Rohit Sharma was a disappointed captain after India’s first ODI against Sri Lanka ended in a tie at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Friday (August 2).
Chasing 231 to win, the visitors got off to a fantastic start thanks to Rohit’s blazing knock at the top. The Indian skipper 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 (31) and Axar (33) batted sensibly, forging a 57-run stand but 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 and then Shivam Dube produced a gem of a cameo to level the score.
Dube was batting on 25 and still had 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 slog sweep but failed to make a connection and was adjudged LBW. As a result, India were bowled out for 230 in 47.5 overs, with the match ending in a tie.
Speaking after the game, Rohit 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.
Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and posted 230/8 in their allotted 50 overs on a spin-friendly track. 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.
Commenting on the playing surface, Rohit said: “It (pitch) remained the same. There was bite in the first 25 overs when we bowled and it was the same for them as well. As the game went on, the seam wore off for both teams and it was a bit easier to bat. It's not where you can just come and play your shots and get runs. You have to apply yourself and dig in really well to get that score.”
“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,” he concluded.
The second ODI of the three-match series will be played in Colombo on Sunday (August 4).
