Sri Lanka has secured a historic series win over India with a decisive 110-run victory in the third and final ODI of their series, held on Wednesday, August 7, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. This victory is notable as it marks Sri Lanka's first bilateral ODI series win over India since 1997, underlining a significant achievement in their cricketing history.
The match began with Sri Lanka winning the toss and choosing to bat first. Their decision proved fruitful as they posted a competitive total of 248 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 50 overs. The innings were anchored by Avishka Fernando, who delivered an exceptional performance, scoring 96 runs off 102 balls. Fernando's innings were marked by impressive shot selection and consistent scoring, though he narrowly missed out on his fourth ODI century. Pathum Nissanka also played a crucial role, contributing 45 runs before being dismissed by Axar Patel. Following Nissanka’s departure, Fernando and Kusal Mendis, who added 59 runs from 82 balls, built on the foundation laid, with Mendis hitting four boundaries. Riyan Parag, making his ODI debut, took three wickets for 54 runs, providing key breakthroughs for India.
When it came time for India to chase the target, their innings fell apart under the pressure of Sri Lanka’s bowlers. The Indian batting lineup, which had shown promise, struggled against the Sri Lankan spin attack. The innings started positively with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill putting together a 37-run stand for the first wicket. However, Gill was dismissed by Asitha Fernando for a modest score of 6 runs from 14 balls, and Rohit Sharma was out shortly thereafter to Dunith Wellalage. Wellalage’s spell was pivotal as he claimed 5 wickets for just 27 runs in 5.1 overs, dismantling India’s middle order.Â
Rishabh Pant's dismissal was particularly notable, as he was stumped unconventionally, stepping out of his crease in an attempt to accelerate the scoring, which proved to be a costly decision. Virat Kohli, who has been a cornerstone of India's batting lineup, was dismissed lbw for the third consecutive time in the series, struggling to read the spin of the ball. The remainder of the Indian batting order crumbled under the spin attack, leading to their all-out score of 138 runs in just 26.1 overs.
Sri Lanka’s comprehensive win highlighted their effective strategy and execution, particularly in exploiting spin-friendly conditions. This victory not only secures their series win but also demonstrates their ability to compete successfully on the international stage. For India, this series serves as a stark reminder of the challenges they face in adapting to varying conditions and the need for enhanced preparation and strategic adjustments in future series.
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