IND vs SL: Dunith Wellalage’s Five Wicket Haul Guides Sri Lanka Win ODI Series Against India After 27-Years

New Delhi: India’s batting lineup faltered below the spin of Sri Lanka’s bowlers, kind of Dunith Wellalage, who claimed 5 wickets, optimum to a dismal a hundred and ten-run loss inside the 1/3 and final ODI on Wednesday. With this defeat, Sri Lanka clinched the three-in shape sequence 2-zero, marking their first bilateral ODI sequence win over India because that 1997, following a tie inside the sequence opener.

In their chase of a demanding 249 on a tough pitch at Premadasa, India became pushed aside for a dismal 138 in simply 26.1 overs. The loss through a hundred and ten runs highlighted great considerations for fresh head educate Gautam Gambhir as he starts off offevolved his tenure. Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage, who had beforehand contributed with the bat, dismantled the Indian lineup with figures of 5 for 27. This bought here after opener Avishka Fernando’s neatly-crafted Ninety six had helped Sri Lanka post a whole of 248 for 7.

India’s chase of 249 commenced promisingly with Rohit Sharma’s aggressive 35 off 20 balls, together with an explosive 18-run over off Maheesh Theekshana. Inspite of Shubman Gill’s early exit, Rohit’s assault featured a sequence of boundaries inside the fourth over. Nevertheless, Rohit’s penchant for the sweep resulted in his downfall, with his try out off Dunith Wellalage being caught through Kusal Mendis.

Following Rohit’s departure, the Indian batting lineup faltered. Virat Kohli (20) misjudged a transport from Wellalage and became adjudged leg beforehand than wicket, even as Rishabh Pant, in his first ODI because that an impressive auto accident, became stumped through Kusal after being beaten through Theekshana. Riyan Parag, making his debut, became bowled through leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay with out providing a shot. Shreyas Iyer also fell leg beforehand than to Wellalage, leaving India in disarray with seven dismissals through using lbw or sparkling bowled.

Maheesh Theekshana’s post-in shape criticism highlighted the accountability of playing on the massive, turning Premadasa pitch, contrasting with the smaller, flatter wickets Indian batters are familiar with.

Sri Lanka had beforehand capitalized on the must haves with sturdy performances from opener Avishka Fernando (Ninety six off 102 balls) and Kusal Mendis (Fifty 9 off eighty two balls). Inspite of a attention-grabbing spell from Parag (three/54) and some support from Kuldeep Yadav (1/36), the Indian bowlers struggled to include the Sri Lankan batsmen.

Fernando anchored the innings with two very critical partnerships: 89 with Pathum Nissanka (45 off 65 balls) and eighty two with Kusal. Nissanka’s aggressive play, together with two sixes off Axar Patel, became curtailed when he became pushed aside through a wide transport from Axar.

Fernando’s aggressive play also exploited Mohammed Siraj’s erratic bowling, hitting two sixes off him. Inspite of being on the target of his fourth ODI century, Fernando became in the conclusion pushed aside through a skidding leg-ruin from Parag. At 171 for two inside the thirty sixth over, Sri Lanka became neatly-positioned to set a target nearing 280.

Parag then pushed aside skipper Charith Asalanka (10) leg beforehand than and likewise took out Wellalage (2), halting Sri Lanka’s late-order push. Nevertheless, Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis mixed for 36 runs for the seventh wicket, equally extending Sri Lanka’s lead and placing the in shape beyond India’s draw close.