SL win their first ODI series against India since 1997
Sri Lanka claimed a 2-0 ODI series win over India after beating them in the third and final match. The Lankans successfully defended 248/7, having bowled out India for 138. Spinner Dunith Wellalage decimated India with a five-wicket haul. Earlier, Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis laid the foundation for SL's win. Notably, SL have won their maiden ODI series against India since 1997.
SL recover after another middle-order collapse
SL ran away with an 89-run opening stand after electing to bat first. While Pathum Nissanka (45) departed, Fernando and Kusal propelled SL past 170. However, the Indian spinners, including debutant Riyan Parag, reduced SL to 199/6. The Lankan batters succumbed to spin this phase. Riyan took three wickets, while Kusal and Kamindu Mendis (23*) helped the visitors reach 248 in 50 overs.
India struggle against spinners
India yet again started well as openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill added 37 runs, though the latter departed for 6(14). Rohit, who made a counter-attack, fell to Dunith Wellalage with another rash stroke. Quick dismissals of Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli, Axar Patel, and Shreyas Iyer meant India were down to 98/6. Washington Sundar's fine 25-ball 30 couldn't bail India out.
Fernando shows his class in first half
Unlike the previous few games, SL's opening pair negotiated the Indian bowlers early in the match. Although both Fernando and Nissanka were scoring run-a-ball, the duo was unscathed. Fernando lost Nissanka after accumulating 89 runs but continued with his exploits. He took SL past 170 along with Kusal before falling to Riyan. Fernando slammed 9 fours and 2 sixes in his 102-ball 96.
SL's opening stand finally strikes
As per Cricbuzz, this was the first instance of SL recording a double-figure opening stand against in seven ODIs. Fernando's opening partner Nissanka scored a 65-ball 45 (5 fours and 2 sixes).
Kusal slams his 30th ODI fifty
Kusal Mendis added 82 runs along with Fernando to get SL past 170. However, the Lankans slumped from 171/1 to 199/6 in the middle overs. Kusal, who at one stage struggled to score, stood tall and tallied an 82-ball 59. His knock included just 4 boundaries. Kusal recorded his 30th half-century in ODI cricket. He also has three tons in the format.
Kusal races to 2,000 ODI runs at home
As per ESPNcricinfo, Kusal has raced to 2,000 ODI runs at 38.46 in home conditions. He reached the landmark in his 59th ODI appearance at home. It is worth noting that 18 of his fifty-plus scores have come on home soil.
Riyan takes three-fer on ODI debut
Riyan, a handy off-spinner, came in as India's fourth-change bowler in the first innings. He broke the 82-run third-wicket stand between Fernando and Kusal by dismissing the former. Riyan sent back SL skipper Charith Asalanka in the same before knocking over Dunith Wellalage. However, the Indian spinner leaked 54 runs in nine overs. Riyan was the only Indian bowler who took over two wickets.
SL script history in Colombo
As mentioned, Sri Lanka have claimed their maiden ODI series win over India in 27 years. The Lankans last beat India (ODI series) in 1997. The hosts had already broken India's streak of winning 10 consecutive ODI series against the Lankans (two-plus matches). Besides, India are still in pursuit of their 100th win against SL in the 50-over format.
SL upset India with two ODI wins
An injury-ravaged Sri Lanka were down and out after losing the T20I series 3-0. However, they bounced back in the 1st ODI, enforcing a famous tie from a losing spot. SL then defended totals of less than 250 runs in next two games.
India succumb to Wellalage's brilliance
Wellalage gave Sri Lanka impetus after dismissing Indian skipper Rohit, who looked dangerous. Maheesh Theekshana soon sent back Pant, while Wellalage stopped Kohli from going big. Wellalage then dismissed Axar and Shreyas in back-to-back overs. Kuldeep Yadav was his final wicket of the day. The Lankan spinner conceded just 27 runs in 5.1 overs. He was later adjudged the Player of the Series.
First-ever spinner with multiple ODI fifers against India
Wellalage has become the first spinner to take multiple five-wicket hauls against India in ODI cricket. The Lankan spinner became the talk of the town for his heroics against India in the 2023 Asia Cup. He took five wickets for 40 runs in 10 overs before scoring 42*(46). Notably, both these fifers of Wellalage came in Colombo.
Rohit attains these feats in ODIs
Although Rohit couldn't be India's savior, he reached a couple of significant milestones. With his 14th run, he became the fourth Indian batter to complete 2,000 ODI runs against Sri Lanka. Rohit later became the batter with joint-second-most sixes in ODIs. He equaled West Indies legend Chris Gayle's tally of 331 maximums in the format. They are only behind Pakistan's Shahid Afridi (351).
Spinners trouble India
India lost as many as 27 wickets to spin, the most by a team in a bilateral ODI series (minimum three matches). As per Cricbuzz, India lost 22 wickets to spin against Pakistan in the 1996 five-ODI series in Toronto. Interestingly, India lost nine wickets each to spin in the three games in the Sri Lanka ODI series.
