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'Had To Get That One Run…': Rohit Sharma After Dramatic Tie Vs Sri Lanka In First ODI

Indian captain Rohit Sharma during the first ODI against Sri Lanka (AP)Indian captain Rohit Sharma during the first ODI against Sri Lanka (AP)

Sri Lankan bowlers enforced a dramatic tie against Team India in the first ODI of their three-match series at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium. With just a run to get and with two wickets remaining, Sri Lankan captain and part-time spinner Charith Asalanka struck twice in succession as both teams finished with a 230-run stalemate.

After the match, Indian captain Rohit Sharma expressed his disappointment of not acing the chase even though the partnership between Axar Patel and KL Rahul tilted the tide in India’s favour.

Rohit Sharma speaks after dramatic tie vs Sri Lanka

Rohit Sharma, in his first ODI appearance since India’s dreadful 2023 World Cup final defeat to Australia, clubbed 58 runs from just 47 balls at the top of the order. Despite Sharma’s clobbering half-century upfront, Team India failed to overhaul Sri Lanka’s 230-run total.

In the 48th over of the match, the Indian team lost their final two wickets at the brink of the finishing line as Sri Lankan bowlers successfully induced a dramatic tie. Speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony, Indian captain Rohit Sharma said that his batters failed to put up a consistent momentum and lost too many key wickets in the middle overs.

Sharma also expressed his disappointment after India failed to get a run with 14 deliveries still remaining, and credited the Sri Lankan bowlers for fighting on till the end. He said:

“Yeah, I mean. The scores are gettable. You just have to bat well to get those scores. We batted well in patches. We failed to get consistent momentum. We knew the powerplay would be crucial. We had the upper hand when we started. We lost wickets in the middle. Axar and KL put a partnership to bring us back in the game. But one required from 14 balls, disappointed to not get it. But credit to Sri Lanka for the way they bowled.”

Rohit Sharma further assessed the pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium, describing it to be favourable for the spinners. He added:

“There was some bite off the surface when we bowled. There was something in it for the spinners. It's not the surface where you come in and play your strokes. But I'm really proud with the way we fought till the end. The game shifted from one end to the other. It was important to keep fighting. Still think we had to get that one run.”

Rohit Sharma and co. will now face Sri Lanka in the second ODI of their three-match series on August 4 at the same Colombo-based venue.