India vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI, Sri Lanka sealed a historic series win by defeating India by 110 runs, thanks to Dunith Wellalage’s remarkable five-wicket haul.
Sri Lanka delivered a commanding performance in the third ODI, securing a 110-run victory over India and clinching the three-match series 2-0. After setting a target of 249, Sri Lanka’s spinners, led by the young sensation Dunith Wellalage, dismantled the Indian batting lineup, bowling them out for a mere 138 in 26.1 overs.
Sri Lanka’s Batting Performance: India vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI
Electing to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 248/7 in their 50 overs, a total that proved too challenging for the Indian batsmen. Avishka Fernando was the star of the Lankan innings, narrowly missing out on a century with a well-crafted 96. Kusal Mendis also contributed significantly with a gritty 59, providing stability to the Lankan innings. India’s Riyan Parag, on his ODI debut, showcased his potential by claiming three crucial wickets for 54 runs, including the key dismissal of Fernando.
India’s Batting Collapse
In response, India’s chase began on a promising note with captain Rohit Sharma leading the charge, scoring a brisk 35. However, the Indian innings quickly unraveled as Wellalage spun his web, taking five wickets for just 27 runs. Wellalage’s victims included key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer, leaving India in tatters. Washington Sundar (30) and Rohit were the only batsmen to show some resistance, but their efforts were in vain as the rest of the lineup faltered against the spin attack.
Key Highlights:
- Sri Lanka’s Series Victory: With this win, Sri Lanka secured a 2-0 series victory, marking their first bilateral ODI series win against India in 27 years.
- Wellalage’s Five-Wicket Haul: Dunith Wellalage was the standout performer, claiming 5 wickets for 27 runs, which played a crucial role in dismantling the Indian batting order.
- Riyan Parag’s Debut: Riyan Parag had a memorable ODI debut, taking 3 wickets, including the crucial dismissal of Avishka Fernando, who was four runs short of a century.
- Sri Lanka’s Batting Resilience: Avishka Fernando’s 96 and Kusal Mendis’s 59 were instrumental in setting a competitive total for Sri Lanka.
- India’s Batting Struggles: India’s middle order once again failed to deliver, with key players like Virat Kohli (20) and Shubman Gill (6) falling cheaply.
- Rohit Sharma’s Effort: Rohit Sharma’s 35 gave India a solid start, but his dismissal triggered a collapse that India couldn’t recover from.
- Series Context: This loss marks India’s first bilateral ODI series defeat against Sri Lanka since 1997, a significant moment in Sri Lankan cricket history.
As Sri Lanka celebrates this historic series win, India will need to reflect on their batting woes and middle-order instability. The series defeat, especially under the new head coach Gautam Gambhir, raises questions about the team’s approach and readiness in challenging conditions.
