Sri Lanka (Commonwealth) _ After losing the T20I series 3-0, Sri Lanka pulled off a stunning comeback on Wednesday, winning the last one-day international (ODI) of the three-match series against India by 110 runs, snapping their 27-year winless streak in bilateral series against the Indians.
Sri Lanka’s spin bowlers, especially Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Charith Asalanka, stood up and performed impressively well during the series despite losing some of their key fast bowlers due to injury. In the last One-Day International, Sri Lanka’s bowlers won the series 2-0 at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, bowling India out in just 26.1 overs.
Sri Lanka started the ODI series by matching the opening game and winning the second ODI by an impressive 32 runs. India found the series difficult as they had to chase in every game after losing all three of their tosses. The fact that India did not choose enough spinners in the first two games compounded their problems under the challenging circumstances. Even though they started four spinners in the last ODI, Sri Lanka still managed to win the series by a significant margin.
For Sri Lanka’s captain Charith Asalanka and interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya, who led the squad for the first time, this ODI series victory is especially meaningful. Dunith Wellalage, a young all-rounder who was instrumental in the first ODI tie, who took five vital wickets during a match-winning performance in the last game.
Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay claimed two wickets in the last ODI. He had substituted for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga in the second ODI and taken six vital wickets that helped win that match. In the third ODI, Sri Lanka’s captain Charith Asalanka chose to bat first after winning the toss for the third straight time.
On a challenging batting surface, Avishka Fernando, the opener, and Kusal Mendis struck half-centuries to enable Sri Lanka record 248-7 against India. In Colombo, Fernando scored 96 runs and formed important partnerships, such as an opening stand of 89 runs with 45-scoring Pathum Nissanka.
Off-spin bowler Riyan Parag, making his debut, topped India’s bowling attack with three wickets. Prior to the Sri Lankan middle-order struggling, Parag claimed the crucial wicket of Fernando. From one end, Kusal Mendis did not waver, adding 59 to the total before being removed by Kuldeep Yadav in the 49th over.
India, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, had to score 249 to win the series after their batting collapsed in the opening two games. Nonetheless, Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were removed by Wellalage and Asitha Fernando, two quick bowlers from Sri Lanka, during the first powerplay. Mahesh Theekshana and Wellalage did not let the Indian batters to settle after that.
Wellalage secured a historic 110-run victory, the first-ever bilateral series win for Sri Lanka, by bowling out Kuldeep Yadav for LBW as the final wicket, the first bilateral series victory for Sri Lanka against India since 1997.
The biggest threat to India during the series was the spinners from Sri Lanka, who claimed 27 wickets. In a bilateral ODI series, this is the most wickets India has lost to spinners. The 19 they lost against Pakistan in 1996 was the previous high.
Additionally, in a bilateral ODI series consisting of no more than three games, this is the most wickets that Sri Lankan spinners have claimed. In actuality, this series’ 43 wicket losses due to spin are the most in a bilateral series consisting of three games or less. Player of the Series went to Dunith Wellalage, while Player of the Match went to Avishka Fernando.
Wellalage expressed gratitude to everyone who helped him, including coach Asalanka, his teammates, and the coaching staff.The wicket was turning, so we made the necessary adjustments. We made fewer mistakes and played on a comparable field in the championship game,” he remarked.
While acknowledging that Sri Lanka performed better, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma underlined the need to address a number of areas for growth rather than concentrating on the positives.
“We must review our options and choose what steps to take in situations such as this. The world doesn’t end if the series is lost. Over the past three years, these individuals have been playing really well and consistently. The odd series is going to be lost,” Sharma stated.
Charith Asalanka was pleased with how his squad played the whole series.”We just wanted to support our strength, which is spin bowling, since we were all aware of their formidable batting lineup. Yes, the hitters had some difficulties, but this is what you have to do to win a series. Right now, we all feel pretty terrific, especially our coach. The lads truly loved the team atmosphere once he made a few adjustments to the group.”
