Sri Lanka Clinches Historic Series Win Over India with Dominant 110-Run Victory

Sri Lanka secured a landmark series victory over India, their first in 27 years, with a comprehensive 110-run triumph in the third one-day international at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The win handed Sri Lanka a 2-0 series win, marking a significant milestone in their cricket history.

Batting first, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 248-7 in their 50 overs, thanks to a brilliant 96 off 102 balls from opener Avishka Fernando. Fernando’s innings set a solid foundation for the hosts, with notable support from Kusal Mendis, who contributed 59 off 82 balls. Despite a mid-innings collapse where Sri Lanka lost five wickets for just 28 runs, they managed to post a challenging total on a turning pitch.

India, in response, struggled against Sri Lanka's disciplined bowling attack. Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage was the star with the ball, taking a career-best 5-27. Wellalage's performance dismantled the Indian batting lineup, which could only muster 138 runs in 26.1 overs.

India's chase never gained momentum as they lost regular wickets. Captain Rohit Sharma, who scored 35, and star batter Virat Kohli, with 20, were among Wellalage’s victims, highlighting the spinner's dominance on the day. The lack of substantial partnerships and disciplined Sri Lankan bowling ensured India’s downfall.

The series win is a significant achievement for Sri Lanka under the new leadership of captain Charith Asalanka and interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya. This victory also comes after ex-England coach Chris Silverwood stepped down following Sri Lanka's early exit in the T20 World Cup group stage.

“We are in a really good mood right now, especially our coach,” said Asalanka. “He made a few changes in the team, and the boys really enjoyed the team environment.”

Sri Lanka's last bilateral ODI series win over India was in August 1997. Since then, India had dominated the encounters with 11 series wins and two drawn series. This historic win breaks a long-standing streak and serves as a confidence booster for the Sri Lankan team.

Despite the ODI series loss, India had previously triumphed in the T20 series, winning 3-0 last month. However, the ODI series defeat will prompt India to reassess their strategies as they prepare for upcoming international fixtures.

Scorecard Highlights:

Sri Lanka:

• 248-7 (50 overs)
• Avishka Fernando: 96 (102 balls)
• Kusal Mendis: 59 (82 balls)
• Riyan Parag: 3-54

India:

• 138 all out (26.1 overs)
• Dunith Wellalage: 5-27

This series win marks a new chapter for Sri Lankan cricket, showcasing their potential and resilience under new leadership. The team and fans alike will hope this momentum continues as they look forward to future challenges.