Dunith Wellalage Creates History, Becomes 1st Sri Lanka Cricketer To...

Sri Lanka beat India by 110 runs in the third ODI on Wednesday (August 7). After posting a total of 248 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 50 overs at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka dismissed the Rohit Sharma-led side for just 138 runs in 26.1 overs. Spin bowling all-rounder Dunith Wellalage picked up five wickets for 27 runs in 5.1 overs, and two Indian batters each were sent back to the pavilion by Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay.

In the must-win match for India, Wellalage, who scored a half-century in the series opener, accounted for the dismissals of Indian captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Axar Patel, Shreyas Iyer, and Kuldeep Yadav.

By taking five wickets in the third and final ODI of the series, 21-year-old Wellalage, who made his ODI debut for Sri Lanka on June 14, 2022, created history. The youngster became the first Sri Lankan bowler to take two five-wicket hauls in ODIs against India.

Before registering figures of 5 for 27 in Colombo on Wednesday, Wellalage had picked up 5 wickets for 40 runs on September 12, 2023, during the Asia Cup 2023 match against India.

Till date, a total of only two bowlers have managed to take two or more five-wicket hauls in 171 ODIs played between India and Sri Lanka. Former India all-rounder Robin Singh, who played 23 ODIs against Sri Lanka during his 12-year-long international career, also picked up two five-wicket hauls.

First series win in 27 years

The 110-run win over India in the third ODI helped Charith Asalanka’s men create history and become the first Sri Lankan team since 1997 to win an ODI bilateral series against India. For Sri Lanka, opener Avishka Fernando top-scored in the series decider by scoring 96 runs from 102 balls. No. 3 batter Kusal Mendis hammered 59 runs from 82 balls, whereas the other opening batter, Pathum Nissanka, scored 45 runs.

Riyan Parag was the most successful bowler for India in the final match of the tour. On his ODI debut, the 22-year-old Assam cricketer picked up three wickets for 54 runs.