The Indian camp was left shocked after missing a chance to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.
Wanindu Hasaranga (3/58), Charith Asalanka (3/30) and Dunith Wellalage (2/39) spun a web around the Indian batters and skittled them out for 230 in 47.5 overs. As a result, India and Sri Lanka played out a thrilling tie only for the second time in their ODI history.
During the chase, the visitors got off to a fantastic start thanks to Rohit Sharma’s blazing knock at the top. The Indian captain took the Sri Lankan attack to the cleaners as he slammed 58 off 47 balls with seven boundaries and three sixes.
However, India lost the plot after Rohit’s dismissal. The likes of Virat Kohli (24) and Shreyas Iyer (23) got starts but failed to kick on.
While KL Rahul (31) and Axar Patel (33) batted sensibly and forged a 57-run stand, Wanindu Hasaranga dismissed the former in the 40th over to give the hosts a sniff. Axar also fell in the next over, followed by the cheap dismissal of Kuldeep Yadav (2).
India were struggling at 211/8 when Shivam Dube produced a gem of a cameo to level the score with 15 deliveries remaining in the innings.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir and star batter Virat Kohli, who were seated together in the Indian dressing room, couldn't keep calm when Dube smashed Asalanka for a boundary to level the score.
Kohli was so thrilled that he almost got up from his seat applauding the effort from the left-hander, before patting Gambhir's back, who in turn smiled.
However, things took a drastic turn as Asalanka trapped Dube LBW in the next ball. India’s hopes were still alive when No. 11 Arshdeep Singh walked out to bat.
Gambhir and Kohli were both up from their seats while other members in the dugout were ready to run into the ground to celebrate the successful chase. But Arshdeep decided to go for a big heave and was declared LBW, leaving the match tied.
As Arshdeep opted for a review, the cameras panned towards Gambhir and Kohli, who appeared to be in sheer disbelief. There were three reds on the HawkEye as the ball crashed into the leg stump.
While Sri Lankan players rejoiced the result, the Indian camp was left shocked after missing a chance to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.
Speaking after the game, India skipper Rohit Sharma mentioned that they played well in patches but should’ve scored the remaining one run.
“The scores are gettable, it's just that you have to bat well to get that score. 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,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“We had the upper hand to start with, then we lost a couple of wickets and fell behind the game. With the partnership that KL and Axar had, we again came back into the game pretty well. 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,” he added.