The first ODI of the three-match series between India and Sri Lanka ended in a tie at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Friday (August 2).

Opting to bat first, the hosts posted 230/8 in their allotted 50 overs on a tricky pitch. Dunith Wellalage was the top scorer with 67 not out off 65 balls, whereas Pathum Nissanka contributed 56 off 75 balls.

Akshar Patel was the pick of the bowlers for India, claiming two wickets by conceding 33 runs in his 10 overs. Arshdeep Singh (2-47 in 8 overs) also returned with a couple of scalps while Kuldeep Yadav (1-33 in 10 overs), Washington Sundar (1-46 in 9 overs), Mohammed Siraj (1-36 in 8 overs) and Shivam Dube (1-19 in 4 overs) picked up one wicket each.

In reply, the visitors got off to a fantastic start thanks to skipper 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.

After Rohit’s dismissal, however, India lost the plot. The likes of Virat Kohli (24) and Shreyas Iyer (23) got starts but failed to kick on.

At 132/5, the game was poised nicely. KL Rahul and Axar batted sensibly and forged a 57-run stand. Just when the match was slipping out of Sri Lanka’s hands, Wanindu Hasaranga dismissed Rahul (31) in the 40th over to give the home side a sniff.

Axar (33) also fell in the next over, followed by the cheap dismissal of Kuldeep Yadav (2). India were struggling at 211/8 and it was then Shivam Dube produced a gem of a cameo to level the score.

Dube was batting on 25 and still has plenty of deliveries left to take India over the line. However, he was trapped in front of the wicket by Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka on the fourth ball of the 48th over.

In the next delivery, Arshdeep Singh went for a big slogsweep but failed to make a connect and was adjudged LBW. As a result, India were bowled out for 230 in 47.5 overs as the match ended in a tie.

Asalanka and Hasaranga starred with the ball for Sri Lanka, taking three wickets each to deny their team a certain defeat. 

Cricket fraternity enjoyed the low-scoring thriller and shared their reactions on social media platform X.

Here are the tweets: