1st ODI
Dunith Wellalage’s fifty has propelled Sri Lanka to a total of 230 Runs

Sri Lanka scored 230/8 in 50 overs vs India.
Dunith Wellalage’s maiden ODI fifty helped Sri Lanka reach 230/8 in the opening ODI against India in Colombo.
Wellalage came to the crease with the hosts in deep trouble, having lost half the side for just 101 runs.
The lower order rallied around the youngster, lifting Sri Lanka out of trouble to post a fighting total.
Mohammed Siraj, who tormented Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final last year, struck early for India once again after the hosts opted to bat.
Avishka Fernando got a leading edge that traveled all the way to third man.
While Sri Lanka found themselves on the backfoot early, Pathum Nissanka collected a few boundaries to get them going.
India then made a double change by introducing Axar Patel and Shivam Dube, who made a decent start by keeping the runs down.
That phase led to another breakthrough as the struggling Kusal Mendis was trapped leg-before-wicket by Dube for his maiden wicket in the format.
With the run rate already low, Sri Lanka faced another challenge with the introduction of Kuldeep Yadav into the attack.
Things went from bad to worse as the home side lost Sadeera Samarawickrama to Axar.
Washington Sundar made an erratic start by conceding 18 in his first two overs, much to Sri Lanka’s delight, but Kuldeep struck at the other end to open his account.
Nissanka, who has had an excellent year in the format, managed to bring up his half-century around the halfway mark, and Sri Lanka pinned their hopes on him for the second half of the innings.
However, India ensured that wasn’t the case as Washington staged a good comeback by getting rid of the well-set opener.
By the end of the 27th over, the home side were not only five down but their run rate was less than 4.
Wellalage then joined forces with Janith Liyanage, who broke the shackles with a six off Shubman Gill, who was handed just a single over.
While Axar broke the promising stand, Wellalage displayed great composure and rotated the strike effectively.
He found decent support from the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga and Akila Dananjaya, who chipped in with vital boundaries.
In the process, he brought up a crucial half-century before smashing a few boundaries in the final two overs to give the bowlers something to defend.
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