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Indian batters are considered better players of spin compared to SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries. But Sri Lankan spinners brought Indian players to their knees in the Asia Cup Super Fours Clash at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. After losing all 10 wickets to Pakistan pacers on September 2, for the first time in India’s 49-year-old ODI cricket history they lost all 10 wickets to spinners.
20-year-old left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage started off the proceedings by getting rid of the Indian top order in his first spell. Keeping in mind the assistance from spinners, Dasun Shanaka gave the ball to part-time off-spinner Charith Asalanka who took four wickets. Then Maheesh Theekshana wrapped up India’s innings in the last over with Axar Patel’s wicket. Also, this is the 14th time on the trot Sri Lanka have bowled out an opposition.
Wellalage became the youngest Sri Lankan spinner to take a fifer in the format. He also became the third left-arm spinner after Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan and former England cricketer Ashley Giles to take a fifer against India in the One-Day cricket. This was his maiden fifer as well.
Asalanka’s 4/18 is his best bowling performance in ODIs. Before the four-fer against India, he had taken just one wicket from 39 ODIs including six times he got to bowl.
“I want to thank my coaches and management, especially my spin bowling coach. I tried to bowl my normal variations and not give runs. My dream wicket was Kohli's wicket. The surface is uneven and it is not easy but we have a good batting line-up, we will give a good fight,” Wellalage told the broadcasters during the innings break.
Earlier, Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first. Rohit scored a half-century and became the second-fastest to 10,000 ODI runs and the leading six-hitter in the Asia Cup. India lost their first wicket for a score of 80. Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul got starts but could not convert them into big scores. Patel batted with the tail and helped India post 213 on the board.
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