Sri Lanka has achieved a historic victory in cricket by winning their first bilateral one-day international (ODI) series against India in 27 years. In the third and decisive match held in Colombo, Sri Lanka secured a commanding 110-run win, marking a 2-0 series triumph.
Key highlights from the match:
– **Avishka Fernando’s Contribution:** Opener Avishka Fernando played a pivotal role, scoring 96 runs, helping Sri Lanka post a total of 248-7.
– **Dunith Wellalage’s Performance:** Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage was instrumental in dismantling India’s batting lineup, taking 5 wickets for 27 runs, which led to India being bowled out for 138 in just 26.1 overs.
The series victory is significant for Sri Lanka as:
– It ended a 27-year wait for a bilateral ODI series win over India, with their last win dating back to August 1997.
– Sri Lanka had not won any of the 13 bilateral series against India since then, with India winning 11 and drawing 2.
Sri Lanka’s success in this series comes under the leadership of their new captain Charith Asalanka and interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya. Asalanka attributed the victory to positive changes in the team environment and strategy, highlighting the coach’s impactful role.
Despite India’s dominance in the recent Twenty20 series, where they won 3-0, they could not replicate their success in the ODI format.
Sri Lanka’s performance:
– **Top Scores:** Apart from Fernando’s 96, Kusal Mendis contributed significantly with 59 runs off 82 balls, guiding the team to a defendable total.
– **Key Bowling Figures:** Wellalage’s 5-27 was crucial in India’s collapse, with notable dismissals including Indian captain Rohit Sharma (35) and star batter Virat Kohli (20).
This series win marks a promising start for Sri Lanka’s cricket team under their new leadership, providing a morale boost and setting a positive tone for future matches.
