Not solely that, the Indian batting lineup additionally struggled immensely towards Sri Lankan spinners all through the three-match ODI sequence, shedding a document 27 wickets to spin throughout the three-match sequence, essentially the most by any workforce in a bilateral ODI sequence (most three matches).
After profitable the toss and opting to bat, Sri Lanka’s openers set a robust basis. Pathum Nissanka scored 45 runs, whereas Avishka Fernando‘s 96 off 102 balls anchored the innings.
Fernando, alongside Kusal Mendis, who added 59 runs, helped Sri Lanka put up a aggressive complete of 248/7. Though Fernando narrowly missed out on a century, his knock earned him the ‘Participant of the Match’ award. Riyan Parag led the Indian bowling effort, taking three wickets for 54 runs.
India’s chase faltered early, with skipper Rohit Sharma‘s quickfire 35 being the one notable resistance on the high. Sri Lanka’s spinners, led by Dunith Wellalage, dismantled India’s batting order in a spin-friendly wicket.
Wellalage claimed 5 wickets in a 5.1-over spell, together with the essential scalp of Sharma. Washington Sundar supplied some resistance with 30 runs, however his dismissal by Maheesh Theekshana within the 26th over extinguished India’s hopes.
The match ended swiftly, with Wellalage taking the ultimate wicket of Kuldeep Yadav, wrapping up India’s innings for a paltry 138 in simply 26.1 overs. Sri Lanka’s dominant spin assault, complemented by contributions from Theekshana, Wellalage, and Jeffrey Vandersay, sealed a memorable sequence win, Lanka’s first since 1997.
