Injury-ravaged Sri Lanka stun India in three-match ODI series: Takeaways
What's the story
A down-and-out Sri Lanka side ravaged by perpetual injuries, having suffered multiple batting collapses, stunned Team India in the 2024 three-match ODI series. SL enforced a tie in the series opener before winning the next two games. This is not an ordinary triumph as SL claimed their maiden ODI series win over India in 27 years (since 1997). Here are the key takeaways.
Spin
India lose 27 wickets to spin
The biggest talking point of the series has to be the battle between the Indian batters and Sri Lanka spinners. India lost 27 wickets to spin, the most by a team in a bilateral ODI series (minimum three matches). Interestingly, India lost nine wickets each to spin in the three games. They were unable to pick the guile of Jeffrey Vandersay and Dunith Wellalage.
Rohit
Rohit's strike-rate goes past 140
Indian captain Rohit Sharma single-handedly held Team India's top order throughout the series. He scored back-to-back rapid half-centuries before smashing a 20-ball 35 in the decider. Rohit, who finished as the series' highest run-scorer, continued with his attacking brand of cricket. He struck at a staggering 141.44. However, he lost support from his compatriots in the batting line-up.
Kohli
Three different spinners dismiss Virat Kohli
While the Indian skipper packed quite a punch, Virat Kohli's batting form was concerning. Three different spinners dismissed Kohli in the three-match series - Wanindu Hasaranga, Vandersay, and Wellalage. It is worth noting that the Indian batter was dismissed lbw in each of the three games. Kohli averaged 19.33, his lowest in seven bilateral ODI series against Sri Lanka.
Wellalage
Wellalage upsets India in Colombo
As Sri Lanka missed the presence of several star players, spinner Wellalage shone with his all-round exploits. He was adjudged the Player of the Series for his terrific run. Besides taking a fifer in the 3rd ODI, he smoked a timely 67*(65) in the series opener. He also took two wickets. Wellalage scored a pivotal 39 in the 2nd ODI as SL prevailed.
Vandersay
Hasaranga's replacement Vandersay shines
Leg-spinner Vandersay powered Sri Lanka to a 32-run victory against India in the 2nd ODI. Vandersay, who came in as injured Hasaranga's replacement, decimated India with a six-fer. He became the second-ever wrist-spinner with an ODI six-fer against India. Vandersay also bagged the third-best bowling figures for a spinner in ODIs against India, only behind Muthiah Muralidaran (7/30) and Ajantha Mendis (6/13).
Highlights
Other highlights from the series
India had a fixed top order but experimented too much with the middle order. Notably, no Indian middle-order batter scored a half-century in three games. SL's middle order suffered a similar fate, but Wellalage made the difference. Mohammed Siraj, who fares well against SL, finished with just three wickets. SL were without Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, and Hasaranga (two ODIs).