Colombo: Sri Lanka secured a decisive victory over India in the third ODI, winning by 110 runs to clinch the three-match series 2-0 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday.
Chasing a target of 249 runs, India initially started strong with Rohit Sharma hitting crucial boundaries. However, the Indian batting lineup crumbled against the Sri Lankan spinners, with Dunith Wellalage delivering a standout performance. Wellalage bagged key wickets of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, dismantling the Indian chase.
India’s batting faltered as they were bowled out for 138 in 26.1 overs. The highest partnership for India came between Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav, highlighting the extent of the team’s struggles.
India’s inability to handle the spin attack led to their first series defeat to Sri Lanka in 27 years. This comprehensive loss underscores the challenges the Indian team faced in adapting to the spin-friendly conditions, marking a significant setback in their ODI campaign.
Earlier in the first innings, Avishka Fernando’s brilliant innings, along with crucial knocks from Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, propelled Sri Lanka to 248/7 against India. The pitch appeared favorable for batting for the majority of the game, allowing Sri Lanka’s top-order batsmen to build a strong foundation.
Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando set the tone with an 89-run partnership for the opening wicket. Although Nissanka fell short of his fifty, Avishka played a commendable innings, missing his century by just four runs. Kusal Mendis, despite struggling to find his rhythm, managed to stay at the crease after Avishka’s dismissal and contributed crucial boundaries in the closing stages of the innings.
Sri Lanka added 31 runs in the last three overs, which could prove to be decisive. India’s recent struggles to chase down targets suggest that this won’t be an easy task for them. The solid performance by Sri Lanka’s batsmen and the challenging total they set will test India’s ability to perform under pressure.
India made two changes for this match, bringing in Rishabh Pant and Riyan Parag in place of KL Rahul and Arshdeep Singh. This marks Parag’s debut in ODI cricket, and he was presented with his ODI cap by star batsman Virat Kohli before the match.
💬 💬 “You have the ability to be a match-winner for India.”
Virat Kohli to Riyan Parag 🤝#TeamIndia | #SLvIND | @imVkohli | @ParagRiyan pic.twitter.com/JduLjSRCPr
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 7, 2024
After winning the toss SL captain Asalanka said, “We are going to bat first. It looks same like the previous two ODIs. Theekshana comes in for Akila Dananjaya. Guys are doing very well, we are in a good position. I would like to see someone score a hundred on this pitch.”
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma after the toss said, “Plenty to play for, we’ve been challenged in the last two matches. It’s clear as to what we need to do with the bat and ball. We’ve addressed it – what we need to do as a group. You got to give credit to the opposition, they played well and understood the position well. Another opportunity for us to correct. Two changes. We have Rishabh and Riyan Parag in place of KL and Arshdeep.”
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Shreyas Iyer, Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka(c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando
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