It seems India’s struggle with left-arm pacers has transformed into a challenge against left-arm spinners, as the Men in Blue suffered a collapse against left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage in the IND vs SL Asia Cup 2023 encounter. The 20-year-old spinner picked his first 5-wicket haul in ODIs and become the youngest Sri Lankan player to do so.
Team India started brilliantly after opting to bat as openers Rohit and Shubman put on a 80-run stand. However, Wellalage’s first 3 overs turned the tide towards the hosts.
Wellalage bowled Shubman Gill (19) in his first ball of the spell with a beautiful delivery in the 12th over. He then got rid of last match’s centurion Virat Kohli (3) who gave a straight catch to short midwicket fielder.
The spinner then castled Indian skipper Rohit Sharma (53) to put India on the backfoot.
Ishan Kishan (33) and KL Rahul (39) steadied the innings after 3 quick wickets. The pair put on a 63-run partnership before Wellalage struck again with crucial wicket of KL Rahul.
The spinner then got the better of Hardik Pandya (5) to complete his first 5-fer.
Dunith Wellalage’s Wicket Deliveries
11. 1 – A stunning delivery. Wellalage gives a bit of flight, which dips on Shubman Gill as he comes forward. However, the Indian opener fails to get to the pitch of the ball and loses his balance. The ball turns past his outside edge and hits the off-stump.
13. 5 – Bowls a short delivery. Virat Kohli goes back to try and hit it square on the leg side. However, the ball sticks in the pitch and he ends up hitting it straight to the man at short midwicket.
15.1 – Bowls almost an unplayable delivery. The ball gets a sharp turn and keeps low. Rohit Sharma goes on the back foot to defend, but the ball snucks through and the stumps castled.
29.6 – A simple caught and bowled. Bowls a length ball on the stumps which prompts KL Rahul to go on the back foot. Rahul goes on the defensive front and plays a poor shot. A simple catch to Wellalage.
35.6 – Bowls a quick and full delivery with a slight turn. Hardik Pandya trots forward to tackle the ball. The ball takes a thin edge and gets into the hands of the keeper. Completes his first 5-fer in ODIs.
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