WATCH: Rohit Sharma marks his return to ODI cricket with huge six against Asitha Fernando

Team India were set a target of 231 to win the first ODI game versus Sri Lanka. Rohit Sharma who is playing his first ODI since November 2023 got off the mark in fine style. Rohit Sharma began with a dot ball against Asitha Fernando who opened the bowling with Mohammad Shiraz. 

In the very second ball of the chase, the Indian skipper came down the track and smacked Fernando for a huge six. The ball travelled 88 meters as the Sri Lankan team and the fans were left in shock. it was a perfect return to the ODI format for Rohit Sharma who has been in blistering form with the bat. 

Down The Ground & 88 Meter Six Bang 🥵🥵🥵🥵#RohitSharma #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/4i5KsWoRKP

— 🍷 EL 🕴🏻 (@Kavin_subin) August 2, 2024

With this six, Rohit Sharma just needs two more sixes to become the skipper with the most sixes in international cricket. 12 runs came off the first over as Rohit Sharma hit yet another boundary this time a four to the third man boundary. 

Shubman Gill played three glorious shots to set down the marker. India had raced to 25 for no loss at the end of three overs. Asitha Fernando had Rohit Sharma given out LBW in the third over. Rohit Sharma decided to review the decision and it was seen that the ball was missing the stumps. 

Sri Lanka stages impressive fightback 

At one stage the home team were struggling with the bat once again as the Indian bowlers were in complete control. That is when Dunith Wellage decided to take control of the situation as he played a great innings that made the difference. 

The youngster scored 67 not out from 65 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes. The left-handed batter scored his first-ever ODI fifty and enabled the home team to reach 230/8 from their 50 overs. Indian bowlers would have been left frustrated having been unable to bowl out Sri Lanka for a lower score. 

Speaking during the mid-innings break, young Wellage said “Wicket - little bit turning. I knew it was turning, so I tried to play my normal game. The wicket was slow and I tried to sweep the ball and rotate the strike. India have a good batting line-up but 231 is a good score. We have No. 1 bowler - Wanindu Hasaranga - and good fast bowlers. We can give a good fight. Not easy to bat on. With good bowling partnerships and dot balls, it's not easy to bat here”