Team India comprehensively beat Sri Lanka in the first ODI to take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series. It was a brilliant effort all around from the Men-in-Blue, while the Lankans continue to freefall.
After opting to bat first on a flat track, Sri Lanka got off to a good start courtesy Avishka Fernando. However, his untimely dismissal brought about a shift in momentum. For the first time in almost 2 years, the famed duo Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal took the field together. It bore immediate results, with India gaining the upper hand in the middle-overs phase.
Sri Lanka, at 120-4, needed a partnership but they kept losing wickets. It was down to some poor shot selection as there were no demons in the pitch. They were on course to an under-par total. However, a late surge from Chamika Karunaratne and Dushmantha Chameera saw Sri Lanka get past the 250-run mark to set up a defendable total in the first ODI.
KulCha First Time playing Together in a same ODI match since 2019 World Cup, and both perfomed Brilliantly well together once again. Bowling figure 19-1-100-4. 4 wickets in 100 runs. Their job taking wickets in middle Overs, & they did so well in this match once again. #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/d26zgrqfhG
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) July 18, 2021
Prithvi Shaw and Ishan Kishan set the tempo for the chase in the 1st ODI
There was a bit of assistance for the spinners and therefore, the chase was not straightforward. Prithvi Shaw, however, saw things differently. He came out with the intent to attack and raced away to 43 before being dismissed by Dhananjaya de Silva. The belligerent batting continued with Ishan Kishan joining Shikhar Dhawan at the crease.
The left-handed batsman showed no signs of nerves in his debut game. He started off with a six and a four and continued to go for his shots. Although looking a bit ugly at times, Kishan kept going and reached his 50 off just 33 balls. The birthday boy was soon dismissed, but at this stage, India were already cruising.
They needed 120 runs from thereon, and a couple of cameos from Manish Pandey and Suryakumar Yadav saw them through comfortably. Dhawan, on his captaincy debut, played the role of the anchor and finished unbeaten on 86. India thus defeated Sri Lanka by 7 wickets and 80 balls to spare in the first ODI.
It was the perfect start for the young squad on the tour. For his masterful stroke-play early on, Prithvi Shaw was named the man of the match.
A comprehensive 7-wicket win for #TeamIndia to take 1-0 lead in the series🙌
How good were these two in the chase! 👏👏
8⃣6⃣* runs for captain @SDhawan25 👊
5⃣9⃣ runs for @ishankishan51 on ODI debut 💪Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/rf0sHqdzSK #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/BmAV4UiXjZ
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 18, 2021
