India on Tuesday beat Sri Lanka by 41 runs after the islanders were bowled out at 172 in their second match of the Super 4 stage of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023.
Sri Lanka's chase of the relatively low target of 214, was hampered by India's measured bowling as both Indian pacers and spinners kept the Sri Lankan batters in check and managed to take wickets at regular intervals.
For Sri Lanka, 20-year-old Dunith Wellalage came out as the top scorer with 42 runs, followed by Dhananjaya de Silva's 41 runs innings.
The rain-affected match saw the Sri Lankan side bowled out in 41.3 overs.
With their second win in the Super 4 stage, India has qualified for the finals of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023.
Earlier in the day, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first. Despite the Indian captain scoring a 50, the Men in Blue had a shaky start after the Sri Lankan "young gun" Wellalage managed to pick up back-to-back wickets.
The Indian side was limited to 213 runs after Sri Lankan bowlers in an impressive display of bowling successfully managed to reign in the strong batting lineup in 49 overs.
The spinner took out half of the Indian batting lineup including key wickets of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya.
Wellalage, 20, was roped in by Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023 squad as Hasaranga's replacement — who was ruled out due to a shoulder injury — and the youngster did not waste the opportunity to showcase his talent.
For India, skipper Rohit Sharma with his 53 runs inning, came out as the highest scorer in the match. Three of the Indian batsmen didn't even manage to get to the double figures.
Meanwhile, for Sri Lanka, Wellage bagged a "five–for" while conceding only 40 runs. Charith Asalanka and Maheesh Theekshana took four and one wicket, respectively.
The Indian side was bowled out in 49.1 overs, giving Sri Lanka a target of 214 runs in 50 overs.
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan (wc), KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Siraj.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wc), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana.
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