Fans react after India’s win. (Image: BCCI, @GaurangBhardwa1, @45Fan_Prathmesh/X)
The first ODI between India and Sri Lanka ended in a tie on Friday (August 2) at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The third T20I between the two teams on Tuesday also got tied, but India won the match in the Super Over. As the super-over facility wasn’t available for the ODI series, the two teams shared the honors during Friday’s contest.
After opting to bat first, Sri Lanka fought hard to reach a competitive total of 230/8 in 50 overs. Dunith Wellalage (67) and Pathum Nissanka (56) hit fine half-centuries, while a couple of others chipped in with mini contributions. Arshdeep Singh (2/47) and Axar Patel (2/33) were the picks of Indian bowlers.
In reply, Rohit Sharma hit a 33-ball half-century to give India a brisk start in the tricky chase. He put on a 75-run opening partnership with Shubman Gill and set the platform for the middle-order.
However, things went south for the visiting team after Rohit’s dismissal, as the rest of the batters failed to cash in on the good start. India kept losing wickets at regular intervals and found themselves in trouble at 132/5 in 24.2 overs.
KL Rahul (31) and Axar Patel (33) arrested the fall of wickets for a while with their 57-run partnership. However, both fell after getting set without completing the job. Shivam Dube played a vital cameo in the end and put his side on the brink of a win. Unfortunately, India lost both Dube and Arshdeep Singh on consecutive balls in the 48th over when they needed only one run to win, resulting in a tie.
Fans enjoyed the thrilling ODI match between the two Asian teams on Friday. They shared their reactions to the match by posting hilarious memes on X and Instagram.
Here are some of the best memes:
“I thought that 230 was enough”- Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka after 1st ODI vs India got tied
At the post-match presentation, Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka reflected on his team’s performance in the match, saying:
“I thought that 230 was enough but we should have done better to restrict them to less than that score. I don’t think the surface changed that much. However, in the first session, when we were batting in the afternoon, it turned a lot but when the lights came on, I think it became easier to bat on.”
He continued:
“I brought myself on as the left-hander came out to bat. I am really happy about the energy on the field and the way the boys played in the second innings. Nissanka and Dunith batted really well.”
The two teams will square off in the second ODI of the series on Sunday (August 4) at the same venue.
