Sri Lanka’s middle-order once again came to cropper against India as the Islanders, after being given a solid start squandered the opportunity to post a big total and were restricted to 216 in the first ODI in Dambulla.
At 139 for one in the 25th over, the hosts were looking well set to put up a challenging total, but their fragile middle-order once again failed to make the most of the chance.
Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka had given Sri Lanka a good start by adding 74 runs before the latter was sent back by Yuzvendra Chahal for 35. Dickwella and Kusal Mendis then steadied the ship, adding 65 runs for the second wicket to lay the foundation for a good total.
However, once Kedar Kadhav trapped Dickwella LBW for 64, the floodgates opened, as they kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. With the Islanders eight down for just 187, India would have fancied their chances of restricting them to below 200 but Angelo Mathews held firm from on end and remained unbeaten on 36 to guide the team to a respectable total.
Axar Patel starred with the ball, taking three for 34 in his ten overs while Yuzvendra Chahal, Kedar Jadhav, and Jasprit Bumrah picked up a couple of wickets each.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the innings:
139-1 in the 25th to 176-6 in the 35th, been a slide for Sri Lanka.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 20, 2017
Nothing has changed, the Sri Lankan batsmen continue to surrender against the Indian bowlers. #SLvIND
— Nikhil Mane ??? (@nikhiltait) August 20, 2017
Sri Lanka are absolutely woeful! Will be very surprised if India lose even a single game in the series. #SLvIND
— Narbavi (@Narbavi) August 20, 2017
Axar Patel is bowling a wonderful little spell here. Nice variations in pace and gives you no room
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 20, 2017
This feels like you're in a time machine, watching India v Sri Lanka Test series.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) August 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/sagarcasm/status/899222497219850241
Trumpets
Drums
Commentators pronouncing "weekut"
– ODI in Srilanka #SLvIND— cricBC (@cricBC) August 20, 2017
Axar Patel trying really hard to make people forget he conceded 23 runs in the last over to Dhoni. #SLvIND
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) August 20, 2017
Dear Tharanga, try not getting out Timed Out, Obstructing or Handling Ball this #SLvInd.
Not too many other freaky dismissals left.
— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) August 20, 2017
Good to see that Srilankan fans haven't forgotten their way to the stadiums. #SLvInd
— cricBC (@cricBC) August 20, 2017
Match delayed due to Sri Lanka's national anthem. #INDvSL
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) August 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/899212916418674689
August 2008 at Dambulla:
Virat Kohli walked out as debutantAugust 2017 at Dambulla:
Virat Kohli will walk out as Indian captain— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) August 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/vanillawallah/status/899193645471072256