"We should have got that 1 run" - Rohit Sharma expresses disappointment after 1st IND vs SL ODI ends in a dramatic tie
Team India skipper Rohit Sharma admitted that he was a little disappointed over his side failing to get over the line in the first ODI against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, August 2. He stated that the Men in Blue should have got that one run needed for victory with 14 balls in hand.
The first ODI between India and Sri Lanka ended in a thrilling tie in what was a low-scoring game on a surface that had enough to encourage spinners from both sides. Batting first after winning the toss, the hosts put up 230-8 on the board. In reply, India were 230-8 after 47.3 overs. However, Charith Asalanka (3-30) trapped Shivam Dube (25) and Arshdeep Singh (0) lbw off consecutive deliveries.
Reflecting on the result, Rohit pointed out that India never got consistent momentum in the game, but conceded that they were in a position to win the contest. Speaking at the post-match presentation, he said (as quoted as saying by Cricbuzz):
"Proud of the way how we fought till the end. The game shifted towards both teams at different times. It was important to hold the nerve and stay in the game. We should have got that one run."
The 37-year-old Indian opener admitted that the score was gettable, but the team needed to bat well for it, which wasn't the case throughout the chase.
"We batted well in patches. There was no consistent momentum through the game for us. We started really well with the bat but we knew the game will start after 10 overs once the spinners come in to bowl," he added.
While Sri Lanka did not have a big score on the board, they kept picking up wickets at crucial intervals. Wanindu Hasaranga and skipper Asalanka finished with three each, while Dunith Wellalage, who had scored 67* with the bat, also chipped in with the wickets of Shubman Gill and Rohit.
"In the end, little disappointing, 14 balls, 1 run to get. These things happen. Sri Lanka played well. In the end, it was a fair result," the Indian skipper opined.
The match on Friday was the second instance of an India-Sri Lanka ODI ending a tie. The two sides previously played out a tie in Adelaide in February 2012.
India lost their way after Rohit Sharma's half-century in the 1st ODI vs Sri Lanka
Chasing 231 in the first ODI against Sri Lanka, India got off to a solid start as Rohit hammered 58 off 47, dominating an opening stand of 75 with Shubman Gill (16 off 35). The Indian skipper was the second wicket to fall, trapped lbw by Wellalage.
Virat Kohli (24), Shreyas Iyer (23), KL Rahul (31), Axar Patel (33) and Dube (25) all got starts, but none of them was there at the end to take India home. India went from 75-0 to 132-5 and then from 189-5 to 230 all out.