Asia Cup: SL vs IND Review – Colombo carnival puts India in final

India put on a mammoth 356/2 in their 50 overs in Colombo on Monday, September 11. However, the conditions changed massively on the following day at the same venue. Runs came at a premium in the India versus Sri Lanka clash.

Assessing the nature of the pitch, India brought in Axar Patel in place of Shardul Thakur and opted to bat first after winning the toss. They got off to a great start thanks to a blistering half-century from Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill was the first batter to be dismissed with 80 runs on the board in 11.1 overs. Rohit also departed for 53 off 48 in the 14th over. He was bowled by Dunith Wellalage off a ball that kept really low.

Virat Kohli departed for three before Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul put on a much-needed partnership of 61 runs for the fourth wicket. Rahul was dismissed for a well-compiled 39 off 44 balls by Wellalage. The 20-year-old was absolutely sensational as he finished with figures of 5/40 in 10 overs.

Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka judged the conditions to a nicety and introduced the part-time off-spin of Charith Asalanka. The 26-year-old went through India’s lower-order to finish with a four-for. After Kishan departed for a patient 61-ball 33, Axar added some important runs with the tailender to help India get past the 200-run mark.

Chasing 214 for a win, the home side lost their openers cheaply. Kusal Mendis was outfoxed by a Jasprit Bumrah slower delivery. From 25/3, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Asalanka stitched a 43-run partnership to steady the ship. However, a lapse in concentration from the former resulted in his downfall as Kuldeep picked up his first wicket. Asalanka also departed in quick succession as the hosts were reeling at 73/5.

To make matters worse, their out-of-form captain Shanaka also perished with 115 runs still to get. Dhananjaya de Silva and Wellalage forged a fine partnership to bring the Lankan Lions back in the chase. However, the tailenders couldn’t provide enough support for Wellalage, who stayed unbeaten on 42. India won by 41 runs to end the 13-match winning streak of Sri Lanka.

Best batter of the match

Rohit Sharma: The experienced batter looked in a great shape today. Rohit started the innings well with Gill, but as soon as Gill along with Kohli fell, the captain took the onus on himself. He smashed 53 runs of 48 balls with the help of 7 fours and 2 sixes. The captain also completed his 51st ODI fifty to take India to a respectable total.

Best bowler of the match

Dunith Wellalage: It is not often the same player would bag the honours but so good was Wellalage’s class on the day that he won the Player of the Match despite being on the losting side. The youngster is touted as one of the brightest prospects in Sri Lankan cricket. The conditions were in favour of the spinners but he deserves credit for consistently hitting the right lines and lengths and reaping the rewards for it. He finished with career-best figures of 5/40, his first five-wicket haul in international cricket.

What’s next for both teams?

India play Bangladesh on September 15 ahead of the finale while Sri Lanka will be up against Pakistan on the previous day, on September 14.