The first ODI of the ongoing three-match series between India and Sri Lanka ended in a draw. Both teams finished their innings on 230 runs in the opening match of the series, which was played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday (August 3).

Sri Lanka batted first and scored 230/8 in the allotted 50 overs thanks to fifties from Pathum Nissanka and Dunith Wellalage. Nissanka scored 56 runs while Wellalage scored an unbeaten 67. At one stage, Sri Lanka were tottering at 101/5 before Wellalage’s unbeaten fifty helped them post a total of over 200.

In reply, India were bowled out for 230 runs in the 48th over. Captain Rohit Sharma scored a fifty off 33 balls and gave his team a blistering start. However, his effort ultimately went in vain as the other Indian batsmen put in a disappointing performance in the game.

In the 48th over, Shivam Dube hit a four off Charith Asalanka to level the score. With just 1 run needed from 15 balls and 2 wickets in hand, a win seemed a mere formality for the Men in Blue. However, Asalanka trapped Dube and Arshdeep Singh lbw off successive deliveries to bowl India out for 230 runs.

Did umpires make a mistake in India vs Sri Lanka ODI?

Before the first ODI, the third T20I between India and Sri Lanka was also tied and the result was eventually decided by a Super Over. However, the ODI match ended without a clear winner. Well, it seems that the ODI match could have also had a clear winner if the umpires had followed the ICC rules.

Under the ICC ODI Playing Conditions, a Super Over should have been played to decide the winner of the match. The ICC Men’s ODI Playing Conditions, which have been in force since December 2023, state that in the event of a tie or no result:

“A Super Over shall be played. If the Super Over results in a draw, unless exceptional circumstances arise, subsequent Super Overs shall be played until a winner is determined. If it is not possible to play or complete the Super Overs required to determine a winner, the match shall be drawn.”

It seems the umpires made a mistake last night at RPS. Under the new playing conditions that have been in place since December 2023, a tied ODI should have been decided by a super over. In fact, multiple super overs were planned to break the tie. pic.twitter.com/6Jao6n76vk

— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) August 3, 2024

The rules clearly state that a drawn ODI match must end with a Super Over unless it is not possible to play it. The conditions in Colombo were absolutely fine for Super Overs as there was no rain, but the umpires decided to end the match after India’s innings had concluded.

In the past, the results of several ODIs were decided by Super Overs. The 2019 ODI World Cup final also had Super Overs. Later in 2020, a match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe was also decided by Super Overs. The 2023 Cricket World Cup qualifier between West Indies and Netherlands was also decided by Super Overs.