Key Takeaways
- Sri Lanka secured a commanding 2-0 series win against India
- Dunith Wellalage’s 5-wicket haul was crucial in dismantling India’s batting
- Avishka Fernando’s 96 set up a competitive total for Sri Lanka
- India’s batting collapse against spin continues to be a concern
Sri Lanka Dominate India to Clinch ODI Series
Sri Lanka delivered a resounding victory in the third and final ODI against India, winning by 110 runs and sealing the series 2-0. The match, played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, saw Sri Lanka outperform India in all departments, continuing their impressive form from the previous game.
Setting the Stage
Winning the toss, Sri Lanka elected to bat first. The decision proved fruitful as opener Avishka Fernando anchored the innings with a well-crafted 96 off 102 balls. His innings, peppered with nine fours and two sixes, provided the backbone for Sri Lanka’s competitive total of 248/7 in their allotted 50 overs.
Fernando found able support in Kusal Mendis, who contributed a solid 59. The duo’s partnership laid a strong foundation, allowing Sri Lanka to post a challenging target despite a late wobble in their innings.
India’s Bowling Struggles
While India’s bowlers managed to prevent Sri Lanka from posting an even larger total, they struggled to make consistent breakthroughs. Debutant Riyan Parag emerged as the surprise package, claiming 3/54 with his off-spin. However, the rest of the bowling unit failed to exert sustained pressure, allowing Sri Lanka to maintain a steady scoring rate throughout their innings.
India’s Batting Collapse
Chasing 249, India’s innings got off to a promising start with captain Rohit Sharma scoring a quick-fire 35. However, what followed was a spectacular collapse against Sri Lanka’s spinners, particularly left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage.
Wellalage’s Spinning Web
Wellalage, with his accurate left-arm spin, tore through India’s batting lineup, finishing with exceptional figures of 5/27 in 5.1 overs. His spell included the crucial wickets of Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Axar Patel, effectively ending India’s hopes of a comeback.
The young spinner’s performance highlighted India’s ongoing struggles against quality spin bowling, a concern that has plagued the team in recent times.
Supporting Cast
While Wellalage stole the show, he received excellent support from the rest of Sri Lanka’s bowling unit. Jeffrey Vandersay chipped in with two wickets, while Maheesh Theekshana kept things tight with his mystery spin.
India’s Batting Woes Continue
Apart from Rohit Sharma’s initial flourish and a late cameo by Washington Sundar (30 off 25), India’s batting was a tale of missed opportunities and poor shot selection. The middle order’s inability to negotiate spin bowling on a pitch that offered some assistance to the slow bowlers was particularly glaring.
Series Implications
This series loss serves as a wake-up call for India, especially considering their recent dominance in bilateral ODI series. It exposes chinks in their armor, particularly against quality spin bowling in subcontinental conditions.
For Sri Lanka, this victory marks a significant milestone. It’s their first ODI series win against India since 1997, showcasing the team’s resurgence under the leadership of Charith Asalanka.
Looking Ahead
As both teams prepare for future engagements, including the upcoming Asia Cup and the World Cup, this series has provided valuable insights. India will need to address their spin-playing techniques and middle-order stability, while Sri Lanka can build on this confidence-boosting performance to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in limited-overs cricket.
In conclusion, Sri Lanka’s comprehensive victory not only secured them the series but also sent a strong message to the cricketing world about their capabilities in the ODI format. For India, it’s back to the drawing board as they look to iron out the creases in their game plan before their next international assignment.
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