Shivam Dube and Arshdeep Singh were dismissed by Charith Asalanka off consecutive deliveries with India just one run away from victory as the first ODI encounter against Sri Lanka ended in a tie.
Chasing a target of 231, India looked all set to clinch the victory with 1 run to win from 15 balls. On the third ball of the 48th over, Dube slammed Asalanka for a boundary and it prompted a huge celebration from Virat Kohli and head coach Gautam Gambhir in the dressing room. However, things quickly changed as Dube was dismissed LBW on the very next ball and India had just one wicket remaining.
Needing 1 run from 14 balls to clinch the win, all hopes were not lost for India and Arshdeep Singh walked in as the last batter. Kohli and Gambhir were on their feet in anticipation of the win but Arshdeep was also dismissed for a golden duck after he went for a slog sweep and was adjudged LBW by the umpire.
Chasing, skipper Rohit Sharma made 58 off 47 balls, while Axar Patel (33) and KL Rahul (31) also chipped in with contributions but couldn't finish off the game.
Charith Asalanka (3/30) and Wanindu Hasaranga (3/58) were the pick of the bowlers for the hosts.
Dunith Wellalage, the Player of the Match: "The wicket was helping spin, so I wanted to put them under pressure. Me and Liyanage wanted to put on a partnership, and then had a good partnership with Hasaranga. The wicket was slow, we planned to score about 220. Wicket was a bit better in the second innings. Our skipper and Hasaranga changed the game."
Rohit Sharma, India captain: "The scores are gettable, you have to bat well to get that. We batted well in patches, there was no consistent momentum. We started well but knew the game would start once spin comes on. We lost a few wickets and fell behind. Came back through the stand between Axar and Rahul. Disappointed to not get 1 run with 14 balls, but won't read too much. The bite was there at the start and then the ball became softer as the seam wore off. It was not a game where you can play your shots, had to apply yourself and dig in. Proud of how we fought, was important to hold our nerve"
Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka captain: "We felt 230 was enough, should have done better to restrict them further. Not easy to bowl, in the afternoon it turned a bit more. When the lights came on, it came easier onto the bat. [On bowling himself] The left-hander came in, and thought I can bowl to them because it spun a lot. I am happy about the energy in the field and the way boys played in the second half, especially Dunith's knock and Nissanka batted well."
Chasing a target of 231, India looked all set to clinch the victory with 1 run to win from 15 balls. On the third ball of the 48th over, Dube slammed Asalanka for a boundary and it prompted a huge celebration from Virat Kohli and head coach Gautam Gambhir in the dressing room. However, things quickly changed as Dube was dismissed LBW on the very next ball and India had just one wicket remaining.
Needing 1 run from 14 balls to clinch the win, all hopes were not lost for India and Arshdeep Singh walked in as the last batter. Kohli and Gambhir were on their feet in anticipation of the win but Arshdeep was also dismissed for a golden duck after he went for a slog sweep and was adjudged LBW by the umpire.
"The score was gettable, just that you had to bat well to get there," Rohit said in the post-match presentation.
"We batted well in patches. Disappointed to not get 1 run with 14 balls, but won't read [into it] too much. The bite was there at the start and then the ball became softer as the seam wore off.
"It was not a game where you can play your shots, [you] had to apply yourself and dig in. Proud of how we fought, it was important to hold our nerve. But we should have got that one run."
Coming off a 0-3 loss in the T20I series, where the final game was tied too before India won the Super Over, Sri Lanka showed promising signs with bat and ball to keep themselves in the game.
Chasing, skipper Rohit Sharma made 58 off 47 balls, while Axar Patel (33) and KL Rahul (31) also chipped in with contributions but couldn't finish off the game.
Charith Asalanka (3/30) and Wanindu Hasaranga (3/58) were the pick of the bowlers for the hosts.
Dunith Wellalage, the Player of the Match: "The wicket was helping spin, so I wanted to put them under pressure. Me and Liyanage wanted to put on a partnership, and then had a good partnership with Hasaranga. The wicket was slow, we planned to score about 220. Wicket was a bit better in the second innings. Our skipper and Hasaranga changed the game."
Rohit Sharma, India captain: "The scores are gettable, you have to bat well to get that. We batted well in patches, there was no consistent momentum. We started well but knew the game would start once spin comes on. We lost a few wickets and fell behind. Came back through the stand between Axar and Rahul. Disappointed to not get 1 run with 14 balls, but won't read too much. The bite was there at the start and then the ball became softer as the seam wore off. It was not a game where you can play your shots, had to apply yourself and dig in. Proud of how we fought, was important to hold our nerve"
Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka captain: "We felt 230 was enough, should have done better to restrict them further. Not easy to bowl, in the afternoon it turned a bit more. When the lights came on, it came easier onto the bat. [On bowling himself] The left-hander came in, and thought I can bowl to them because it spun a lot. I am happy about the energy in the field and the way boys played in the second half, especially Dunith's knock and Nissanka batted well."
