Arshdeep Singh had a ‘swoon’ moment on Friday as the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka ended in a draw at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Chasing 231 runs, India were at 226 for 8 at the end of the 47th over. With just 5 runs needed off 18 balls and a well-placed Shivam Dube in the middle, India looked destined to win the game. Three balls into the 48th over and a win seemed to be the only chance for Team India.
Dube hit a four off Charith Asalanka to level the score. With just one run needed and two wickets in hand, not many expected the game to end in a draw. However, India squandered the lead and lost two wickets in as many balls. On the fourth ball of the over, Dube was declared out lbw as the all-rounder departed after scoring 25 runs in 24 balls.
Dube’s dismissal brought Arshdeep Singh to the crease. All he needed was to just poke the ball anywhere on the pitch and score a single to take India home. However, the left-handed bowler had a moment of madness when he tried to take a wild sweep and failed to make contact with the ball.
The ball hit his thigh and he was out with an injury. Arshdeep reviewed the decision but it did not change anything as India lost the chance to take the lead in the three-match series.
Watch Arshdeep Singh throw his goalie:
image.twitter.com/TNGIfqiGk7
— Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (@Hanji_CricDekho) August 2, 2024
May 14, 2017 Misbah Ul Haq and Younis Khan’s final Test match. There are 7 balls left in the series and all West Indies No. 11 Shannon Gabriel had to do was hold on for one ball and let Roston Chase, who was on 101, face the last over and save the series. Here’s what happened next. pic.twitter.com/sVdvLcW8Mc
— Eco Vibes 🌍 (@EcoVibeExplorer) May 14, 2024
As soon as Arshdeep Singh threw away his wicket, fans took to social media to compare it to Shannon Gabriel’s infamous dismissal against Pakistan during a Test match in 2017. The West Indies needed to see out 7 deliveries to eke out a hard-fought draw.
Roston Chase was standing at the non-striker’s end, unbeaten on 101 as Gabriel faced Yasir Shah. The West Indian player had to beat just one ball to allow Chase to face the final over. Shah bowled a lofted delivery outside the outside stump and Gabriel surprisingly attempted a big hit and ended up getting an inside edge. The ball ended up crashing into the stumps.
India started their chase on the right foot thanks to a fine fifty from captain Rohit Sharma. Rohit scored 58 runs and shared a 75-run stand with his opening partner Shubman Gill. Both openers departed in quick succession to leave India 2 down for 80.
From then on, India kept losing wickets at regular intervals. The likes of Virat Kohli (24), Shreyas Iyer (23), KL Rahul (31) and Axar Patel (33) started, but none of them could last long to take India home. For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga and Asalanka picked up 3 wickets each while Dunith Wellalage got 2 wickets. Early in the game, the hosts recovered from 101/5 to 230/8.
