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Sri Lanka clinched the series 2-0 with a commanding 110-run victory over India, Dunith Wellalage’s sensational 5-wicket haul
Sri Lanka clinched the series 2-0 with a commanding 110-run victory over India, Dunith Wellalage’s sensational 5-wicket haul
Wellalage five-for send India crashing to 2-0 defeat and Sri Lanka's first bilateral ODI series win against India in 27 years.
In the third and final ODI match of the series, Sri Lanka made a historic win 2-0 with an impressive 110 runs. Well, this is the first time in the past 27 years that Sri Lanka can India in a bilateral series. Dunith Wellalage was surely the Player of the Series as he took 5 wickets.
Rohit Sharma scored 35 runs for India, and Washington Sundar added 30 towards the end. However, Maheesh Theekshana took Sundar's wicket, ending India's hopes.
Earlier in the match, Riyan Parag's impressive three-wicket performance helped India limit Sri Lanka to 248/7, despite a strong showing from Avishka Fernando. This took place in the third ODI of the series at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka :
Initial Overs ( 1 To 15 )
In the initial overs, Sri Lankan batsmen Nissanka and Fernando started their innings with a mix of caution and aggression. Meanwhile, Siraj and Shivam Dube opened the bowling for India, with Siraj initially struggling as Nissanka scored a couple of boundaries off him. Nissanka used his wrists well to flick Siraj's deliveries, while Fernando also found some success with well-timed shots. Dube managed to maintain pressure, although Fernando edged a few deliveries through the field.
Axar Patel and Washington Sundar then took over the spin duties, with Axar initially being more successful, as Nissanka hit him for a couple of boundaries, including a powerful six. As the innings progressed, Fernando and Nissanka continued to build their partnership, with Fernando occasionally finding the boundary and Nissanka showing strong defensive skills as well as some aggressive shots. The pair managed to steady Sri Lanka's innings despite the Indian bowlers' varied tactics.
Middle Overs (16 To 30)
Kuldeep Yadav maintained a tight grip with his accurate spin bowling, conceding just two runs. Nissanka and Fernando managed only a single each, with Nissanka defending well but struggling to find gaps. On the other hand, Washington Sundar was in action, and Fernando began to assert himself with a well-timed boundary through the sweep shot.
In the 18th over, Kuldeep Yadav bowled accurately to keep the pressure on. Axar Patel broke the partnership by dismissing Nissanka in the 19th over. Kuldeep continued to bowl precisely in the 20th over, keeping the scoring low. Mendis defended well, and Fernando managed a single. In the 21st over, Axar Patel maintained the pressure, causing Fernando to miss a few deliveries but still score some singles.
In the 22nd over, Kuldeep Yadav bowled a mix of deliveries, allowing singles for both Fernando and Mendis while keeping the scoring difficult. Washington Sundar took over in the 25th over, challenging both batsmen with tight lines and variations. Fernando managed a single, but Mendis couldn't score on a few deliveries.
In the 24th over, Riyan Parag's deliveries allowed Fernando and Mendis to collect singles, with Fernando hitting a boundary to reach his half-century. Although Riyan bowled at a decent pace, he lacked the control to challenge the batsmen fully. In the 26th over, Fernando continued to score singles and hit a couple of boundaries, including well-timed shots to long-on and square leg.
In the 27th over, Washington Sundar mixed his deliveries, with Fernando managing a single off a full toss and Mendis adding runs. The 28th over saw Siraj's short-pitched balls being punished by Fernando, who hit two sixes and a boundary, significantly boosting the scoring rate.
Sundar's 29th over was disciplined, with Fernando and Mendis each scoring a single. In the 30th over, Siraj faced aggressive batting from Fernando, who hit a boundary and a six, while Mendis added valuable runs. This aggressive play helped Sri Lanka cross 150 with a crucial partnership in place.
Death Overs ( 31 to 50 )
In a thrilling ODI match, Sri Lanka built a strong foundation with key performances from Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando. Fernando scored 96 before being dismissed by Riyan Parag, who also took the crucial wickets of Charith Asalanka and Janith Liyanage. Kuldeep Yadav contributed with figures of 2/50, dismissing Kusal Mendis for 59.
The lower-order batsmen, including Kamindu Mendis and Theekshana, added valuable runs in the final stages. Despite efforts from Siraj and Parag to restrict the scoring, Sri Lanka set a challenging total of around 230-240. The match featured intense action and critical moments that shaped the outcome
India
Initial Overs ( 1 To 15 )
In an important ODI match, Sri Lanka's bowlers performed strategically and with discipline, putting India under a lot of pressure. Asitha Fernando started strong by dismissing Shubman Gill with a low-bouncing delivery that hit the leg stump. Rohit Sharma gave India some hope with a boundary and a six off Theekshana, who was struggling with accuracy. However, Sri Lanka's bowlers stayed composed, and Rohit's aggressive innings ended when Wellalage got him out with a catch taken by Kusal Mendis.
Theekshana made a crucial impact by stumping Rishabh Pant, a key moment in the game. Virat Kohli's time at the crease was short as he was dismissed by Wellalage's arm ball after a failed review, putting India in a tough spot. Theekshana and Wellalage continued to dominate, taking the wickets of Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel. Riyan Parag and Shivam Dube tried to steady the innings, but Vandersay's straight delivery ended Parag's innings, and Dube faced constant pressure from the spinners. Sri Lanka's bowlers effectively used the conditions and took advantage of India's batting weaknesses, leaving the Indian team struggling to set a competitive total.
Middle Overs ( 16 to 30)
Sri Lanka’s bowlers put in a remarkable performance to secure a decisive victory over India, winning by 110 runs. The innings saw Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav trying to salvage the situation for India, but they struggled against Sri Lanka’s spin attack. Theekshana was particularly effective, taking the crucial wicket of Sundar, who was dismissed for 30 after a valiant effort that included three sixes.
Theekshana also beat Sundar with a delivery that he nearly edged behind but survived due to no available reviews. Kuldeep Yadav faced a tough time and was eventually out lbw to Wellalage, who wrapped up the match with that final wicket. Despite some resistance from Sundar and Yadav, the Indian batting lineup fell short, leading to Sri Lanka’s historic win, their first bilateral ODI series win against India since 1997.
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