Team India failed to chase down the target of 231 in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Friday (August 2) as the game ended in a tie.
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.
After the match, many fans wondered why the Super Over was not conducted to determine the winner just like how it’s been done in the shortest format.
Notably, the third and final T20I between the two teams ended in a tie last week and India pulled off a comfortable victory over Sri Lanka in the Super Over.
However, the umpires failed to conduct a Super Over in the ODI series opener as per the ICC’s playing conditions for ODIs last updated in December 2023.
The clause 16.3.1.1 of the playing conditions state that the “If the teams’ scores are equal after both innings have been completed (if applicable under DLS – see clause 16.4), then a Super Over shall be played. If the Super Over is a tie, then unless exceptional circumstances arise (see paragraph 25 of Appendix G) subsequent Super Overs shall be played until there is a winner. Should it not be possible to play or to complete the Super Overs needed to determine a winner, the match shall be tied."
The clause clearly states that a Super Over should’ve been take place to find out the winner unless the circumstances or conditions didn’t allow it to be conducted.
After the end of the first ODI, the entire ground was covered which indicates that there may have been rain at the venue. Whether that played a part for not staging the Super Over or the officials forget the clause for a tie breaker, is yet to be known.
Historically, Super Overs have been a rare occurrence in ODIs. It has been conducted when a result has been absolutely necessary and a teams’ progression is at stake for an ICC tournament.
There have been only three Super Overs in the men’s ODI history with the first one between England and New Zealand in the World Cup 2019 final. The second one was between Pakistan and Zimbabwe in 2020 which was a part of the Cricket World Cup Super League. The last one was between West Indies and Netherlands in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier in 2023.
(India Today Inputs)
