SL vs IND: Rohit Sharma displays his trademark self while schooling Washington Sundar over DRS

Rohit Sharma is back as India captain for the ODI series against India after winning the T20 World Cup 2024 on June 29. In the first ODI at the R Premadasa Stadium, Rohit showed his casual best while Washington Sundar appealed for LBW and the umpire was not interested. The India opener initially hesitant to go for the review, reprimanded Sundar for being not fully sure of the dismissal.

On the fourth ball of the 29^th over, Sundar bowled a near-perfect yorker to Dunith Wellalage, who missed the ball completely as the ball hit his pads and displayed a slight deflection. The bowler and the wicket-keeper seemed interested and Sundar started convincing Rohit for a review and hesitated after giving it a thought. Rohit, exuding a chill demeanour vented out his frustration on the bowler to make his own decision.   

“You tell me, mereko kya dekh raha he, sab kuch mai hi karu” (You tell me, why’re you gazing at me, should I do everything?),” Rohit could be heard saying.

Here’s the video of Rohit and Sundar banter:

Nissanka, Wellalage save Sri Lanka from another collapse

Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first and the decision proved to be disastrous as the hosts were brought down to 101 for five in 27 overs. The Indian bowlers carried out the further assault and restricted the Lankan Lions to just 230 runs for eight wickets after 50 overs. Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel fetched two wickets each as other bowlers contributed with one each.

Sri Lanka were on the verge of another batting collapse resembling the third T20I. Opener, Pathum Nissanka held onto one end as wickets tumbled on the other end. He scored a gritty 56 off 75 balls and stayed till the 27^th over. With no other substantial knock, Wellalage played an out-of-character innings of an unbeaten 67 off 65 balls to take his team to a respectable score.