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NEW DELHI: The first ODI between India and Sri Lanka at Colombo ended in a thrilling tie, highlighting India’s vulnerability against quality spin bowling despite a dominant performance from skipper Rohit Sharma.
Chasing a modest target of 231, India were propelled by Rohit’s blistering 58 off 47 balls. His innings, studded with powerful strokes and aggressive intent, contrasted sharply with the struggles of his teammates against a disciplined Sri Lankan spin attack.
Rohit’s dismissal, adjudged leg-before off Dananjaya, exposed India’s fragility against spin.The pitch, which seemed benign during Rohit’s innings, began to offer turn and variable bounce, troubling the Indian middle order.
KL Rahul (31 off 43 balls), known for his measured approach, struggled to rotate the strike, putting pressure on the incoming batsmen. Virat Kohli (23), Shreyas Iyer (24), and Axar Patel (33) all got starts but failed to convert them into substantial scores.
Sri Lanka’s spinners, led by Wanindu Hasaranga (3/58), Akila Dananjaya (1/40), Dunith Wellalage (2/39), and skipper Charith Asalanka (3/30), bowled with discipline and guile, choking the run flow and picking up wickets at crucial junctures. Asalanka, in particular, turned the tide in Sri Lanka’s favour with two wickets in two balls, pushing India on the back foot.
Earlier, Sri Lanka, opting to bat first, were bolstered by crucial half-centuries from Pathum Nissanka (56) and debutant Dunith Wellalage (67*). Nissanka anchored the innings with a composed knock, while Wellalage displayed maturity and confidence beyond his years, guiding Sri Lanka past the 200-run mark.
Chasing a modest target of 231, India were propelled by Rohit’s blistering 58 off 47 balls. His innings, studded with powerful strokes and aggressive intent, contrasted sharply with the struggles of his teammates against a disciplined Sri Lankan spin attack.
Rohit’s dismissal, adjudged leg-before off Dananjaya, exposed India’s fragility against spin.The pitch, which seemed benign during Rohit’s innings, began to offer turn and variable bounce, troubling the Indian middle order.
KL Rahul (31 off 43 balls), known for his measured approach, struggled to rotate the strike, putting pressure on the incoming batsmen. Virat Kohli (23), Shreyas Iyer (24), and Axar Patel (33) all got starts but failed to convert them into substantial scores.
Sri Lanka’s spinners, led by Wanindu Hasaranga (3/58), Akila Dananjaya (1/40), Dunith Wellalage (2/39), and skipper Charith Asalanka (3/30), bowled with discipline and guile, choking the run flow and picking up wickets at crucial junctures. Asalanka, in particular, turned the tide in Sri Lanka’s favour with two wickets in two balls, pushing India on the back foot.
Earlier, Sri Lanka, opting to bat first, were bolstered by crucial half-centuries from Pathum Nissanka (56) and debutant Dunith Wellalage (67*). Nissanka anchored the innings with a composed knock, while Wellalage displayed maturity and confidence beyond his years, guiding Sri Lanka past the 200-run mark.
The Indian bowlers, despite the eventual tie, performed admirably on a helpful surface. Mohammed Siraj struck early, while Shivam Dube, returning to ODIs after a five-year hiatus, impressed with a wicket. Kuldeep Yadav, though wicketless, bowled economically, keeping the pressure on the Sri Lankan batsmen.
The match, ultimately ending in a tie thanks to late hitting from Shivam Dube, exposed India’s over-reliance on Rohit Sharma and their susceptibility against spin. It served as a timely reminder that despite boasting a formidable batting lineup, India needs to address their vulnerability against spin bowling to achieve consistent success in the ODI format.
