of the extra bit of turn.
#3 Charith Asalanka's twin strikes to deny India a win
Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka denied India a victory with his bowling exploits in the 48th over. There were smiles in the Indian dressing room after Shivam Dube's four on the third ball to level the scores.
However, Asalanka had other plans. Dube was out LBW on the fourth ball of the over while trying to defend. The on-field umpire had adjudged it not out, but Sri Lanka opted for a review, and the decision was overturned.
Arshdeep Singh was India's last batter, and the side required one run to win from 14 balls. Arshdeep was out for a golden duck while trying to go for a glory shot. He was out LBW after failing to get any connection on an attempted slogsweep.