In a match that will be remembered for its nail-biting finish, India and Sri Lanka played out a thrilling tie in the Ind vs SL 1st ODI highlight of the three-match series in Colombo on August 2, 2024.
Both teams displayed commendable spirit and resilience, leading to a rare tie, the 44th in ODI history.
In this blog, we explore the Ind vs Sl 1st ODI highlight, key moments and performances that shaped this unforgettable encounter.
Sri Lanka’s Innings
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first in the Ind vs SL 1st ODI, a decision influenced by the slow pitch that favored spinners.
India’s bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh, Mohmmed Siraj, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav, seized the opportunity to exploit these conditions.
Early Struggles and a Steadying Partnership
Sri Lanka’s top order faced immense pressure from India’s disciplined bowling attack. The openers struggled to find their footing, and wickets tumbled at regular intervals.
By the end of the 10th over, Sri Lanka was reeling at 45/3. Indian bowlers, including Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, maintained tight lines, making it difficult for the batsmen to score.
However, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva formed a crucial partnership.
They focused on rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries, which steadied the Sri Lankan innings.
Despite the slow pitch, they worked hard for every run, ensuring Sri Lanka didn’t collapse completely.
Lower Order Contributions and a Competitive Total
Sri Lanka’s lower order, particularly Wellalage and Hasaranga, played pivotal roles in pushing the team to a respectable total.
Wellalage, displaying remarkable temperament and skill, brought up his maiden ODI fifty at a critical juncture.
His innings, filled with smart singles and occasional boundaries, ensured Sri Lanka had a competitive score to defend.
Arshdeep Singh was the standout bowler for India, finishing with figures of 3 for 44. His control and ability to pick up key wickets at crucial moments were instrumental.
Kuldeep Yadav also played a significant role, keeping the batsmen in check and taking vital wickets in the middle overs.
Eventually, Sri Lanka posted a total of 230/8 in their 50 overs in the Ind vs Sl 1st ODI.
While the conditions made it a competitive score, India felt confident in their ability to chase it down with their strong batting lineup.
India’s Chase with Twists and Turns
India’s chase began confidently, with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill looking to capitalize on the powerplay.
They started aggressively, with Rohit Sharma particularly adept at finding the boundary.
A Good Start by the Openers
Rohit Sharma was in sublime form, playing his trademark shots all around the ground.
He brought up his fifty in just 33 balls, demonstrating why he’s considered one of the best openers in the game.
Shubman Gill played the perfect supporting role, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking.
By the end of the 10th over, India had raced to 71/0, making it seem like the match was heading towards a one-sided affair.
However, the introduction of spin changed the dynamics completely.
The Middle-Order Collapse
Sri Lankan spinners, led by Wellalage and Dananjaya, began to weave their magic. The pitch offered considerable turn, and the Indian batsmen struggled to adjust.
The first breakthrough came when Shubman Gill tried to slog sweep Wellalage and ended up giving a simple catch to the keeper.
This triggered a flurry of wickets, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer falling in quick succession.
India’s middle-order collapse put them in a precarious position. From a comfortable 71/0, India slumped to 133/5, with all the recognized batsmen back in the pavilion.
The spinners exploited the conditions perfectly, making it difficult for the batsmen to score.
Also Read: Team India Squad for Srilanka Tour for India Tour of Sri Lanka 2024
A Resilient Fightback
With the top order back in the hut, KL Rahul and Axar Patel took on the responsibility to steady the ship.
They focused on building a partnership, rotating the strike, and punishing bad deliveries. Their fifty-year partnership gave India hope of a comeback.
Just as things were looking up, Rahul attempted a slog sweep against Hasaranga, only to top-edge the ball to the fielder.
His dismissal was a significant blow to India’s chances, and the pressure shifted back to the lower order.
The Dramatic Finale
Axar Patel, however, continued to fight. He found a reliable partner in Shivam Dube, and together they inched India closer to the target.
