Sri Lanka’s aspirations of securing their first One Day International (ODI) series victory against India in nearly 30 years are on firm ground as they set a competitive target of 249. This target, propelled by a commendable 96 from Avishka Fernando, poses a significant challenge for India, particularly on the dry surface of the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. India’s earlier failures to chase targets of 231 and 241 in the preceding two ODIs add a layer of pressure on them.
Opting to bat first for the third consecutive game, Sri Lankan openers Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando established a robust foundation with an 89-run partnership. Demonstrating his aggressive flair, Nissanka dominated the early part of the innings, hitting four boundaries within the opening couple of overs bowled by Mohammed Siraj. It is noteworthy that Siraj was India’s only pacer in this match, with the team making strategic changes by dropping Arshdeep Singh in favor of debutant Riyan Parag to bolster the middle-order, alongside the inclusion of Rishabh Pant in place of KL Rahul.
The breakthrough for India came in the 20th over when Axar Patel managed to dismiss Nissanka with a top-edged slog-sweep, ending the promising opening stand. However, another solid partnership followed with Fernando at the helm, who showcased resilience and skill by reaching a half-century off 65 balls. Initially, Fernando had a slow start against the pacers but found his rhythm against the spinners, exemplifying his adaptability. He particularly excelled in Siraj’s second spell, hitting a boundary and a couple of sixes within a span of five balls, displaying his aggressive intent.
Fernando seemed set for a century but was undone by a full legbreak from debutant Parag in the 38th over, handing Parag his maiden ODI wicket. The dismissal of Charith Asalanka shortly thereafter, courtesy of Parag’s delivery that trapped him lbw, initiated a dramatic collapse for Sri Lanka. From a strong position at 171/1, Sri Lanka stumbled to 199/6 as Washington Sundar and Siraj contributed crucial breakthroughs, underlining the unpredictable nature of cricket.
Parag emerged as a significant figure in the bowling attack, finishing with three wickets.
. His third dismissal, that of Dunith Wellalage, who was bowled, further tilted the game in India’s favor during the middle overs. Nevertheless, similar to the first two ODIs, Sri Lanka found a way to recover in the final stages. This time, it was Kusal Mendis who stepped up, scoring a valuable fifty off 77 balls. Mendis played a vital role in adding 31 runs in the last three overs of the innings, elevating Sri Lanka to a respectable total on a challenging pitch.
The setting of 249 as a target brings back memories of India’s struggles in the series. The dry pitch conditions at the R Premadasa Stadium have historically favored bowlers, stressing the importance of initial partnerships and the need for middle-order resilience. India’s previous attempts to chase modest totals have faltered, raising questions about their approach and adaptability under pressure.
During the pre-match discussions, a lot was said about India’s revamped squad and inclusion of young talents like Riyan Parag who was expected to bring a fresh dynamic to the team. His performance, particularly with the ball, justified the selectors’ decision and displayed his potential on the big stage. The replacement of KL Rahul with Rishabh Pant brought additional dimension in the middle-order but has yet to bear fruit.
In conclusion, Sri Lanka’s innings of 248 for 7 presents a formidable challenge to India, especially given the series context and pitch conditions. Avishka Fernando’s near-century and Mendis’s timely contribution underline the host’s depth and determination to end the decades-long wait for an ODI series win over India. As both teams prepare for the chase, the onus is on India’s batting lineup to rise to the occasion and overcome the psychological barriers from their previous outings.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka 248/7 (Fernando 96, Mendis 59, Nissanka 45; Parag 3-54) vs India.