Charith Asalanka was the hero for Sri Lanka as they played out a thrilling tie with India in the first one-day international in Colombo.

With the scores level, India needed one run to win with two wickets in hand and 15 balls remaining, but home skipper Asalanka struck in successive deliveries.

Asalanka trapped Shivam Dube lbw for 25 and then had Arshdeep Singh lbw for a duck next ball as India were bowled out for 230 in response to Sri Lanka's 230-8.

It was the second time an ODI between the sides had ended in a tie - the first occasion coming when both sides made 236-9 at the Adelaide Oval in February 2012.

Remarkably, this game was also the second successive tie between the sides inside four days after the final Twenty20 international in Pallekele was tied on Tuesday, with India triumphing in a super over.

Earlier, Dunith Wellalage's unbeaten 67 and a patient 56 Pathum Nissanka had helped Sri Lanka post a respectable total at the R Premadasa Stadium.

Arshdeep (2-47) and Axar Patel (2-33) had been the pick of India's bowlers as the wickets were shared round.

Rohit Sharma, on his first international appearance since skippering India to T20 World Cup glory in June, laid the platform for the tourists' response with 58 off 47 balls before he fell to Wellalage (2-39).

Virat Kohli (24), KL Rahul (31) and Patel (33) all got starts for India without kicking on as Wanindu Hasaranga claimed 3-58.

India were still heavy favourites before off-spinner Asalanka (3-30) held his nerve in the 48th over with Mohammed Siraj left stranded as the not-out batter.

"The score was gettable, just that you had to bat well to get there," Rohit said.

"We batted well in patches. It's disappointing to not get one run but we won't read into it too much. I'm proud of how we fought, but we should have got that one run."

The second of the three-match series takes place on Sunday at the same venue.

BDST: 1355 HRS, AUG 03, 2024
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