The third One-Day International in Colombo on Wednesday, Sri Lanka defeated India by 110 runs to seize a decisive 2-0 lead in the three-match series. After a dramatic tie in the first ODI, the hosts went on to win the second by 32 runs. India started brightly again in the chase for 249, but fell apart against the island nation’s spinners, especially Dunith Wellalage (5.1-0-27-5), who spearheaded the attack. In 26.1 overs, India was bowled out for 138, with Washington Sundar (30) and captain Rohit Sharma (35) fighting it out alone. All-rounder Riyan Parag earlier took 3 for 54 on his debut, but Sri Lanka still managed a challenging 248 for 7, thanks to well-compiled scores of 59 from Kusal Mendis and 96 from Avishka Fernando.
Riyan bowled his off-breaks to deny Fernando a century, which he deserved. There were two sixes and nine fours in his 102-ball inning. Fernando and Pathum Nissanka (45) contributed 89 runs for the first wicket, then Mendis and Fernando added another 82 runs for the second wicket.
For Sri Lanka, winning the series was a huge accomplishment because they hadn’t prevailed in a bilateral ODI series against India since 1997. Maheesh Theekshana admitted as much in his post-match remarks, saying that the outcome further brought attention to the difficulties the Indian team experienced when switching directions.
