Shivam Dube and Arshdeep Singh were both out on consecutive balls, leaving India just one run short of winning the first one-day international match against Sri Lanka, which ended in a tie on Friday. India was chasing a target of 231 runs and seemed ready to win with only one run needed from 15 balls. In the 48th over, Dube hit Asalanka for a four, causing Virat Kohli and head coach Gautam Gambhir to celebrate in the dressing room. But the mood quickly changed when Dube was out on the next ball, leaving India with just one wicket left.
With 1 run needed from 14 balls to win, India still had a chance, and Arshdeep Singh came in as the last batter. Kohli and Gambhir stood up, hoping for the win, but Arshdeep was also out without scoring any runs after trying a big hit and being declared out by the umpire.
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At the game, Dunith Wellalage and Pathum Nissanka both scored solid 50s, helping Sri Lanka reach a respectable 230 for 8 after choosing to bat first.
The score seemed better than it appeared because the conditions favored slower bowlers. Wellalage’s unbeaten 67 came from 65 balls and included seven fours and two sixes.
Nissanka scored 56 from 75 balls.
Left-arm spinner Axar Patel (2/33 in 10 overs) and wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav (1/33 in 10 overs) were efficient, while fast bowlers Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj each took one wicket. In the last 20 overs, 118 runs were made.
Rohit Sharma scored 58 runs from 47 balls while batting, and Axar Patel (33 runs) and KL Rahul (31 runs) also made helpful contributions, but they couldn’t win the match.
Charith Asalanka (3 wickets for 30 runs) and Wanindu Hasaranga (3 wickets for 58 runs) were the best bowlers for the home team.
