Sri Lanka secured a 2-0 victory over India in the ODI series, with spinner Maheesh Theekshana making a notable remark about the playing conditions in India.
Sri Lanka has achieved a significant milestone by defeating India in a bilateral series for the first time since 1997, marking a moment of elation for their cricket fans. The Sri Lankan bowlers were exceptional throughout the series, consistently putting pressure on the Indian batters, who struggled against the spin attack during the run-chases in all three matches.
The series opener ended in a dramatic tie, with India failing to score the one run needed from the last 14 balls. Sri Lanka then secured a convincing 32-run victory in the second ODI, setting the stage for a decisive final match.
In the third ODI, Sri Lanka delivered an even more dominant performance, winning by 110 runs to claim the series 2-0. After choosing to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a total of 248/7 in their 50 overs. Avishka Fernando led the way with 96 runs, supported by Pathum Nissanka’s 45, Kusal Mendis’ 59, and Kamindu Mendis’ 20. India, however, faltered badly in their chase, managing only 138 runs before being bowled out in 26.1 overs. Rohit Sharma top-scored with 35, followed by Virat Kohli’s 20, Riyan Parag’s 15, and Washington Sundar’s 30, with the rest of the lineup failing to reach double digits. Sri Lanka’s bowling attack was led by Danish Wellalage, who took 5 wickets, with Mahesh Theekshana adding 2, and Aditya Fernando and Jeffrey Vandersay taking 1 and 2 wickets, respectively.
The Indian batters’ repeated struggles against spin on turning tracks have raised serious concerns about their ability to handle such conditions. This series win is a welcome boost for Sri Lanka, especially after being whitewashed 3-0 in the preceding T20I series against India.
Following the series win, Maheesh Theekshana commented on the differences in playing conditions, suggesting that India often benefits from favorable pitches and small boundaries at home. He highlighted that in Sri Lanka, particularly at the Premadasa Stadium, the conditions are more challenging, offering more turn for spinners.
Theekshana said: “They (India) usually play on good wickets and small boundaries in India. We knew playing in Premadasa, if there’s little bit turn, we can take advantage because we have good spinners. Even in domestic, the wickets will be like this and our batters know how to play.”
He also mentioned that Rohit Sharma attempted to go on the offensive against him and praised the entire team for their historic victory over India in the ODI series after 27 years.
“Rohit came into bat and he attacked me, Asitha got a good start, came back and got Shubman and then Wellalage was brilliant, Vandersay did a great job … Hasaranga in the first game, Akila bowled economically in both the games. I wanted to bowl more dot balls. It was a team effort. All the players contributed, that’s why we ended up winning 2-0” added Theekshana.
