Indian Batters Sans Rohit Sharma Flounder as Sri Lanka Earn a Tie in First ODI

Skipper Rohit Sharma played on a different level compared to his colleagues, who struggled against quality spin bowling as Sri Lanka managed to secure a tie against India in a low-scoring but thrilling opening ODI in Colombo on Friday. Chasing 231, Rohit smashed 58 off 47 balls on a difficult pitch with variable bounce, bringing his team to 71 in 10 overs. However, the rest of the Indian batters faltered against Sri Lanka’s spinners, with skipper Charith Asalanka taking crucial wickets in the 44th tie in ODI history.

When Shivam Dube (25) hit two sixes and a boundary to tie the scores, it seemed like Sri Lanka would face another defeat, but Asalanka stepped up to earn a psychological win for the home team.

Rohit looked in great form during his half-century, but the Indian middle-order struggled against the spinners. After the Indian bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 230 for 8, Rohit’s 58 gave India a strong start. However, Sri Lanka’s spinners, led by Wanindu Hasaranga (3/58 in 10 overs), Akila Dananjaya (1/40 in 10 overs), Dunith Wellalage (2/39 in 8 overs), and Asalanka (3/30 in 8.5 overs), stifled the run flow and took key wickets.

While Rohit made batting look easy, KL Rahul (31 off 43 balls) played a cautious game that did not help the team’s cause. By the time he was dismissed, he had failed to secure a decisive turnaround. Virat Kohli (23), Shreyas Iyer (24), and Axar Patel (33) all got starts but couldn’t capitalize.

Rohit began with an 88-meter six off Asitha Fernando and continued to dominate, while Shubman Gill (16) struggled at the other end. Rohit’s dismissal, leg-before to Dananjaya, changed the game’s dynamics, as the pitch began to assist the spinners more.

Kohli was trapped leg-before by a skidding delivery, and Washington Sundar (5) fell to a fired-in ball from Dananjaya. Iyer looked promising but was bowled by an in-cutter from Fernando.

Earlier, fifties from Pathum Nissanka and Dunith Wellalage helped Sri Lanka to a competitive score. Nissanka (56 off 75 balls with nine fours) displayed concentration, while Wellalage (67 not out off 65 balls with seven fours and two sixes) showed confidence on a turning pitch after Asalanka chose to bat first.

Sri Lanka had a shaky start with Mohammed Siraj dismissing Avishka Fernando, but Nissanka and Kusal Mendis (14) added 39 runs for the second wicket. However, the Sri Lankan innings faltered again, with Mendis falling leg-before to Shivam Dube, who returned to one-day cricket after five years.

The Lankan innings collapsed from 46 for two to 101 for five by the 27th over. Wellalage impressed with his back-foot punches and innovative shots, bringing up his maiden ODI fifty in 59 balls and helping his side surpass the 200-run mark.