Hasaranga, Asalanka pick up three-fors to force a tie
Dube had helped India draw level with his power-hitting against spin but could not take them over the line
Dube had helped India draw level with his power-hitting against spin but could not take them over the line
Scorer: Binoy George | Commentator: @Sudarshanan7
Uff! What a game. Sri Lanka tying a game that was well in India's grasp. A fantastic way to get things going in the three-match ODI series. The second game rolls in in a couple of days. Do join us for that. For tonight, on behalf of Deiva and our scorers, this is Sudarshanan bidding you goodbye! Ciao.
10:11pm Time for the presentation
Dunith Wellalage, the Player of the Match: "The wicket was helping spin, so I wanted to put them under pressure. Me and Liyanage wanted to put on a partnership, and then had a good partnership with Hasaranga. The wicket was slow, we planned to score about 220. Wicket was a bit better in the second innings. Our skipper and Hasaranga changed the game."
Rohit Sharma, India captain: "The scores are gettable, you have to bat well to get that. We batted well in patches, there was no consistent momentum. We started well but knew the game would start once spin comes on. We lost a few wickets and fell behind. Came back through the stand between Axar and Rahul. Disappointed to not get 1 run with 14 balls, but won't read too much. The bite was there at the start and then the ball became softer as the seam wore off. It was not a game where you can play your shots, had to apply yourself and dig in. Proud of how we fought, was important to hold our nerve"
Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka captain: "We felt 230 was enough, should have done better to restrict them further. Not easy to bowl, in the afternoon it turned a bit more. When the lights came on, it came easier onto the bat. [On bowling himself] The left-hander came in, and thought I can bowl to them because it spun a lot. I am happy about the energy in the field and the way boys played in the second half, especially Dunith's knock and Nissanka batted well."
9:57pm Handshakes all around. India cannot believe it. Sri Lanka cannot quite fathom what they have pulled off. Almost a repeat of the final T20I from these two teams. Asalanka and Co. are jumping in joy in the huddle. Now the Indians emerge from the dressing room, feeling of shock on their faces. They were in a comfortable position when Rahul fell. But the lower order, including Dube, couldn't quite finish the task at hand. What a bowler Asalanka turned out to be on the night. Inspiring call to keep continuing at the expense of a Wellalage, who was quite superb. That proved to be a master-stroke. Should Dube have looked for a normal stroke instead of a tentative defence? Should Rahul have not taken that chance against Hasaranga> Ifs and buts, but the story of the night is Sri Lanka's spinners. They never let India get away and the result being just the second tied ODI between these two teams.
India got off to a flier, thanks to Rohit's blazing knock. But once he fell, Sri Lanka's spinners found their hold slowly and surely. They were kept at bay by a patient Rahul and Axar but once the duo fell in quick time, Sri Lanka once again clawed their way back. Wellalage was quite superb at the start with the ball - following his maiden ODI fifty earlier - and then Hasaranga and Asalanka closed it off, even though the former went at close to six an over. Uff, superb game; no Super Over, because that is only in tournament-cricket as per ICC's ODI playing conditions. Do stick around for the presentation
It took 149 ODIs for the first tied game at the R Premadasa Stadium, notes Sampath Bandarupalli
Arshdeep Singh lbw b Asalanka 0 (1m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
Arshdeep Singh the last batter in. He used to come higher up in the T20 World Cup. India only one run away. Slip in place, short third comes across, short extra cover also close in. Only deep midwicket out
S Dube lbw b Asalanka 25 (33m 24b 1x4 2x6) SR: 104.16
All ODIs that end in a tie should feature a Super Over, time and conditions permitting, as per the ICC's playing conditions
He produced an all-round performance, notching up 67 at No.7 and then taking two wickets in a tied game
Openers dropping anchor, spinners dictating the tempo - the first ODI had old-school energy from the jump
Dube had helped India draw level with his power-hitting against spin but could not take them over the line
Sri Lanka's interim coach also says people need to give Asalanka some time as captain before judging him