On This Day: Sri Lanka Humble India in Historic ODI Series Win

It was a major setback for the Indian team, especially under their new head coach, Gautam Gambhir. The final match saw India struggle badly with the bat and ball. Let’s take a closer look at how the match unfolded and what led to this surprising result for the Indian side.

India vs Sri Lanka: 3rd ODI on 7th August 2024

Sri Lanka delivered a crushing 110-run victory over India in the 3rd ODI at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium on August 7, 2024, clinching their first ODI series win against India in 27 years. The day-night match saw Sri Lanka dominate with a disciplined batting performance and a devastating spin attack, securing a 2-0 series triumph. The pitch, offering a sharp turn, played into Sri Lanka’s strengths, while India faltered under pressure.

Sri Lanka’s Innings

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat, posting 248/7 in their 50 overs to set India a target of 249. Their innings was built on a strong opening partnership, a dazzling knock from Avishka Fernando, and a steady effort from Kusal Mendis, with a late charge ensuring a competitive total on a spin-friendly surface. The innings kicked off with openers Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando giving Sri Lanka a flying start. They stitched together an 89-run stand for the first wicket, laying a solid foundation. Nissanka played with calm precision, scoring 45 runs off 65 balls.

His knock featured five crisp boundaries and two lofted sixes, as he worked the ball into gaps and capitalized on anything loose. Nissanka looked set for a big score until the 19.5th over, when Axar Patel got one to grip and turn, drawing an edge that Rishabh Pant snapped up behind the stumps. His contribution ensured Sri Lanka cruised through the first powerplay, scoring 41 runs without loss. Avishka Fernando took charge after Nissanka’s exit, playing a sensational innings of 96 off 102 balls. His knock was a blend of caution and flair, with nine fours and two sixes.

Fernando reached his half-century off 65 balls, showing his ability to rotate the strike while punishing wayward deliveries. He shared an 82-run partnership with Kusal Mendis for the second wicket, pushing Sri Lanka past 100 runs in 23.4 overs. Fernando’s performance was the cornerstone of the innings, earning him the Player of the Match award. His quest for a century ended in the 35.3rd over, when debutant Riyan Parag trapped him lbw with a delivery that stayed low, leaving Sri Lanka at 171/2.

Kusal Mendis played a vital anchoring role, scoring 59 off 82 balls with four boundaries. His steady approach kept the innings on track, especially after Fernando’s departure. Mendis reached his fifty off 77 balls, guiding Sri Lanka to 150 runs in 30.6 overs. But the hosts hit a rough patch as India’s bowlers fought back. Captain Charith Asalanka came in at No. 4 and scored a quick 10 off 12 balls, including a six, before Parag struck again in the 37.6th over, pinning him lbw. Sri Lanka’s DRS review failed, as the ball was shown to be hitting the stumps. In the next over, Sadeera Samarawickrama fell for a duck, trapped lbw by Mohammed Siraj. India’s successful DRS review left Sri Lanka at 184/4 after 38.5 overs, under pressure.

Janith Liyanage struggled to find his rhythm, scoring 8 off 12 balls before Washington Sundar bowled him in the 42.4th over with a ball that spun sharply. Dunith Wellalage, better known for his bowling, managed 2 off 3 balls before Parag rattled his stumps in the 43.3rd over. At 199/6, Sri Lanka needed a lift, and Kamindu Mendis delivered with an unbeaten 23 off 19 balls. His spirited knock, including a six, pushed the total past 240. Maheesh Theekshana, unbeaten on 3 off 4 balls, supported Kamindu as Sri Lanka closed at 248/7. The final powerplay from 40.1-50 overs added 60 runs for three wickets, with Kamindu’s aggression proving crucial.

Mendis showed resilience in the 48.4th over, surviving an lbw appeal via DRS, only to fall later to Kuldeep Yadav, caught by Shubman Gill. India’s bowling was led by Riyan Parag, who shone with 3 wickets for 54 runs in 9 overs, breaking key partnerships. Kuldeep Yadav was tidy, taking 1 for 36, while Washington Sundar claimed 1 for 29. Axar Patel picked up 1 for 41, but Mohammed Siraj struggled, conceding 78 runs for one wicket. Shivam Dube bowled tightly, giving away just 9 runs in 4 overs without a wicket and Sri Lanka’s batting showed depth and adaptability, setting a target that would challenge India on a turning pitch.

India’s Innings

Chasing 249, India’s batting collapsed against Sri Lanka’s spinners, bowled out for 138 in 26.1 overs. Captain Rohit Sharma provided a blazing start, and Washington Sundar offered late resistance, but the middle order crumbled under the pressure of Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, and Jeffrey Vandersay, leading to a crushing defeat. India’s chase began with fireworks from Rohit Sharma, who attacked from the first ball. He smashed 35 off 20 balls, including six fours and a six, setting a blistering pace.

His intent powered India to 50 runs in 6.6 overs during the first powerplay (0.1-10 overs), which yielded 67 runs for three wickets. But Shubman Gill’s early dismissal in the 4.3rd over, bowled by Asitha Fernando for 6, slowed their momentum. Rohit’s exit in the 7.1st over, caught by Kusal Mendis off Wellalage, was a massive blow, leaving India at 53/2. Rishabh Pant, back in ODIs, struggled to settle, scoring 6 off 9 balls before Theekshana stumped him in the 9.2nd over, reducing India to 63/3.

The middle order had no answer to Wellalage’s spin. Virat Kohli showed brief intent, scoring 20 off 18 balls with four boundaries, but was trapped lbw by Wellalage in the 10.5th over. India’s DRS review failed, as the ball was hitting the stumps. Axar Patel managed just 2 off 7 balls before Wellalage got him in the 12.1st over with a delivery that turned sharply, and Shreyas Iyer tried to fight back, scoring 8 off 7 balls, but was pinned lbw by Wellalage in the 12.5th over. Another failed DRS review left India at 82/6, with their hopes fading fast.

Riyan Parag and Shivam Dube attempted to rebuild, with Parag scoring 15 off 13 balls and Dube making 9 off 14. Both fell to Jeffrey Vandersay, who bowled with control to claim 2 wickets for 34 runs. At the drinks break in the 15th over, India were 96/6, staring at defeat, and Washington Sundar provided a spark, scoring a gutsy 30 off 25 balls with two fours and three sixes. His defiance kept India alive briefly, but he was caught off Theekshana in the 25.6th over, ending any realistic chance. Kuldeep Yadav, batting at No. 10, scored 6 off 30 balls before Wellalage trapped him lbw in the 26.1st over, wrapping up the innings at No. 10. 138.

Dunith Wellalage was the standout, earning Player of the Series honours with a sensational 5/27 in 5.1 overs. His ability to exploit the turning pitch was unmatched. Maheesh Theekshana took 2 for 45, while Jeffrey Vandersay claimed 2 for 34. Asitha Fernando picked up 1 for 29, and captain Charith Asalanka bowled 3 overs for just 2 runs. Sri Lanka’s spinners dominated, cementing their historic triumph, and the whole team celebrated with the ODI Trophy.