Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first in 1st ODI v India.
Sri Lanka’s new captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and chose to bat first. For India, Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, and Virat Kohli are playing their first ODI since the 2023 World Cup final. India opted to go in with three spinners Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, and Akshar Patel.
Shivam Dube was included in the playing XI for his second ODI, with this first one coming in 2019.
Mohammed Siraj got India its first wicket when he had Avishka Fernando for 1 and then spinners ran riot with Axar Patel taking two wickets and Washington Sundar taking one, as they kept the Sri Lankan batters under pressure.
Only Pathum Nissanka withstood the test, scoring 56 in 75 before falling to Sundar. Shivam Dube also took his maiden ODI wicket.
India could’ve had one more wicket, had they been decisive with their DRS decision-making. Rohit Sharma was seen hilariously scolding Washington Sundar as they deliberated about taking the review.
The incident happened on the 5th ball of the 29th over when Washington Sundar got the ball to hit Dunith Wellalage’s pads. Everyone went up in the appeal while the umpire stood unmoved. Sundar was looking at captain Rohit Sharma, who hilarious said that he should tell him if the ball was pitching in line and hitting the stumps instead of asking him.
“What?? You tell me, Merko kya dekh rha hai,” Rohit could be heard on the stump mic.