• Home
  • Match Hub
  • R Premadasa Stadium Colombo Pitch Report Can India Defend 213 Vs Sri Lanka

R Premadasa Stadium Colombo Pitch Report | Can India Defend 213 vs Sri Lanka?

Debashis Sarangi

image-lmgc4liuDunith Wellalage starred with the ball for Sri Lanka [AP]

The tenth Asia Cup 2023 fixture saw an intriguing battle between Sri Lanka and India, with the former dominating the latter in the first half of the game. After opting to bat first, India were off to a flier, thanks to a scintillating 80-run opening stand between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. However, things started taking a downward turn for the Men in Blue as soon as Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka introduced his ace spinner, Dunith Wellalage, to the attack. 

The wily craftsman rattled the Indian batting order, scalping prized breakthroughs of Sharma, Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya. His sensational spell of five for 40 reduced India to 213 in 49.1 overs. 

So, can India defend the paltry total on the turning track of Colombo? 


R Premadasa Stadium Colombo Pitch Report

The surface at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo assisted the spinners in the India versus Sri Lanka encounter, as Wellalage and Charith Asalanka ran through the Indian batting order, sharing nine wickets between them. The ball kept low and turned viciously throughout the Indian innings, with the Men in Blue falling like a pack of cards. 

So, considering how the pitch has behaved so far, we expect the Indian spinners- Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel- to get enough purchase off the surface. Also, the pacers might get a hint of seam movement early on with the new ball, as some moisture might have sipped into the pitch due to rain. 

So, chasing 214 isn't going to be a cakewalk for Sri Lanka unless the Indian bowlers offer plenty of freebies. It is a fighting total, and India need to pick early wickets to stay alive in the contest.