India vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI highlights: Charith Asalanka takes 2 in 2 as Sri Lanka end series opener in thrilling tie

India and Sri Lanka played out a thriller tie in the series opener

Leading India from the front in his first 50-over game after the heartbreaking 2023 World Cup final, skipper Rohit Sharma smashed a quick-fire half-century in the opening One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series against hosts Sri Lanka at the R.Premadasa Stadium on Friday. Though Rohit's knock laid the foundation for a successful run-chase in the series opener, Sri Lanka bowlers staged a comeback with game-changing wickets of Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Washington Sundar.

Reviving India's 231 run-chase, KL Rahul and Axar Patel stitched a 57-run partnership but the duo failed to take India across the finish line. Playing a crucial cameo, Shivam Dube put India on the cusp with a boundary in the 47th over. However, Dube couldn't finish off the game as the Indian batter perished for 25 off 24 balls. Completing Sri Lanka's late comeback, skipper Charith Asalanka castled Arshdeep Singh on the next ball as India folded for 230 to end the contest in a tie.

Earlier, Dunith Wellalage played a crucial hand in helping Sri Lanka set a respectable total in the series opener against Rohit Sharma's Team India at the R.Premadasa Stadium. Pathum Nissanka's gritty 56 off 75 balls, followed by Wellalage's maiden half-century, helped Sri Lanka cross the 200-run mark in the 1st One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series. Wellalage's career-best knock of 67 (65) powered Sri Lanka to 230-8 in 50 overs.

As many as 8 wickets were shared by Indian bowlers - Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar. India got off to a terrific start, taking just 2.3 overs to land the first blow. And it had to be Siraj, right? With some early movement, Avishka Fernando wanted to go aerial. The only difference in plan was that he mistimed it and hit it straight to the fielder. After a below-par powerplay, skipper Rohit Sharma introduced Dube, who bagged his maiden ODI wicket in the 13th over.

Shivam Dube over Riyan Parag

Leading the batting charge of the hosts, Nissanka then revived the innings with a fighting half-century. Earlier, skipper Charith Asalanka won the toss and opted to bat first. For Sri Lanka, Mohammed Shiraz made his debut. Don't get that wrong, it's Shiraz. Not Siraj. Big news came from the Indian camp was that Dube got picked in the playing XI ahead of Riyan Parag.

After the 2023 World Cup, India have played only a handful of ODIs. Three to be exact – against South Africa in late December. But with the T20 World Cup done and dusted, the Men in Blue are back to thrill in the 50-overs format as India take on Sri Lanka in a three-match series, the first of which takes place today at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

India vs Sri Lanka rivalry

The India vs Sri Lanka rivalry used to produce a string of high-octane, tense and exciting contests in the 1990s and the mid-2000s. But ever since the retirements of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, it has pretty much been one-way traffic – more so in the last four-five years – and the recently concluded T20I leg was a proven example of the same. Not only did India beat Sri Lanka 3-0, but they also thumped them from start to finish.

The return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

The ODIs promise to bring about little change as India have only been bolstered by the returns of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and Sri Lanka dented with injuries to Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka, who have been ruled out of the series. But Sri Lanka's misery is music to India's ears. As the preparations for next year's Champions Trophy get underway, India couldn't have asked for a better opponent than Sri Lanka to switch from T20Is to ODIs.

Focus on Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul

Rohit may want to stay clear from calling it a practice match, the huge gulf between the two teams, making it a mismatch of sorts, proves the Indian captain otherwise. The returning duo of Kohli and Rohit isn't the only comeback India is looking forward to. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, who have bossed the ODIs lately, are coming back into the side after a long gap. Rahul has been away from the national picture since the Test series against England, while Shreyas' contract was terminated by the BCCI.

India's ODI future

But if there are any two cricketers who deserve to walk back into the Indian team, it's Rahul and Iyer. Who can forget their stellar show at the World Cup, where India produced that dream run of winning 10 consecutive matches and finished runner-up. Let not the memories of November 19 put a dampener on what these two guys achieved during that unforgettable two-month campaign. With Rohit, Kohli, Rahul and Iyer all likely to get a look in, the Indian ODI set-up promises to wear an entirely different look from its T20I unit.

India at R Premadasa

Having said that, there was rain on the horizon. Yes, this time of the year is never easy on Sri Lanka, especially when there is cricket. Remember last year's Asia Cup, where rain washed out a couple of games, forced some into reserve days and made the groundmen work extra time? Unfortunately, we are up and around the same time of the year. Overcast and windy conditions make it a win toss, bowl first kind of a game. The R Premadasa has been a happy hunting ground for India, even more for Virat Kohli, who has scored over 600 runs from 11 matches here in Colombo and boasts an average of more than 100. If there is one venue Kohli would have loved to make a comeback, it's here.

Kuldeep Yadav can script history

Then there is Kuldeep Yadav, who is on the road to becoming India's No. 1 spinner across formats. The last time Kuldeep faced Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka in a non-final - the Super Fours of the Asia Cup - he picked up 4/43 to dismantle their chase of 214. They were bowled out for 172, falling short by 41 runs to give India a rather easy win in the end. What are the chances of a similar sight unfolding today? We say at least 80 percent. Why? Because this Sri Lankan batting appears weak against quality spin, and with Kuldeep ready to unleash with all his might, expecting some carnage wouldn't be an understatement.

More on Gautam Gambhir era

The ODI series marked the association that is Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir. In fact, there is so much history between the current coach and ODI captain of Team India. Rohit and Gambhir were teammates when India won the first-ever T20 World Cup in 2007. Even BCCI chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar was part of that squad. And now, today, 17 years later, as three are working in tandem to take Indian cricket forward and to greater heights. A beautiful chapter in Rohit's career ended with Rahul Dravid moving on from his role as coach; however, with Gambhir coming on board, another one promises to ensue, one that is hopefully more blossoming and fruitful than the glorious period that went by.

Below are some key pointers from the India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI:

-India and Sri Lanka played out a thrilling tie in the series opener.

-Shivam Dube smashed 25 off 24 balls but couldn't finish off the game.

-KL Rahul (31) and Axar Patel (33) played crucial knocks for India.

-Shreyas Iyer perished for 23 off 23 balls.

-Virat Kohli scored 24 (32) in his return to ODIs.

-Gautam Gambhir promoted Washington Sundar to No.3 position.

-Rohit Sharma smashed his 56th ODI half-century for Team India.

-Sri Lanka posted 230/8 (D Wellalage 67*, P Nissanka 56; A Patel 2/33) in 50 overs.

-Dunith Wellalage smashed his maiden ODI half-century against India.

-Pathum Nissanka scored 14th ODI half-century off 67 balls.

-Shivam Dube bagged his maiden ODI wicket after the powerplay.

- Mohammed Siraj picked up the first wicket for India.

- Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat.

- Mohammed Shiraz made his debut for Sri Lanka.

- India picked Shivam Dube ahead of Riyan Parag.

- This was Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's first ODI series since the 2023 World Cup final.

- Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul made their long impending returns to India's ODI scheme of things.

- Sri Lanka were without Dilshan Madushanka and Matheesha Pathirana.

- Sri Lanka last beat India in a bilateral ODI series back in 1997.