SL vs IND | Twitter reacts to Wellalage and Avishka heroic decimate India in epic series clinch

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Sri Lanka defeated India by 110 runs in the third ODI to clinch the three-match ODI series 2-0. Avishka Fernando’s 96 coupled with Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka’s spark was backed by Dunith Wellalage’s fifer as Sri Lanka fold India for 138, earning an ODI series win against them after 27 years.

Winning their third straight toss in the ODI series, Charith Asalanka, the Sri Lanka captain continued with the approach to bat first. Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando opted for a watchful approach against Mohammed Siraj and Shiva Dube before milking their way against Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav. With regular boundaries amidst strike rotation, the pair chalked up 89 runs opening stand before Axar Patel removed Nissanka to draw the first blood. Subsequently, Kusal Mendis held the fort with Avishka, consolidating an 82-run second-wicket stand with a measured approach against the Indian spinners. As Avishka approached to 96 with a boundary towards deep mid-wicket, Riyan Parag had the last laugh by trapping him plumb in front. He followed up with another wicket of Charith Asalanka, followed by Siraj removing Sadeera Samarawickrama for a golden duck. Subsequently, Sundar and Parag outsmarted Janith Liyange and Dunith Wellalage before Kamindu Mendis’ quickfire steered Sri Lanka to 248/7 in 50 overs.

India kicked off the chase with a similar approach as Rohit Sharma attacked the new ball while Shubman Gill intended to shepherd the chase. However, the latter succumbed to the building dot ball pressure followed by Virat Kohli joining the Indian captain. The introduction of Dunith Wellalage led to Rohit Sharma’s departure followed by Maheesh Theekshana inducing a stumping of Rishabh Pant. With 67 runs in the first powerplay, Kohli, Axar Patel, and Shreyas Iyer fell prey to Wellalage’s spin deception. Jeffrey Vandersay epitomized the pressure on India by cleaning up Riyan Parag with the score reading 100/7 in 16 overs. In no time, Sivam Dube departed before Washington Sundar produced a few lusty blows with Kuldeep Yadav playing similar to a nightwatchman’s knock at the other end. However, the spark didn’t last long as Sundar and Kuldeep departed on consecutive balls with Wellalage claiming a fifer. Eventually, India beat Sri Lanka by 110 runs and won the series 2-0.

Great loss

Fisrt time

Failure

Humiliating defeat

Tough to watch

Streak end

Overall poor

Fan mood

Tough target

Not a good start

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