Indian batters choke as Sri Lanka earn a dramatic tie in ODI sequence opener | Cricket Information

NEW DELHI: The primary ODI between India and Sri Lanka at Colombo resulted in an exhilarating tie, highlighting India’s vulnerability in opposition to high quality spin bowling regardless of a dominant efficiency from skipper Rohit Sharma.
Chasing a modest goal of 231, India had been propelled by Rohit’s blistering 58 off 47 balls. His innings, studded with highly effective strokes and aggressive intent, contrasted sharply with the struggles of his teammates in opposition to a disciplined Sri Lankan spin assault.
Rohit’s dismissal, adjudged leg-before off Dananjaya, uncovered India’s fragility in opposition to spin.The pitch, which appeared benign throughout Rohit’s innings, started to supply flip and variable bounce, troubling the Indian center order.
KL Rahul (31 off 43 balls), identified for his measured method, struggled to rotate the strike, placing stress on the incoming batsmen. Virat Kohli (23), Shreyas Iyer (24), and Axar Patel (33) all acquired begins however didn’t 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 self-discipline and guile, choking the run movement and choosing up wickets at essential junctures. Asalanka, particularly, turned the tide in Sri Lanka’s favour with two wickets in two balls, pushing India on the again foot.
Earlier, Sri Lanka, opting to bat first, had been bolstered by essential half-centuries from Pathum Nissanka (56) and debutant Dunith Wellalage (67*). Nissanka anchored the innings with a composed knock, whereas Wellalage displayed maturity and confidence past his years, guiding Sri Lanka previous the 200-run mark.

The Indian bowlers, regardless of the eventual tie, carried out admirably on a useful floor. Mohammed Siraj struck early, whereas Shivam Dube, returning to ODIs after a five-year hiatus, impressed with a wicket. Kuldeep Yadav, although wicketless, bowled economically, holding the stress on the Sri Lankan batsmen.
The match, finally ending in a tie due to late hitting from Shivam Dube, uncovered India’s over-reliance on Rohit Sharma and their susceptibility in opposition to spin. It served as a well timed reminder that regardless of boasting a formidable batting lineup, India wants to deal with their vulnerability in opposition to spin bowling to attain constant success within the ODI format.