[Watch] Axar Patel sends back Sadeera Samarawickrama cheaply during India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI

Indian left-arm spinner Axar Patel got his first wicket of the ongoing ODI game against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Friday (August 2) in the form of Sadeera Samarawickrama. The right-hander was dismissed for just eight runs off 18 deliveries.

There was enough grip in the surface to keep Axar interested and the ball just held up from a good length. Samarawickrama was a bit early into his check drive as the ball ballooned towards Shubman Gill at short covers.

Here's a video of the dismissal:

Samarawickrama couldn't believe how the ball held in the pitch and had a look at the 22-yard strip before making the long walk back to the pavilion.

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Sri Lanka need a huge partnership after India deliver crucial blows

India have made a great start with the ball despite losing the toss and being asked to bowl first. Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh initially were bang on the money with their line and length and also got help from the overcast conditions. Avishka Fernando perished off Siraj's bowling early on, caught at short third man.

Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis then weathered the storm and it was time for the likes of Axar Patel and Shivam Dube to perform their roles. Dube delivered a great nut to trap Mendis in front and break an important partnership.

Samarawickrama seemed to be itching to play a shot as the dot deliveries seemed to be adding up the pressure on him. However, his one loose shot off Axar's bowling proved to be too costly as Shubman Gill completed a simple catch at short covers.

Things have gone from bad to worse for the Lankans as they have also lost their captain Charith Asalanka off Kuldeep Yadav's bowling at the time of writing. Sri Lanka will need Nissanka to score big and someone will need to bat alongside him to get them to a competitive score.

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