Team India suffered a humiliating 110-run defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka in the must-win third ODI in at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Wednesday (August 7).
Opting to bat first, the hosts posted 248/7 in their allotted 50 overs, with major contributions from Avishka Fernando (96), Kusal Mendis (59) and Pathum Nissanka (45). Kamindu Mendis also played an important cameo of 19-ball 23* in the death overs.
Debutant Riyan Parag was the pick of the bowlers for India, claiming three wickets by conceding 54 runs in his nine overs.
In reply, India’s innings folded for a paltry 138 in 26.1 overs. The visiting batters once again struggled against the Sri Lankan spinners as no one in the line-up managed to touch the 40-run mark. Skipper Rohit Sharma was the top scorer with 35 off 20 balls.
Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage starred with the ball for Sri Lanka as he returned with the figures of 5/27 in his 5.1 overs. Jeffrey Vandersay (2/34 in five overs), Maheesh Theekshana (2/45 in eight overs) and Asitha Fernando (1/29 in five overs) shared the remaining five scalps among them.
With this victory, Sri Lanka clinched the three-ODI series 2-0 after the first game between the two teams ended in a tie.
Cricket experts congratulated the Sri Lankan team on the series win and criticized the Indian batters for their listless display against spin bowling.
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