India and Sri Lanka share spoils after a topsy-turvy ODI series opener

It was a roller-coaster encounter to kickstart the proceedings in the Indian Sri Lanka ODI series as the two teams played out a tie after a full-blown fight in the opening ODI.

Winning the toss, Sri Lanka opted to bat and the Indian bowlers made early headways to leave the hosts rattled.

Mohammed Siraj’s blistering opening spell was the key for the visitors to push back Sri Lanka and to make matters more complicated, he reaped the prized scalp of Avishka Fernando (1) to open the floodgates. The Indian bowlers wasted no time whatsoever to storm through them as Shivam Dube chimed in with the next wicket in the form of Kusal Mendis (14) to open his account in ODIs.

Axar Patel was the next to strike, removing Sadeera Samawickrama (8) to reduce Sri Lanka to 60/3. Wickets kept on tumbling at regular intervals as they lost a couple more in quick succession with Charith Asalanka (14) and Pathum Nissanka (56) heading back to the dugout.

Wobbling at 101/5, Dunith Wellalage took over the reins and steered the Sri Lanka ship to a fighting total with help from Janith Liyanage (20), Wanindu Hasaranga (24) and Akila Dananjaya (17). Wellalage stayed unbeaten for 67, propelling Sri Lanka to 230/8 at the end of 50 overs. Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh were the pick of the Indian bowling lot as they claimed four wickets between them.

Coming out to bat, Rohit Sharma spearheaded the show for Team India with another glistening half-century, clobbering 58 runs off just 47 balls but things went downhill for the visitors as they suddenly entered into a rut with any sight of a messiah.

Shubman Gill (16), Washington Sundar (5) and the captain himself were quick to return to the dugout as India faced trouble in the chase. Virat Kohli (24) and Shreyas Iyer (23) did try and push the ship as much as they could but the duo fell in the span of just two runs as India stuttered at 132/5.

KL Rahul and Axar Patel were the next in line to continue India’s rumble. Rahul scored 31 while Patel garnered 33 to steer India close to 200 but another double whammy saw the visitors crumble. India was within touching distance of a thrilling win, courtesy of Shivam Dube whose warring 25 alongside Mohammed Siraj’s short cameo saw India rack up 230 with a couple of wickets and 15 balls to spare.

Sadly for India, it was the Sri Lanka captain, Charith Asalanka, whose double strike in two consecutive deliveries bundled out the Men in Blue, finishing the game on a high. With no Super Over to follow, India and Sri Lanka shared the spoils. The second ODI is slated to be played tomorrow at the same venue as both the teams will be hopeful of producing the first win of the series.