India clinched the series 2-1.
After being down and out in the first two ODIs of the three-match series, Sri Lanka bounced back in the final encounter to evade a clean-sweep and earn 10 crucial points in the ODI Super League as they handed India a three-wicket defeat.
Having fielded five debutants – Nitish Rana, Krishnappa Gowtham, Chetan Sakariya, Rahul Chahar and Sanju Samson – in what was the first instance after 1980 that the team handed as many debuts in an ODI game, India collapsed from 147/3 to 225 all-out in a rain-curtailed 47-overs-per side game.
During the chase, India did manage to put Sri Lanka under pressure, however, half-centuries from Avishka Fernando and Bhanuka Rajapaksa ensured that Sri Lanka finally pulled one back. Further, lax fielding and dropped catches after an underwhelming show with the bat did not help India’s cause either. That said, the visitors claimed the series 2-1, with Suryakumar Yadav named as the Player of the Series. The two teams will play three T20Is starting from July 25.
Winning skipper, Dasun Shanaka said:
Congrats to India for winning the series. It was a very good series throughout and I am really happy with how we played. The bowlers showed maturity, that’s what I expect from the youngsters. I hope they will continue this in the future tours as well. When you play international cricket for long, the guys will improve and play consistently. It is a very big win for the fans. We have been waiting for very long and have won after very long against India at home. I want to thank all my players and the support staff. Actually I enjoy captaining.
Losing skipper, Shikhar Dhawan said:
It didn’t go our way. We tried some new players. We got a good start but again we lost too many wickets in the middle overs. We were 50 runs short in the end. I am glad the players made their debut because everyone was in quarantine for such a long time, and we had this chance because we sealed the series in the last game. I always analyze where I can improve and get better in strategies. Looking forward to the T20 series. Of course we were positive that we could defend the target but we knew that we were short. The boys gave a good fight and it was interesting in the end. We always have to keep learning.
Player of the Match, Avishka Fernando said:
If we had done well in the second match, we would have won the series. After the England tour I worked on my batting and that helped in scoring runs here. We have a very young side and going forward, I believe this young side will do well.
Player of the Series, Suryakumar Yadav said:
I think I have been doing the same things for the last two years. Just look to keep it simple and the mantra has been working. I would have loved to make it big in the last two games, but I am learning. The atmosphere in the camp is really positive and am looking forward to the T20 series.
