Sri Lanka’s ambition to secure their first ODI series win against India in nearly three decades appears promising, as they posted a competitive target of 249 runs, thanks to Avishka Fernando’s resilient innings of 96 runs. This target is expected to challenge the Indian side on yet another dry and spin-friendly surface at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. India’s failure to chase down targets of 231 and 241 in the first two ODIs respectively underscores the difficulty they might face in this match.
Electing to bat first for the third consecutive game, the Sri Lankan openers, Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando, laid a strong foundation with a commendable 89-run partnership. Nissanka took the initial lead in aggression, striking four boundaries in the first few overs bowled by Mohammed Siraj. It’s noteworthy that Siraj was India’s sole pace bowler for this game, which saw the visitors make several tactical changes. Arshdeep Singh was dropped, and Riyan Parag was brought in for his ODI debut to bolster the middle-order batting, addressing the recent batting collapses. Additionally, Rishabh Pant replaced KL Rahul behind the stumps.
Axar Patel eventually disrupted the opening partnership in the 20th over, dismissing Nissanka with a top-edged slog-sweep. However, Fernando continued his robust performance, securing a half-century off 65 balls. His adept footwork against spinners stood out, particularly after a conservative start against the pacers. Fernando showcased his adaptability by dispatching a boundary and a couple of sixes in quick succession during Siraj’s second spell. He was on course for a well-deserved century but was eventually undone by Riyan Parag’s full leg-break, resulting in a near-miss for Fernando and giving the debutant his first ODI wicket.
Parag proved pivotal in his debut game, soon trapping Charith Asalanka leg-before-wicket, which triggered a significant collapse in the Sri Lankan batting lineup. The team plummeted from a strong position at 171 for 1 to 199 for 6. Washington Sundar and Siraj joined the wicket-taking spree, helping regain control for India during the latter half of the middle overs.
. Parag concluded with impressive figures, securing three wickets, with his final scalp being Dunith Wellalage, bowled out.
Amidst this collapse, Sri Lanka leaned on the experience of Kusal Mendis, who once again rose to the occasion. Batting at number three, Mendis played a crucial role in the latter part of the innings. He methodically built his innings, reaching his fifty off 77 balls. Mendis’s calculated approach ensured that Sri Lanka added a vital 31 runs in the final three overs, a critical phase that propelled the team to a formidable total of 248 on a demanding pitch.
Sri Lanka’s batting strategy and execution mirrored their resilience and commitment, evident from Fernando’s near-century and Mendis’s crucial innings. Despite the mid-innings slump, the team managed to post a competitive score, reflecting their consistency throughout the series. Every game has seen different players step up during important junctures, which is a positive indicator for the team moving forward.
For India, the bowling unit managed to restrain the Sri Lankan batsmen effectively, especially in the middle overs. Parag’s debut performance was a highlight for the Indian side, as his breakthroughs were crucial in disrupting the well-set Sri Lankan batsmen. Siraj’s pace, combined with Sundar’s spin, created pressure and restricted runs, which will be a significant advantage for India when they come out to bat.
However, the recurring theme of India’s struggle to chase down targets in this series looms large. A target of 249, while achievable, will test India’s batting resilience on a dry and possibly deteriorating surface. The changes in the batting lineup, including Pant replacing Rahul, suggest that India is still searching for the right combination to balance the batting order effectively.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 248/7 (Fernando 96, Mendis 59, Nissanka 45; Parag 3-54) vs India. This poised a thrilling contest as the series reaches its deciding match, with both teams giving their all to secure a significant series win.