Let’s not get too carried away

Sri Lanka interim Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya and Captain Charith Asalanka had a first bilateral ODI series win against India in 27 years to celebrate

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka has beaten India in a three-match ODI series for the first time in 27 years, which is an achievement to be savoured. But let’s not get too carried away by that success.

Sri Lanka’s white ball cricket has dipped to such a low level that any success that comes their way is looked at as an achievement, especially on social media and on private websites.

Under former Head Coach Chris Silverwood, the T20 and ODI teams had gradually begun to take shape and the victory over India is the culmination of the work in progress. The top order batting, which was not firing, seems to have settled down but there are still grey areas like the middle order that needs to improve, where numbers 4, 5, and 6 are not contributing. 

Sri Lanka were able to make scores in excess of 200+ in all three ODIs due to the contribution made by the late order. If one analyses Sri Lanka’s win closely, they could consider themselves lucky in a way that they won the toss on all three occasions and batted first when the wicket was at its best. Under lights, the wicket slowed down and also began to assist spin. We never got a chance to see how the Sri Lankan batsmen would have fared against the Indian spinners batting second.

But having said that, India, with players of experience playing under such conditions on umpteen occasions, had no answers to the Sri Lankan spinners who accounted for 27 of the 29 wickets that fell in the series. They were found badly wanting in their executions, and at times looked as if they had never played spin before. All credit to the Lankan spinners for keeping India on a tight leash and not allowing them the liberty of loose balls to capitalise on. 

Indian Captain Rohit Sharma was the leading run scorer in the series with 157 runs (avg. 52.33) and the next highest run-getter for India was Axar Patel with 79, which goes to show the dominance the Lankan spinners had over the Indian batting. 

When Sri Lanka were swamped 3-0 in the T20I series that preceded the ODIs, it seemed the writing was on the wall for another drubbing in the 50-overs’ as well. But credit to the team management, headed by interim Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya, for keeping the team together and giving them the belief that all is not lost. If you play to your potential, you can turn the tide in your favour.

The tied result in the first ODI gave the team the confidence that, with a little bit more effort, they could beat this Indian side, which was quite stronger than the one they picked for the T20I series. That Sri Lanka won the next two ODIs – and with it, the series – is in view of the confidence that has been instilled into the players and the environment created within the team and in the dressing room.

For Sri Lanka to beat India without their leading white ball spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and fast bowlers Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, and Dilshan Madushanka is in itself an accomplishment. Sri Lanka needs to continue in this vein and show consistency to be once again considered amongst the top teams in this format. For now, it is a win to relish. The series win has pushed Sri Lanka one notch up to sixth position in the ICC ODI team standings.

The Player of the Series was young Dunith Wellalage, who emerged as a gifted all-rounder who could go places if he can keep a level head. Some have started comparing him to India’s Ravindra Jadeja because they both bat and bowl left-handed. It would be better to let the boy be what he is and allow him to improve himself in stature gradually to become a leading all-rounder for his country. But right now, let’s not just unnecessarily put comparisons into his head and spoil the young man. 

Sri Lanka has this weakness of jumping to conclusions whenever someone performs well in any sport. They bombard the person financially as well as with the juiciest words they can think of, making him or her believe that they are world beaters. Some can be level headed and will dismiss such thoughts, but others can get carried away and this is where the danger is. They tend to lose focus and it will be the beginning of their downfall. 

One must remember that Wellalage’s performance against India in 2023 and 2024 has been on home soil. He is yet to be tested abroad against some of the stronger sides. So let the boy develop his skills on his own and try to become an all-rounder of merit to the side.

ODI Series

Leading Run Scorers

157 (avg. 52.33) – Rohit Sharma (India)

137 (avg. 45.66) – Asitha Fernando (SL)

108 (avg. 54.00) – Dunith Wellalage (SL)

103 (avg. 34.33) – Kusal Mendis (SL)

101 (avg. 33.66) – Pathum Nissanka (SL)

Leading Wicket-Takers

8 (avg. 8.37) – Jeffrey Vandersay (SL)

7 (avg. 15.28) – Dunith Wellalage (SL)

6 (avg. 8.66) – Charith Asalanka (SL)

5 (avg. 21.00) – Washington Sundar (India)