The third and final ODI between Sri Lanka and India got underway in Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium. Sri Lanka are leading 1-0 and have a great chance to win their first ODI series against India since 1997.
Charith Asalanka, the Sri Lanka captain won the toss and chose to bat first for the third time in the series. Maheesh Theekshana came in for Akila Dhananjaya for Sri Lanka. For India, Rishabh Pant came in for KL Rahul and Riyan Parag made his India ODI debut in place of Arshdeep Singh.
Sri Lanka openers Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando gave a good start to the team, adding 89 runs in 20 overs for the first wicket. Nissanka fell for 45 runs to Akshar Patel, but then Fernando and Kusal Mendis added 82 runs for the second wicket.
But Indian bowlers mounted a brilliant comeback claiming four wickets in no time including Kusal Mendis for 59 in 82 balls. Kamindu Mendis struck 23* to propel Sri Lanka to 248/7 in 50 overs.
However, those figures could’ve been 8 wickets down for Sri Lanka, had Rishabh Pant hadn’t missed an easy chance of stumping out Maheesh Theekshana.
On the final ball of 49th over, Kuldeep Yadav foxed Maheesh Theekshana, who charged out to hit him. Rishabh Pant collected the ball low and took his sweet time to dislodge the bail. However, in his antics, Pant gave the Sri Lankan batter enough time to plonk his bat back in the crease.
After Theekshana touched the inside of the crease with his bat, his bat bounced a little, as Pant dislodged the bail. But as per new rules, once the bat is grounded inside the crease, the batter is considered safe.
The TV umpire gave Theekshana not out and Rishabh Pant was left with a sheepish smile on his face.
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