Rohit Sharma scored a blistering fifty as the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka ended in a thrilling tie at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday (August 2).

Bowling first, India restricted Sri Lanka to 230/8 with Axar Patel (2/33) and Kuldeep Yadav (1/33) bowling excellent spells. Dunith Wellalage (67*) and Pathum Nissanka (56) scored fighting half-centuries to help the Lankans to a competitive total.

In response, the Hitman (58) came up with a stunning onslaught as India were bowled out for 230. Axar Patel (33) and KL Rahul (31) fought hard, but we finished inches short of a thrilling win.

Let us have a look at how the first ODI unfolded.

Siraj Strikes

Mohammed Siraj, Sri Lanka’s nemesis from the recent past, started off in style striking in the third over. SL managed just 37/1 after the first 10 overs, thanks to some disciplined bowling from the pacers.

Spinning it our way

It was wonderful to watch the spin trio of Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar beating the batters with their turn and guile. It was a journey to the classic era with the bowlers calling the shots and strangulating the Lankans as they slipped from 60/2 to 101/5.

Target for India: 231 

The Sri Lanka lower order batters led by Dunith Wellalage showed some resistance to frustrate us. SL managed to reach 230/8 at the end of 50 overs after a mid-innings collapse, but Rohit and Co. have the firepower to get there.

Hitman is in the park

RO got into the groove stepping out to smack the ball over mid-wicket in just the second delivery of the innings. A Colossal Six! He did not disappoint the fans who were waiting for the Hitman show, with boundaries all over the park.

The flicked six off pacer Mohamed Shiraz, which oozed class, was the pick of them all as India raced past the 50-run mark in the sixth over.

50 for Mumbaicha Raja

9.1 overs: Hitman sweeps for four

9.2 overs: Hitman sweeps again, this time for six.

What a way to get to his fifty! That too in just 33 balls.

A tricky phase

Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer eased the nerves a bit with a 43-run partnership after India slipped to 87/3. But the fall of both in the space of six balls brought us back to the edge of the seat again.

Game-changing partnership

Grit and Determination! KL Rahul and Axar Patel were involved in a fighting partnership of 57 that took us close to a win. On a pitch where shot-making was challenging, both put their heads down and displayed a lot of patience and fight.

Thrilling Tie

Shivam Dube hit two huge sixes and a four but we lost two wickets in two balls to end at 230/10. An emotional roller-coaster indeed!

We will come back stronger in the second ODI scheduled to start on Sunday, August 4 at the same venue at 2:30 PM IST.

Brief scores: India 230/10 (Rohit Sharma 58, Axar Patel 33, Charith Asalanka 3/30, Wanindu Hasaranga 3/58) vs Sri Lanka 230/8 (Dunith Wellalage 67*, Pathum Nissanka 56, Axar Patel 2/33, Arshdeep Singh 2/47) Match Tied.