The first ODI match of the India vs Sri Lanka (IND vs SL) series was tied last Friday. To win the series, both camps had to win today’s match. The Lankans stopped India by performing brilliantly as they entered the field in search of success. A few days ago, the Sri Lankans were whitewashed in the T20 series.
Team India was the favorite in the ODI series as well. But Welalaghe, Ashalankara, who came to the field with the determination not to give up the lead in the Bian battle, got the benefit of it today at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Coach Sanath Jayasuriya gave Jeffrey Vanders a chance in today’s XI. That decision proved to be a masterstroke at the end of the day. He broke India’s batting with 6 wickets alone. Chasing 241, Team India was bowled out for 208 runs.
Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat today. The day did not start well for them. When the number of runs on the scoreboard is zero, the in-form Pathum Nishanka returns. Mohammed Siraj took the wicket with the first ball. However, Team India had to burn a lot of wood to take the second wicket. Kushal Mendis and Avishka Fernando stood up with the bat. Finally, their pair broke in the 17th over. Washington Sunder became the killer.
Avishka Fernando made 40 off 62 balls. Washington pushed again in his next over. Kushal Mendis returned with a personal score of 30 runs. Sri Lanka was under a bit of pressure after losing two ‘set’ batters. Samaravikrama, Janith Lienage no run. Charith Ashalanka was the third victim of Washington with 25.
Sri Lanka lost 6 wickets for only 136 runs. But the Indian bowling attack could not sustain the pressure thereafter. In the last match, Dunith Wellalage stood as a shield with Hasaranga. Hasaranga was not present today due to injury. Kamindu Mendis got a partner in Welalag. When he returns after playing an innings of 39 runs off 35 balls, the scoreboard is 208. Even then, Mendis continued to fight. He formed a partnership of 31 runs with Akila Dhananjay.
In the fiftieth over, Shreyas Iyer was run out by a fast throw for 40 runs. Dhananjay was also run out for 15 off 13 balls. It was the lower order that added an extra 104 runs to Sri Lanka’s scoreboard today. For India, Kuldeep got 2 wickets, and Akshar, and Siraj got 1 wicket each.
Team India snacking on Wunders’ whirlwind
The target of 241 runs was in front of India. Like the last match, Rohit Sharma started at a stormy pace. Even today, the hitman made it clear that he is not moving away from his ‘selfless’ avatar. He was seen batting aggressively from the beginning of the innings. On the other side, Shubman Gill was also batting positively today. When the young opener was dismissed for 35 off 44 balls, India were 97 on the scoreboard.
Many assumed that the ‘Men in Blue’ were on their way to an easy victory, but perhaps no one had such an early warning of the tornado that Jeffrey Vanderse would appear in Colombo’s twenty-two yards. Had Hasaranga been fit, he might not have played today. But the 34-year-old leg-spinner made use of the ‘fallen’ opportunity and became a superstar.
He started by returning Shubman. Then one by one, Rohit (64), Shivam Dubey (0), Virat Kohli (14, Shreyas Iyer (7), and KL Rahul (0) were sent to the sack. Team India’s dream of winning the series was shattered by his dream spell. 33 in 10 overs. 6 wickets were lost by 97/0. Akshar Patel and Washington Sundar were the killers. Washington (15) and Mohammad Siraj pushed Team India to the brink. As soon as Arshdeep was run out, Gambhir faced defeat at the beginning of the innings.
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