A day after racking up a 350-plus total against Pakistan, the Indian batters faced a stiff challenge on a spin-friendly surface they were bowled out for 213 in 49.1 overs against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday.
Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage was the wrecker-in-chief who wiped off the India top-order to nullify a solid start before finishing with a five-wicket haul. Charith Asalanka took four wickets while Maheesh Theekshana took one wicket.
For the first time in their ODI history, India lost all their 10 wickets to spinners.
India captain Rohit Sharma opted to bat first and with Shubman Gill, led a solid start with the opening pair adding 80 runs.
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The introduction of Wellalage in the 12th over turned the tables with the young tweaker leaving India reeling. He began by cleaning up Gill (19) with his very first delivery which turned after pitching and sneaked past the bat to crash onto the stumps.
In walked Virat Kohli less than 24 hours after smashing a sparkling hundred but his attempt at a flick resulted in an easy catch to midwicket fielder and a second wicket for Wellalage.
Meanwhile, Rohit completed a third successive half-century but was undone by a delivery that kept low to sneak through, giving Wellalage his third wicket in as many overs and leaving India on a shaky ground.
At 91/3, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan joined forces to repair the damage. They succeeded, adding 63 runs for the fourth wicket but Wellalage was in the thick of action again, denting the progress by having Rahul caught and bowled on 39.
Asalanka then accounted for the well-set Ishan on 33.
Wellalage completed his five-wicket fifth wicket haul with the last delivery of his final over that sent Hardik Pandya packing on 5.
Once Wellalage was done through his 10 overs, India may have heaved a sigh of relief. But Asalanka ensured no breathing space as he ran through the lower order.
A brief rain break followed with India 197/9 in 47 overs. The contest resumed soon with Axar (26) adding a few valuable runs including a six before becoming the last man to be dismissed.
India began Super Four campaign with a 228-run win over Pakistan which lasted two days due to rain interruption. The top-two teams from this round will contest for the title.
Brief Scores: India 213-all out in 49.1 overs (Rohit Sharma 53, KL Rahul 39, Ishan Kishan 33) vs Sri Lanka (Dunith Wellalage 5/40, Charith Asalanka 4.18)
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