India and Sri Lanka’s matches are always thrilling affairs, boasting of unforgettable performances and nail-biting finishes. Their 2024 encounter was no different as both teams demonstrated their determination to triumph.
India take their first wicket as Pathum Nissanka attempts to slog sweep and is caught by Rishabh Pant. You can check the India national cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team match scorecard to follow the latest updates and detailed statistics from the game.
India 249/7 in 50 overs
Indian batsmen were unable to keep pace with Sri Lanka’s bowlers on an unpredictable R Premadasa pitch. After making a good start in their innings, Avishka Fernando’s brilliant 96 off 102 balls and Kusal Mendis’ stubborn half century helped the hosts reach 248/7 after 50 overs.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, India’s openers, have begun the match well but will need to continue this momentum if they want to overcome home team’s advantage in scoring runs. So far they’ve hit three fours and one six but they haven’t converted them into big scores; for that to happen they must show some composure if they want take control of this match away from hosts team.
Shubman Gill begins the over by nudging the ball towards square leg for a single. Subsequently, he attempts a slog sweep shot against Asitha Fernando off delivery number two to score another boundary; unfortunately he was caught at deep mid wicket by Asitha Fernando for only his second wicket to fall as soon-to-be hosts lose their top order quickly.
Dhananjaya de Silva steps in as Nissanka’s replacement. Although an adept batsman, Dhananjaya’s poor form has compounded Sri Lanka’s difficulty. If he wants to break out of this slump and back on form – Dhananjaya must increase his game now!
Washington Sundar has taken over from Dube, bowling a maiden over and keeping things tight to limit scoring opportunities for Sri Lanka. Avishka pulls one back towards midwicket for a single, then guides another one towards fine leg for another run – an impressive double effort by this pair that have raised Sri Lanka’s total to 207/6 with Kamindu Mendis on 37 and Maheesh Theekshana both hitting 37 runs apiece.
Dunith Wellalage made his return for the visitors, striking back quickly by dismissing Virat Kohli LBW off a short delivery which was spinning away from him. Although this wicket provided India some respite from early losses, this still puts immense pressure on Axar Patel and KL Rahul to remain steadfast throughout their innings.
Sri Lanka 248/7 in 50 overs
Sri Lankan batsmen rebounded strongly after losing both openers early to post a respectable total of 248-7. Pathum Nissanka stood out with his 45-ball strike rate and shared an excellent opening partnership of 89 runs with Avishka Fernando up front. Nissanka overpowered Mohammed Siraj (1-78) by unleashing his signature pull shot to hit two sixes off him before Dunith Wellalage claimed his second five-wicket haul of the series by trapping Kuldeep Yadav leg before wicket.
Young spinners have proven effective thus far, restricting runs and making it hard for Sri Lanka to score freely. With an uneven pitch and spinners targeting stumps, Washington Sundar has made his presence felt by bowling quicker deliveries to Janith Liyanage who defended it well while Riyan Parag was also present with his precise off spinners.
Mendis started off well against India with a drive to mid off for a single. From then on he lofted a shot over extra cover for four and went for another four hit through extra cover with his lofted shot over extra cover, followed by cutting past backward point for two more runs. But then disaster struck when Axar Patel attempted a slog sweep against Mendis but missed and top edged Pant which provided Pant with an excellent catch and Mendis tried for another but the keeper caught him out attempting it again!
Shubman Gill then caught Mendis near the ropes, prompting a review but failing to establish any contact on his gloves. Mendis left having scored an excellent 59, Sri Lanka’s first 200+ score against India since 1997. Kamindu Mendis supported by Maheesh Theekshana’s 30-ball knock that included three boundaries and two sixes was another notable contributor; Axar Patel made 20 balls off 15 deliveries as the top run-scorer from Sri Lanka. Maheesh Theekshana contributed 30 off 17 balls while Axar Patel contributed 20 balls 35 to India’s innings.
India 249/8 in 50 overs
Axar Patel made an impressive start to his ODI career by scoring three runs off of Sri Lankan spinner Dunith Wellalage’s opening over. If he hopes to contribute significantly towards India’s pursuit of victory he must score significantly more runs during limited overs innings innings.
The match remains locked in a stalemate as visitors have found it hard to make inroads into India’s total score. India have shown remarkable control with their line and length bowling while remaining disciplined by restricting runs to an absolute minimum.
Avishka Fernando led Sri Lanka’s innings brilliantly on an easily battable pitch, leading his side to 248/7 and benefiting from Pathum Nissanka’s timely 45 and an 82-run partnership between himself and Kusal Mendis.
Wellalage has taken two wickets in the last over, and with Kamindu Mendis falling to Washington Sundar it does not look promising for Sri Lanka. But they have proven adept in such scenarios in the past and hope to turn things around quickly.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill opened India’s batting, looking to score 249 runs and claim an outright series victory. Within three overs they added 17 runs; Shahbaz Nadeem kept things tight on his debut in one-day international cricket.
The pair have attempted to build a solid partnership, yet Indian batsmen have struggled to score regularly. Spinners’ bowling has provided no advantage for them either – although their efforts may have been helped by poor performances from their top order.
Kuldeep Yadav continues to exert pressure on Sri Lanka with his probing deliveries, including one which cut through Mendis’ gate for four. Riyan Parag’s decision was perhaps unfair but soon after was adjudged lbw by Riyan Parag.
Sri Lanka 248/9 in 50 overs
Sri Lanka completed their victory of India at R Premadasa Stadium with Avishka Fernando scoring 96 off 102 and Kusal Mendis adding 50 for Sri Lanka, scoring 248/7 from 50 overs to become the first team in 27 years to overcome them in an ODI series. With this win, Sri Lanka became the first team since 2013 to defeat them.
Indian bowlers struggled in the Powerplay as Sri Lankan openers took full advantage of batting-friendly conditions to score runs quickly. Debutant Riyan Parag broke an 82-run partnership between Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis when he caught Avishka leg before wicket, then dismissed Charith Asalanka leg before wicket before dismissing Sadeera Samarawickrama for just one run to turn the match back in their favour.
Rohit Sharma made a promising start, scoring two fours and a six in his opening five overs before being trapped lbw by Lahiru Gamage and bowler Lahiru Gamage for fifty – an achievement which shone brightly amongst a disappointing total as Sri Lanka took control.
After lunch break, England were left reeling after losing Duckett and Pope just prior to Tea, leaving them struggling at 139/5 and Vishwa Fernando bowled well to restrict them to 249/7 at stumps.
Pathum Nissanka hit four, sending a short ball past midwicket for the winning run! His batsmen executed their plans well but could not execute it well as intended; Ollie Pope noted this was disappointing and pledged his help with improving batsmen for future games; Ollie Pope then applauded Pathum Nissanka’s fine innings while thanking Sri Lanka and their fans for supporting them and wished them good luck in this series.
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