With every run, the tension in the stadium escalated. The equation boiled down to 21 runs needed off 36 balls with just two wickets in hand.
Dube played a crucial inning, hitting boundaries at important moments and keeping the required run rate in check.
With India needing just five runs off the last over, it seemed like they had the game in the bag. But cricket, with its inherent uncertainties, had other plans.
The Last Over Thriller
Asalanka took the responsibility of bowling the final over in the Ind vs Sl 1st ODI. The first ball was a dot, increasing the pressure on Dube.
The next ball, hit hard, found the fielder—another dot. Dube managed to pierce the cover field on the third ball, bringing the equation down to one run needed with two wickets in hand.
What followed was sheer drama. Asalanka trapped Dube LBW with a brilliant delivery, and the umpire’s decision was upheld on review.
The scores were tied, but India still had one wicket in hand. Arshdeep Singh walked in, needing just one run to seal the victory.
However, Asalanka had other plans. He bowled another brilliant delivery, trapping Arshdeep LBW.
India reviewed the decision, but it was three reds again. The match ended in a tie, leaving everyone in the stadium stunned.
IND vs SL 1st ODI Highlight
- Overs 1-10: India got off to a brisk start with Rohit Sharma leading the charge, reaching 71/0 by the end of the 10th over.
- Overs 11-20: Sri Lanka pulled things back with tight bowling and crucial wickets, reducing India to 112/3 by the 20th over.
- Overs 21-30: The middle overs saw India struggling to keep up with the required rate as Sri Lankan spinners tightened the noose, bringing the score to 147/5.
- Overs 31-40: A partnership between Rahul and Axar gave India hope, but the loss of both batsmen in quick succession brought Sri Lanka back into contention.
- Overs 41-50: In a nail-biting finish, Dube and Siraj brought India close, but Asalanka’s heroics ensured the match ended in a tie. Thats it from the IND vs SL 1st ODI Highlight.
Key Performances and Takeaways
Sri Lanka’s Bowling Brilliance
Sri Lankan spinners were the stars of the show. Wellalage, Dananjaya, and Hasaranga bowled superbly, exploiting the conditions to perfection.
Their combined efforts kept India in check and brought Sri Lanka back into the game after a poor start.
Wellalage’s spell was particularly impressive. He not only picked up crucial wickets but also kept the run rate under control.
His all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
India’s Top Order Collapse
India’s top order, which looked formidable at the start, crumbled under the pressure of spin.
The dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in quick succession put India on the back foot. The middle order couldn’t capitalize on the strong start, leading to a collapse.
Axar Patel’s Resilience
Axar Patel’s innings were a silver lining for India. He played a crucial knock under pressure, showing great temperament and skill.
His partnership with Shivam Dube almost took India over the line. Despite the loss, Axar’s performance will be a positive takeaway for India.
The Importance of Reviews
The match highlighted the importance of reviews in modern-day cricket. Both teams used their reviews wisely, with crucial decisions being overturned.
India’s decision to review Rohit Sharma’s LBW saved him early in the innings, while Sri Lanka’s review in the final over proved to be the turning point of the match.
The Finishing Line
The Ind vs Sl 1st ODI on August 2, 2024, will be remembered for a long time.
It had everything a cricket fan could ask for—a strong start, a middle-order collapse, a resilient fightback, and a dramatic finish.
Both teams fought hard, and in the end, cricket was the real winner.
India will be disappointed to have let the match slip away, but they can take heart from the performances of their lower order.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will celebrate the tie as a moral victory, having come back from a difficult position.
As the teams move forward in the series, they will look to learn from this match and make the necessary adjustments.
For now, fans can relish the memories of an incredible game of cricket, where fortunes swung like a pendulum, and, in the end, neither side emerged as a clear winner.
Also Read: Top 10 Beautiful Wife of Indian Cricketer
Visit Cricket World 007 best cricket blog, for news, blogs, and the latest updates on the Indian cricket team.