Image Credit- AFP
The 231-run mark Sri Lanka set for the opening One-Day International at the R Premadasa Stadium, according to India skipper Rohit Sharma, was “gettable”. Following their restriction of Sri Lanka to 230/8, the Indian team found themselves in a precarious pursuit. Even with Rohit’s stunning opening stand of 58 in 47 balls, including seven fours and three sixes, the Indian team’s chase turned into a thrilling contest. But in the end, the Indian side lost wickets, and as there was no Super Over, the game finished in a tie.
“The score was gettable. You have to bat well to get there. We batted well in patches. No consistent momentum. We had the upper hand. We lost a couple of wickets,” Rohit said in the post-match presentation.
After Shreyas Iyer was dismissed, Sri Lanka was well-positioned to finish the match. India was reduced to 132-5 in 24.2 overs, and they looked lost.
However, a stand of 57 runs between Axar Patel (33), and KL Rahul (31), put India back in the contest. After the partnership broke down, India came dangerously close to winning through Shivam Dube.
Captain Charith Asalanka sent Dube back to the dressing room before he could complete the game. The game finished in a tie when the Sri Lankan skipper delivered the decisive blow with one run needed in more than two overs.
At the end of the game, Rohit felt that the result was fair and said, “With the KL-Axar partnership, we came back. Little disappointing at the end. These things happened. Sri Lanka played well. In the end, it was a fair result. It (pitch) remained the same. It’s not where you can come and play your shots. You have to dig in. The game shifted towards both teams at different times. We should have got that one run.”