After getting thoroughly clobbered in the T20I series, losing 3-0, Sri Lanka decided to flip the script and pulled off a legendary comeback on Wednesday. They obliterated India in the final ODI by a staggering 110 runs, achieving their first bilateral series victory over India in 27 years. The scene was R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, where dreams came true, and Indian wickets fell like dominoes.
Despite having more injuries than a soap opera character, Sri Lanka’s spinners, particularly Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Charith Asalanka, spun circles around the Indian batsmen. These spinners were on fire, like they had a personal vendetta against stumps. In just 26.1 overs, they packed India’s batting line-up and sent them packing, securing a 2-0 series win. Who needs fast bowlers, right?
The ODI series kicked off with a thrilling tie in the first match, which was followed by a nerve-wracking 32-run victory for Sri Lanka in the second ODI. India, bless their hearts, found themselves constantly chasing both runs and luck, losing all three tosses and getting tangled up in Sri Lanka’s spin web. Their initial decision to leave out enough spinners was like bringing a butter knife to a sword fight, and even after adding four spinners in the final match, Sri Lanka handed them their most brutal defeat.
Extra Sweet
This victory was extra sweet for Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka and Interim Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya, both playing the leadership game for the first time. Young all-rounder Dunith Wellalage was the star, delivering a spellbinding performance in the final game, snapping up five key wickets like they were on sale at a discount store.
Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, standing in for the injured Hasaranga, was no slouch either. He picked up six wickets in the second ODI, followed by two more in the grand finale. Asalanka’s decision to bat first after winning the toss in the third ODI was spot on. Opener Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis were in stellar form, hitting half-centuries and helping Sri Lanka post a total of 248-7 on a pitch that seemed to have a mind of its own. Fernando, nearly hitting a century with 96 runs, created partnerships that left the Indian bowlers scratching their heads.
India, led by Rohit Sharma, needed 249 runs to save face but crumbled faster than a cookie in milk. Sri Lankan bowlers Asitha Fernando and Wellalage got rid of Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill early on. Wellalage and Mahesh Theekshana then tore through the middle and lower order, with Wellalage trapping Kuldeep Yadav lbw for the final wicket, sealing a historic 110-run triumph.
Sri Lankan spinners were the real MVPs, taking 27 wickets across the series—the most by any team against India in a bilateral ODI series. This also set a new record for the most wickets to fall to spin in a three-match bilateral series, with a staggering 43 wickets in total.
Avishka Fernando was named Player of the Match, while Dunith Wellalage walked away with Player of the Series honors. Wellalage credited his captain, teammates, and coaching staff for their strategic brilliance on turning wickets.
Superior Performance
Indian captain Rohit Sharma graciously acknowledged Sri Lanka’s superior performance and stressed the need for his team to get their act together in challenging conditions. Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka praised his team’s resilience and highlighted the positive vibes and strategic wizardry brought by their coach, Sanath Jayasuriya.
After this thrilling series, Sri Lanka showed they are not just back in the game; they’re ready to spin circles around anyone who dares to challenge them
