In a riveting Super Four clash of the Asia Cup 2023 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, India emerged victorious against Dasun Shanaka‘s led Sri Lanka by 41 runs. India’s decision to bat first after winning the toss resulted in a total of 213 runs in 49.1 overs. In response, Dasun Shanaka‘s side was bowled out for 172 runs in 41.3 overs. This victory secured India’s spot in the Asia Cup 2023 final and ended Sri Lanka’s impressive 13-match winning streak in ODI cricket.
Notably, this marked the 14th consecutive match where Sri Lanka bowled out their opposition in ODIs. An interesting statistic emerged as this was the first instance in ODI history when India lost all 10 wickets to spinners – Wellalage, Asalanka, and Theekshana, all off-spinners.
This occurrence marked the 10th time in ODI history when spinners accounted for all 10 wickets in an innings. Sri Lanka had previously achieved this feat back in 2001 when their spinners achieved a similar feat against Zimbabwe at the same venue.
Top Performers of the Match
Despite ending up on the losing side, Dunith Wellalage, a 20-year-old left-arm orthodox bowler, delivered an extraordinary performance. He secured his maiden five-wicket haul in ODI cricket, becoming the youngest Sri Lankan to achieve this feat. Wellalage’s victims included key Indian batsmen such as Shubman Gill (19), Virat Kohli (3), Rohit Sharma (53), KL Rahul (39), and Hardik Pandya (5). He finished with impressive figures of 10-1-40-5.
Notably, he also made a valuable contribution with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 42 runs off 46 balls. Wellalage became the fourth Sri Lankan player to accomplish a five-wicket haul and score 40-plus runs in a single ODI match. Moreover, his performance marked the first instance of achieving this double (a five-wicket haul and 40-plus runs) in the Asia Cup (ODI) history.
Additionally, Charith Asalanka, a Sri Lankan batting all-rounder, had only one wicket to his name in his previous 78 international games before this match. However, in his 79th international appearance, he achieved his best-ever bowling figures of 9-1-18-4. His victims included Ishan Kishan (33), Ravindra Jadeja (4), Jasprit Bumrah (5), and Kuldeep Yadav (0).
Kuldeep Yadav displayed his brilliance with the ball once again, taking four wickets for India. His victims included Sadeera Samarawickrama (17), Charith Asalanka (22), Kasun Rajitha (1), and Matheesha Pathirana (0), with bowling figures of 9.3-0-43-4.
This performance also marked Yadav’s 150th wicket in ODI cricket, making him the second-fastest Indian bowler to achieve this milestone in terms of matches played (88). The only bowler ahead of him in this regard is Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, who achieved this milestone in 80 innings.
Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah also chipped in with two wickets each. Jadeja dismissed Dasun Shanaka (9) and Dhananjaya de Silva (41), while Bumrah accounted for Pathum Nissanka (6) and Kusal Mendis (15).
Indian opener and captain Rohit Sharma, with his 53 runs off 48 balls, secured his 51st ODI fifty. In the process, he crossed the landmark of 10,000 runs in ODIs, achieving this feat in 241 innings, second only to Virat Kohli’s 205 innings. Sharma’s accomplishment pushed Sachin Tendulkar to third place in the fastest to 10,000 ODI runs list.
This remarkable achievement made Sharma the sixth Indian batsman to reach 10,000 ODI runs, joining the ranks of legends like Tendulkar, Kohli, Ganguly, Dravid, and Dhoni. Additionally, Sharma (28)* surpassed Shahid Afridi (26) to become the player with the most sixes in the ODI Asia Cup. KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan’s contributions of 39 and 33 runs, respectively, played a crucial role in India’s total of 213.
Indian Bowlers Excel in Defending Low Total
India’s bowlers successfully defended the modest 214-run target. All bowlers, except Axar Patel, contributed with at least one wicket, showcasing India’s bowling strength. Jasprit Bumrah’s return, adding pace and precision, bolstered the attack.
Hardik Pandya consistently bowled well, hitting 140 kmph today, adding variety to the lineup. Despite a tough situation when Sri Lanka built a 63-run partnership between Dhananjaya de Silva and Dunith Wellalage, Ravindra Jadeja’s timely dismissal of de Silva, who scored 41, turned the tide in India’s favor. Kuldeep Yadav’s impressive performance also earned praise from his captain.
I Knew Wellalage Would Do Something Special Today – Dasun Shanaka
In the post-match presentation, Sri Lankan Captain Dasun Shanaka expressed his surprise at the pitch’s behavior. Dasun Shanaka praised the performances of Lankan spinners Wellalage, DDS (Dhananjaya de Silva), and Asalanka.
Dasun Shanaka highlighted the luxury of having genuine batters who could also bowl, allowing him to utilize them effectively. Notably, Dasun Shanaka had a hunch that Wellalage would shine, especially after the young bowler dismissed Virat Kohli, and he expected more wickets from him.
“We didn’t expect this kind of wicket, I thought it was a batting wicket but we adjusted well, especially Wellalage, DDS and Asalanka. The luxury of two genuine batters, they have been bowling in the nets and I know their real potential, today I had the option of using them today,” said Dasun Shanaka.
“Seeing the last game against Bangladesh I knew he (Wellalage) would do something special today, he took Kohli’s wicket and I was pretty sure it was his day and will take a couple more wickets,” he added.