2nd ODI
Dunith Wellalage has helped Sri Lanka team to reach to the total of 240 Runs
Sri Lanka scored 240/9 in 50 overs vs India
A 72-run stand for the seventh wicket rescued Sri Lanka from a precarious 136/6 and helped them compile a competitive total of 240/9 on another slow, low pitch at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, in what was the 150th ODI at the venue.
Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis, batting at Nos. 7 and 8 respectively, orchestrated the turnaround even as Washington Sundar finished with impressive figures of 3 for 30.
Sri Lanka lost the in-form Pathum Nissanka off the first ball of the match to an outswinger from Mohammed Siraj, but Avishka Fernando (40) and Kusal Mendis (30) added 74 runs for the second wicket, steadying the hosts with a cautious partnership through Siraj’s five-over opening spell.
The partnership was tenuous on a spin-friendly surface, and it took Washington Sundar nine balls into his spell to break it with a leading edge from Fernando that popped right back to the bowler.
Sundar followed up with Mendis’s wicket in his next over, pushing Sri Lanka back into recovery mode with two new batters at the crease.
Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka struggled against the Indian spinners and both succumbed; Samarawickrama mistimed a slog against Axar Patel while attempting to break free, and Asalanka was caught off-guard by a turning, bouncing delivery, offering a simple catch to short third man.
Kuldeep Yadav, introduced in the 20th over, bowled a miserly first five overs before being rewarded with Janith Liyanage’s wicket in his sixth.
At 136/6 after 35 overs, Sri Lanka looked in trouble but found unlikely heroes in Dunith Wellalage (39) and Kamindu Mendis (40).
The pair frustrated India towards the end, pushing the total past 200.
Mendis was dropped on 11 by Shivam Dube, which proved costly for India.
Wellalage took his time but, once settled, he hit a few boundaries, including a four and six off Axar in the 44th over and a six off Siraj in the next.
He was caught by Dube at short third man but not before he had made a significant impact.
Mendis was run out off the penultimate ball of the innings due to a sharp effort from Shreyas Iyer.
Mendis and Akila Dananjaya added a few boundaries in the last couple of overs, with 79 runs coming in the final 10 overs.
The seamers bowled their 19 overs for 111/1, offsetting the spinners’ brilliant effort of 112/6 in their 31 overs.
India couldn’t chase a target of 231 the other day, and this time they will have another 10 runs to chase on a relatively slower pitch.
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