• Charith Asalanka's fighting century helped Sri Lanka to clinch a victory against Australia in the first ODI.

  • Asalanka's brilliant ton was laced with 14 boundaries and 5 sixes.

Twitter reactions: Sri Lanka triumphs over Australia in a low-scoring encounter at Colombo | 1st ODI
Charith Asalanka (Image Source: X)

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Sri Lanka defeated Australia by 49 runs in the first ODI at Colombo. Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 215, with Charith Asalanka scoring 127 and Dunith Wellalage contributing 30. Australia’s chase faltered despite Alex Carey‘s 41 as Maheesh Theekshana (4/40) dismantled the batting lineup. Adam Zampa fought with a late 20, but Australia were bowled out for 165 in 33.5 overs. Sri Lanka took a 1-0 lead in the series with a dominant all-round performance.

Charith Asalanka’s masterclass lifts Sri Lanka to a competitive total

Sri Lanka, electing to bat first at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, found themselves in early trouble as Australia’s pace attack made early inroads. The hosts lost their first four wickets for just 31 runs, with Spencer Johnson and Aaron Hardie dismantling the top order. Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis all fell cheaply, failing to provide any stability at the top.

However, Asalanka, leading the team in this match, played a remarkable captain’s knock under immense pressure. His 127 off 126 deliveries was a blend of resilience, calculated aggression, and match awareness. With 14 fours and five sixes, Asalanka carried the Sri Lankan innings on his shoulders.

He found some support from Janith Liyanage and Wellalage, but the wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Wellalage chipped in with a handy 30 off 34 balls, adding a crucial 67-run partnership with Asalanka to steer Sri Lanka past the 120-run mark. Despite their efforts, Sri Lanka’s innings never truly gained full momentum, as regular breakthroughs from Australia’s seamers restricted them to 214 in 46 overs. Abbott was the most successful bowler for the visitors, claiming three wickets for 61 runs, while Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson picked up two wickets each. Hardie was the most economical of the bowlers, conceding just 13 runs in his six-over spell while taking two wickets.

Also WATCH: Steve Smith’s lightning reflexes send Avishka Fernando packing in the 1st ODI

Australia crumbles under pressure as Sri Lankan spinners dominate

Chasing a modest target of 215, Australia got off to a disastrous start, losing both openers, Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk, within the first three overs. Asitha Fernando struck twice in quick succession, sending shockwaves through the Australian dressing room. Cooper Connolly, playing only his second ODI, struggled to get going before falling lbw to Maheesh Theekshana. At 18/3, Australia was in deep trouble, and the experienced Steve Smith needed to stabilize the innings. However, his stay was short-lived as he was bowled by Wellalage for 12, reducing the visitors to 31/4 inside 10 overs.

With the top order crumbling, wicketkeeper-batter Carey played a counterattacking innings, scoring 41 off 38 balls, including five boundaries and a six. Carey attempted to revive the chase in the company of Marnus Labuschagne, who made 15 off 27 balls. The duo stitched together a 50-run partnership, but just when Australia seemed to be regaining their footing, Sri Lanka struck back. Labuschagne was trapped lbw by Theekshana, and soon after, Carey fell to Asalanka’s part-time spin. At 85/6, Australia were staring at a heavy defeat.

Aaron Hardie and Sean Abbott tried to fight back with a few attacking strokes, adding 41 runs for the seventh wicket. Hardie’s 32 off 37 balls kept Australia’s hopes alive, but his dismissal to Wanindu Hasaranga marked the beginning of the end for the visitors. With tailenders Ellis, Zampa and Johnson left to chase a steep target, Sri Lanka wrapped up the innings quickly. Theekshana starred with the ball, claiming four wickets for 40 runs in 9.5 overs, while Wellalage and Asitha Fernando bagged two wickets each.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Also WATCH: Steve Smith grabs a stunner at slips to dismiss Janith Liyanage in the 1st ODI

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AMAR PAL SINGH BHALLA
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