India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI results

The slow pitch at the Premadasa Stadium was reminiscent of the 90s, offering seam movement early on and quick runs but becoming increasingly challenging as the spinners took over. Batsmen had to rely on singles and twos, facing a tough battle reminiscent of past conditions. After a gruelling seven-and-a-half-hour contest, the first ODI ended in a tie, with neither team's batting particularly outstanding.

Chasing 231 on a pitch that worsened under lights, India’s prospects hinged on Rohit Sharma’s aggressive start. His 47-ball 58, featuring seven boundaries and three sixes, set a solid foundation, but as the pitch deteriorated, Sri Lanka's spinners took control. Despite India’s strong start, the match saw repeated shifts in momentum. Rohit’s departure left India in a precarious position, and although Shivam Dube’s late boundary seemed to secure victory, Charith Asalanka’s successive wickets of Dube and Arshdeep Singh sealed the tie.

Indian batsmen, visibly rusty after a six-month hiatus, struggled to capitalise on their start. Apart from Rohit’s innings and a 57-run stand between KL Rahul and Axar Patel, the rest faltered against Sri Lanka’s spinners, who claimed 9 of the 10 wickets to fall.

Sri Lanka’s inexperienced pace attack was overshadowed by their effective spinners—Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, and Akila Dananjaya. They exploited the soft ball, challenging India’s batsmen to adjust. Rahul and Axar seemed to have a handle on the situation, accumulating runs steadily, but Rahul’s sweep shot and Axar’s dismissal brought the game back to the balance.

India's bowlers had a chance to clinch victory when Sri Lanka was at 101/5. However, Janith Liyanage’s controversial dismissal and Dunith Wellalage’s early struggles turned into a match-saving innings. Wellalage, who scored an unbeaten 67, anchored crucial partnerships that steadied Sri Lanka’s innings and ensured the tie.

Pathum Nissanka was the only Sri Lankan batsman to show consistent application on the pitch, with his solid performance helping to build the innings after early dismissals. India's spinners—Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar—performed well, with figures of 4 for 112 from 29 overs, but Sri Lanka’s resilience led to a tie that felt like a victory for them.