Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage gave credit to the spin duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka after the first ODI was tied against India at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Friday. The hosts came up with an inspiring bowling show, skittling out India at 230 after getting the same score.
Hasaranga got the big wickets of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul and returned with impressive figures of 3-58. Furthermore, the Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka introduced himself into the attack as the pitch was assisting the spinners. The off-spinner accounted for Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh, and Axar Patel.
India needed only one run to win with two wickets in hand but Asalanka dismissed Shivam Dube, and Arshdeep Singh on consecutive balls.
“When we bowled, the game changed with the wickets that Wanindu aiya and Charith aiya took. They took wickets at very difficult times, and that’s how we were able to at least keep it to this score. If you take Axar Patel and KL Rahul, these are batters who have finished a lot of matches. At that time we needed to get the bowlers in, and when Charith aiya got Axar out and Wanindu aiya got KL Rahul out. It was important to stay calm at that stage, and the match turned our way,” Wellalage said in the same press conference.
On the other hand, Asalanka said he believed they could defend the total against India.
He said in the post-match presentation, I did (believe we could defend the total), but we should have done a bit more well to restrict them under 230. In the afternoon, it turned more. Under lights, it became easier to bat.”
Speaking on plans of bowling himself, Asalanka concluded, “The left-hander came in to bat and I thought I could bowl as it spun a lot. I am happy about the the energy in the field and the way the boys played in the second half. Dunith’s knock and Nissanka batted extremely well.”
The second ODI between India and Sri Lanka will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Sunday.
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