Colombo, Sep 12 (UNI) After a strong start, India were bowled out for 213 inside 50 overs as all the wickets were hauled by Sri Lankan spinners in a crucial Super 4 match in the ongoing Asia Cup at R Premadasa Stadium here on Tuesday.
India seemed to put on yet another gargantuan total as they did against Pakistan last evening, but Dunith Wellalage (5/40) changed things in Sri Lanka’s favour. He dismissed top three Indian batsmen Shubman Gill (19), Virat Kohli (3) and Rohit Sharma (53), and then prize wickets of KL Rahul (39) and Hardik Pandya (5).
But Charith Aslanka sprung a surprise who complimented Wellalage with figures of 4/18 in 9 overs on a quick turner.
Seeing Rohit and Gill going great guns and posting 80 runs for the first wicket in 67 balls, Captain Dasun Shanaka took cognisance of turning balls, and immediately lobbed the ball to Wellalage and Asalanka who delivered.
Ishan Kishan made 33 off 61 balls, before he was done in by Asalanka. Ravindra Jadeja (4), Jasprit Bumrah (5) and Kuldeep Yadav (0) did not contribute much and fell cheaply.
India too have three spinners in their stable, and expectedly Rohit would bring them early on. But it remains to be seen how the ball behaves under the light.
However, Jasprit Bumrah got rid of opener Pathum Nissanka for 6 and Kusal Mendis for 15, leaving Sri Lanka tottering at 47/3 in 13th over.
