Dunith Wellalage shines versus India, smokes maiden ODI fifty
Young all-rounder Dunith Wellalage smoked a timely fifty for Sri Lanka in the opening ODI against India at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The southpaw smoked an unbeaten 67 off 65 balls as the hosts finished at 230/8 while batting first. This was Wellalage's maiden ODI fifty as it could not have come at a better time. He smoked seven fours and two sixes.
A crucial hand from Wellalage
Four of SL's top-five batters couldn't touch the 15-run mark as Wellalage arrived with the scorecard reading 101/5. The 21-year-old added 41 runs with Janith Liyanage (20) to steady the ship. The southpaw was also involved in brief stands with Wanindu Hasaranga (24) and Akila Dananjaya (17) as the Lankans went past 200. Meanwhile, opener Pathum Nissanka (56) was SL's only other half-centurion.
Maiden fifty for Wellalage
This knock has taken Wellalage's tally to 290 runs across 22 ODI games at 22.30. 152 of his runs have come in six innings versus India at 38. Last year, the left-arm spinner claimed a fifer besides scoring 42* in an Asia Cup match against India. Overall, he owns 23 wickets in the format (ER: 5.34). Meanwhile, Wellalage smoked his sixth List A fifty.
The all-rounder owns this double
The aforementioned Asia Cup game against India saw Wellalage become the fourth Sri Lankan to register the double of a five-wicket haul and 40-plus runs in an ODI. He joined Sanath Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, and Thilan Thushara. Notably, Wellalage also became the first SL player with this double in the ODI Asia Cup.
His rise to prominence
Notably, Wellalage rose to prominence following his all-round exploits at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, where he led Sri Lanka. He scalped 17 wickets (most) from six matches in the tournament at an impressive average of 13.58. The youngster was also prolific with the bat, scoring 264 runs at a decent average of 44, as he ended up as SL's highest run-scorer.
