Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana takes a jab at Indian wickets, which are good with small boundaries. Sri Lanka defeated India in the three-match ODI series by 2-0. The first game between the nations got tied.
The India tour of Sri Lanka concluded with three ODIs after the completion of the match T20I series. The ODI series against Sri Lanka was an embarrassing loss for team India as the Indian batters bundled up against the opposition spinners. For Sri Lanka, it was a historic win as the neighboring nation defeated India after 27 years in a series. India fell short of 110 runs in the last game against Sri Lanka.
“They (India) usually play on good wickets and small boundaries in India” : Maheesh Theekshana
The India vs Sri Lanka ODI series consisted of three games. Starting with the first match between the nations, Sri Lanka concluded with 230 runs on the board. Dunith Wellalage scored 67 off 65 balls that directed Sri Lanka’s innings, taking it to 230. Apart from the Wellalage, Sri Lanka’s opener Pathum Nissaka added 56 runs from 75 deliveries to the target.
In response, India had a great start to the innings, with Rohit Sharma targeting the boundaries. The ODI skipper sliced 58 runs off his bats in 47 deliveries. His score includes seven fours and three maximums. However, after Rohit Sharma’s departure, other batters struggled to bat on the surface. The Indian batting lineup couldn’t capitalize on Rohit Sharma’s start. Therefore, losing all ten wickets, India couldn’t reach the mark of 231 runs and had to settle for a draw in the match.
Match number two has India facing defeat by 32 runs, and Sri Lanka took the lead in the series by 1-0. In the second ODI, India got under the thumb of Sri Lankan spinners. Sri Lanka set a target of 240 runs on board with the help of Kamindu Mendis 40(44), Avishka Fernando 40(62), and Dunith Wellalage 39(35). In reply, India started the innings with an aggressive approach. Rohit Sharma tried to target the bowlers. However, after his wicket, the Indian batters stumbled. Shubman Gill 35(44) and Axar Patel 44(44) couldn’t help India get through. Hence, India lost by 32 runs. Sri Lankan spinner Jeffrey Vandersay grabbed six wickets.
In the decider, the Sri Lankan side invited India to chase 249 runs. Avishka Fernando missed his century by four runs, scoring 96 off 102 balls. His score included nine fours and two sixes. In addition, Sri Lankan batters Pathum Nissanka 45(65), Kusal Mendis 59(82), and Kamindu Mendis 23 off 19 balls helped them to put 248 runs on the board.
In the run chase, as usual, Rohit Sharma had an aggressive batting approach. He scored 35(20). After his dismissal, the same thing continued. The Indian batters departed one after another. Sri Lankan spinners dominated the game. While Dunith Wellalage grabbed five wickets, Jeffrey Vandersay and Maheesh Theekshana took two each. Maheesh Theekshana took two wickets in the series with an economy rate of 5.62.
After Sri Lanka’s historic series win since 1997, spinner Maheesh Theekshana commented on Indian wickets. Maheesh Theekshana stated that Indian wickets have small boundaries, which are very different from that of Premadasa Stadium in Sri Lanka. In addition, he said that a little turn in the Premadasa Stadium’s pitch helped them put India under scrutiny. Maheesh Theekshana also praised their spinners. Lastly, Maheesh Theekshana added that there are similar kinds of wickets in domestic as well, which certainly helped the batters to play. He said,
“They (India) usually play on good wickets and small boundaries in India. We knew playing in Premadasa, if there’s a little bit of turn, we can take advantage because we have good spinners. Even in domestic, the wickets are like this and our batters know how to play”