India won the first ODI match against Sri Lanka at Colombo which is part of the India tour of Sri Lanka’s 6-match limited-overs series. Heading into the match most of the predictions stated that India will win the match. Interestingly predictions went right and India won comfortably. India outperforms Sri Lanka in all three aspects of the game. The Shikhar Dhawan-led side dominated the entire match.
Sri Lanka posted 262 runs on boards at the loss of 9 wickets in the first innings. Other than vice-captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar all the bowlers picked a wicket. Notably, Kuldeep, Chahal, and Chahar got 2 wickets each.
While chasing the comparatively easy target against fragile bowling unit Prithvi Shaw went Berserk against bowlers. Shaw batted explosively hitting 9 fours in his innings. Eventually, he was dismissed at the score of 43 off just 24 balls. Also after Shaw got out Ishan Kishan batted sensationally hitting the very first ball of his ODI innings for the six. Kishan was dismissed at the score of 59 where he batted with a strike rate of 140.47.
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
Shikhar Dhawan led from the front playing an amazing captaincy knock. He played the role of an anchor in his amazing 86 runs inning. Dhawan was supported by Manish Pandey 26(40) and Suryakumar Yadav 31*(20)in the end. India won the match by 7 wickets and 80 balls remaining. Overall it was a great outing for the Indian team.
Let’s have a look at who said what at the post-match press conference of India vs Sri Lanka ODI game:
Prithvi Shaw: It’s fine now (about the blow to the helmet). Rahul sir didn’t say anything, I just went with my instinct and waited for the loose balls. Obviously wanted to keep scoreboard ticking and yeah. Pitch was very nice. First innings also was good but I think it got better in the second innings. Enjoy pace. Maybe after being hit on the head I lost a bit of focus.
That's how you start the innings!
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Dasun Shanaka: Started well but they varied the pace well. Our batsmen couldn’t get the rhythm going. Way Indian players played, they’re very aggressive. We all know how good they are but our bowlers need to improve. Have to execute our plans well.
Shikhar Dhawan: All our boys, most of them have played earlier. They’re very matured. Very happy with the way they played. Knew that wicket has a bit of turn but the way our spinners bowled from 10th over, they got us back straightaway. All three spinners. When we batted, it was great to watch from the other end. Great strength to have them.
The way the young boys play IPL, get so much exposure, their confidence level is very high. The way Prithvi and Ishan batted, they finished the game in first 15 overs. I thought about it (his hundred) but there were not many runs left. So the focus was on being not out. Even when Surya came in and batted, it looked so easy. I was like maybe I have to improve my skill.
