1st ODI
Dunith Wellalage and spinners has helped Sri Lanka to achieve a thrilling tie against India in the 1st ODI

Sri Lanka scored 230/8 in 50 overs, where as India scored 230 in 47.5 overs.
So, finally the match got tied between India and Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s spin quartet stunned India in the opening ODI in Colombo, forcing a thrilling tie.
India were firm favorites to take a 1-0 lead after being set a modest 231 to win, a status further enhanced by a blistering opening stand.
However, Dunith Wellalage and Akila Dananjaya led a fightback that was carried deeper into the chase by Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka, helping the island nation avoid defeat for the first time since India’s arrival a week ago.
Led by a marauding Rohit Sharma, India got off to a flying start, looking to make a mockery of the chase.
Despite not making clean connections, Rohit managed a six and a four in the very first over, signaling his intentions.
Shubman Gill joined the act with boundaries in the next two overs.
Debutant Mohamed Shiraz faced Rohit’s wrath as the Indian captain smashed him for two fours followed by a six, with India knocking off 40 runs in just the first four overs.
This forced the Sri Lankan captain to turn to spin as early as the fifth over.
The move didn’t immediately stop Rohit, who welcomed Wellalage with two fours in his opening over, although one was streaky.
While Rohit reached another fifty in ODIs, India’s run rate finally dipped when Wellalage bowled 12 consecutive dot balls to Gill, culminating in Gill’s dismissal as he attempted to break free.
Wellalage’s evening became more eventful when Rohit failed to connect a sweep and was trapped lbw in his next over.
India surprised by promoting Washington Sundar up the order, but Sri Lanka quickly turned things around by dismissing the all-rounder for a single-digit score.
Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer briefly halted Sri Lanka’s progress, with Iyer making a brisk start.
Kohli hit successive boundaries off Wellalage to put India back on track before Sri Lanka fought back.
Hasaranga claimed the crucial wicket of Kohli, and in the next over, Shreyas had his stumps rearranged.
Though the required run rate wasn’t an issue, India still faced a daunting task needing almost 100 runs with only KL Rahul, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube left among recognized batters.
Rahul and Axar steadied things for India with a watchful half-century stand, but Sri Lanka remained a wicket or two away from storming back.
They found an opening when Hasaranga dismissed the resolute Rahul, followed by Axar’s wicket in the next over.
The onus then fell on Dube to finish the job alongside the tail.
India endured a nervy end, with Dube clearing the ropes twice and hitting a boundary to draw level.
However, needing just one run, Dube and Arshdeep were trapped lbw by Asalanka off successive deliveries, resulting in a thrilling tie.
Earlier, Sri Lanka managed to post 230/8, thanks to a fighting half-century from Wellalage.
The youngster joined forces with the lower order after Sri Lanka were reduced to 101/5 by the 27th over.
Mohammed Siraj struck early, removing Avishka Fernando, but Pathum Nissanka kept finding boundaries in the powerplay.
The run rate remained below par due to Kusal Mendis’ struggles, which ended when Dube trapped him lbw for his first wicket in the format.
Despite Nissanka’s resilience, the hosts kept losing wickets.
Contributions from Sadeera Samarawickrama and Asalanka were insignificant, and Nissanka’s departure after his fifty worsened their plight.
Sri Lanka desperately needed a partnership and a run rate boost, scoring at less than four an over.
Janith Liyanagae and Wellalage steadied the innings before Axar broke their flourishing partnership.
Wellalage then forged useful stands with Hasaranga and Dananjaya, ensuring Sri Lanka didn’t cave in.
He brought up his maiden ODI fifty, helping his side finish with 230, a total just enough to avoid defeat.
Leave a Reply