Sri Lanka thrashes India in 3rd ODI, Wins by 110 Runs
Sri Lanka pulled off a commanding performance, winning the third and final ODI against India on August 7, 2024, by 110 runs. After batting first, Sri Lanka posted a challenging total of 248 runs that India failed to chase down, collapsing for just 138 runs in 26.1 overs. With the win, Sri Lanka took the ODI series 2-1.
Sri Lanka Batting Highlights
Sri Lanka did get off to a good start as Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando provided them with a strong opening stand. While Nissanka played an honorable knock of 45 runs off 65 balls, Fernando did play an extremely commendable knock of 96 runs from 102 balls that saw nine fours and two sixes.
Kusal Mendis also batted well for his 59 off 82 balls, as despite falling a few early wickets, he held the innings together. Though Nissanka fell early, the Sri Lankan batting lineup made a strong comeback in the game. The team recovered well with substantial partnerships forged ahead. It was Fernando’s brilliant display in front that was to be the backbone of the innings. Charith Asalanka, the captain, who struggled in a short stay at the crease, was finally cleaned up for 10 runs.
Sri Lanka did suffer a minor collapse when the wickets of Sadeera Samarawickrama and Janith Liyanage fell in quick succession. However, Kamindu Mendis provided some late runs with an unfinished 23 off 19 balls. All in all, the Sri Lankan innings ended at 248 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs.
Key Batting Performances
Avishka Fernando 96 runs off 102 balls
Kusal Mendis 59 runs off 82 balls
Pathum Nissanka 45 runs off 65 balls
Indian Bowling Analysis
It turned out to be a mixed day for India’s bowling attack, with Riyan Parag turning out to be the star, returning figures of 3/54 in nine overs. There was one wicket each from Mohammad Siraj, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav. Else, the rest of the bowling was pretty insipid and had nothing against the Lankan batsmen—more so with Avishka Fernando ruling the roost in that innings.
Bowling Figures
Riyan Parag: 9 overs, 54 runs, 3 wickets
Mohammed Siraj: 9 overs, 78 runs, 1 wicket
Axar Patel: 10 overs, 41 runs, 1 wicket
India’s Struggle with the Bat
Chasing 249 runs, pressure mounted on the Indian batting, which fell apart for 138 runs. On the other hand, though, the Indian innings did get off to a bright start with skipper Rohit Sharma active in his 35 runs off 20 balls; the hunger to attack was visible. However, his fall saw the batting just fall apart as partnerships became hard to build up with the falling wickets in clusters.
Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli failed to make use of their starts, and both 6 and 20 runs respectively, while Pant and Shreyas Iyer were out cheaply for 6 and 8 respectively. It was more than obvious as the middle order just collapsed with India losing six wickets for 37 runs at one point in the game.
Dunith Wellalage was the star bowler for Sri Lanka, returning figures of 5/27 in 5.1 overs that flattened the Indian batting lineup. Besides him, Jeffrey Vandersay chipped in with two wickets, and Maheesh Theekshana mopped up two crucial scalps to ensure India’s downfall even more.
Key Batting Performances
Rohit Sharma: 35 runs off 20 balls
Virat Kohli: 20 runs off 18 balls
Washington Sundar: 30 runs off 25 balls
Conclusion
It is an all-round performance where solid batting is matched with a devastating bowling attack that sealed the deal comprehensively in favor of Sri Lanka over India. Avishka Fernando’s near century and Dunith Wellalage’s five-wicket haul really set things in stone with regard to Sri Lanka’s potential going into future contests. And the Indian team shall have to work on the inconsistencies of batting and how to come back in upcoming series.
This series of ODIs was a pointer toward the strengths and weaknesses of both teams and only proved that there is still more such breathtaking confrontations in store for fans in international cricket.
Read more about related article, just click here
