In a gripping encounter in the Asia Cup Super Four, the Indian cricket team faced a challenging day against Sri Lanka as left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage proved to be the hero for the island nation as India were bowled out for 213 at the R.Premedasa Stadium.
Opting to bat first, the Indian openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, initially set a promising tone with an 80-run partnership. However, Wellalage orchestrated a brilliant comeback, dismantling the Indian top order with quick wickets.
Skipper Rohit Sharma contributed 53 runs from 49 balls, while Shubman Gill managed 19. Virat Kohli, who was a centurion in the previous match, struggled to find his rhythm, scoring a sluggish 3 runs from 12 balls.
Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul took charge in an attempt to revive India’s innings, but Sri Lanka’s spinners continued to apply pressure, taking wickets at regular intervals. Kishan managed a gritty 33 runs from 61 balls, while Rahul posted 39 off 44 balls.
Dunith Wellalage, who secured his first five-wicket haul in international cricket. His impressive figures of 5/40 helped Sri Lanka gain the upper hand and restrict India’s total.
As the pitch was favouring spinners, Charith Asalanka also rubbed his shoulders and took four wickets. India were all out of 213 with Axar Patel (26) losing his wicket off Mahesh Theekshana.
India: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana.
Both teams have won their first game of the Super 4. Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 21 runs while India outclassed Pakistan by 228 runs.
