Wellalage's 5-27 guides SL to beat India by 110 runs, win series 2-0

(Colombo) - After enduring a 3-0 whitewash in the T20I series, Sri Lanka scripted a remarkable turnaround on Wednesday in the final ODI of the three-match series by defeating India by 110 runs, ending their 27-year drought for a bilateral series win against India.

Despite missing several of their main fast bowlers due to injuries, Sri Lanka's spin bowlers, particularly Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Charith Asalanka, stepped up and bowled remarkably well during the series. Sri Lanka's bowlers managed to bowl India out in just 26.1 overs in the final ODI, winning the series 2-0 at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. 

The ODI series began with Sri Lanka tying the first match and securing a brilliant 32-run victory in the second ODI. The series was challenging for India, who lost all three tosses and had to chase in each game. The conditions were tough, and India's decision not to pick enough spinners in the first two games added to their difficulties. They did pick four spinners for the last ODI, but Sri Lanka still managed to secure their biggest win of the series.

This ODI series win is particularly significant for Sri Lanka's skipper Charith Asalanka and Interim Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya, who guided the team for the first time. Young all-rounder Dunith Wellalage, who played a crucial role in the tied first ODI, delivered a match-winning spell in the final game, taking five crucial wickets.

Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who stepped in for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga in the 2nd ODI and was instrumental in winning that match by claiming six crucial wickets, also took 2 wickets in the final ODI.

Sri Lanka's skipper Charith Asalanka won the toss for the third time in a row and elected to bat first in the 3rd ODI. 

Opener Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis hit half-centuries to help Sri Lanka post 248-7 against India on a tricky batting surface. Fernando made 96 and put on big partnerships, including an 89-run opening stand with Pathum Nissanka, who scored 45, to lay the foundations for Sri Lanka in Colombo.

India's bowlers were led by debutant Riyan Parag, an off-spin bowler, who took three wickets. Parag took the key wicket of Fernando before the Sri Lankan middle-order faltered. Kusal Mendis stood firm from one end, boosting the total with his 59 before departing in the 49th over off Kuldeep Yadav.

India, led by Rohit Sharma, needed 249 to save the series after suffering batting collapses in the first two matches. 

However, Sri Lankan fast bowler Asitha Fernando and Wellalage dismissed Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill inside the first powerplay. From there, Wellalage and Mahesh Theekshana did not let the Indian batsmen settle.

Wellalage dismissed Kuldeep Yadav lbw as the last wicket to secure a historic 110-run victory, marking Sri Lanka's first bilateral series win against India since 1997.

With 27 wickets in the series, the Sri Lankan spinners posed the biggest threat for India. This is the most number of wickets India have lost to spinners in a bilateral ODI series. The previous highest was the 19 they had lost to Pakistan back in 1996.

This is also the most wickets Sri Lankan spinners have taken in a bilateral ODI series of no more than three games.

In fact, the 43 wickets that fell to spin in this series are the most in a bilateral series of three matches or fewer.

Avishka Fernando won the Player of the Match award, while Dunith Wellalage was named Player of the Series.

Wellalage thanked skipper Asalanka, his teammates, the coaching staff, and everyone who supported him. "The wicket was turning, so we adjusted accordingly. The pitch in the final match was similar, and we made fewer mistakes," he said.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged that Sri Lanka played better and emphasized the need to address several areas of improvement rather than focus on positives.

"We need to go back and look at what we need to do when we come up against conditions like this. Losing the series doesn't mean the end of the world. These guys have been playing very well over the past few years, very consistent. You will lose the odd series," Sharma said.

Charith Asalanka praised his team's performance throughout the series. "We all knew they have a very strong batting line-up, and we just wanted to back our strength, which is spin bowling. Yes, the batters struggled a bit, but if you want to win a series, you need to do things like this. We are in a really good mood right now, especially our coach. He made a few changes in the team, and the boys really enjoyed the team environment."

Pix: Pradeep Dilrukshana