SL vs IND: Wellalage's Fifer Puts India on Back-foot Before Rain Plays Spoilsport

Wellalage pickerd up a 5-wicket haul vs India [AP Photo]

After a stunning display of batting against Pakistan, the Indian batters were brought down to Earth by a spin masterclass from Dunith Wellalage. The young left-arm spinner bagged a stunning 5-wicket haul and derailed India's momentum after a solid start. Rain arrived towards the end of the Indian innings as the Men in Blue crumbled to 197 for 9 in 47 overs.

Wellalage spun spin web around Indian batters

Opting to bat first on a used Colombo surface, the Indian openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave a flying start to their team. Just like against Pakistan, the two openers took the attack to the Sri Lankan pace attack and rattled them early in the innings.

In no time the Indian side reached the 50-run mark, and were all set to amass a big total. However, the Sri Lankan skipper, Dasun Shanaka used his trump card and it changed the complexion of the match.

The introduction of Wellalage turned the match on its head as he rattled Gill with an away drifter that knocked his stumps. He followed it up with by trapping the big fish - Virat Kohli, as the centurion from the last match was sent back for 3.

Meanwhile, after playing some gorgeous strokes, Rohit Sharma reached his third successive fifty of the tournament, but Wellalage was at it once again, as the ball kept low and it breached Rohit's defence.

Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul's rescue act

With the top-order gone, the onus was on KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan to steady the sinking ship. The two played a contrasting innings as Rahul tried to attack the Lankan spinners, but Kishan struggled to time the ball.

The two played watchfully, but were not afraid to dispatch the odd ball for a boundary. Just when things started looking bright, Wellalage became the chief destroyer once again and Rahul was caught at mid wicket for 39.

No contribution from the all-rounders

India needed something big from their all-rounders, but both Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja failed to deliver the goods. Wellalage got the prized wicket of Pandya on his final delivery of the spell to complete a memorable 5-wicket haul.

With Wellalage chipping in with wickets at the top, Charith Asalanka finished the job by dismissing the lower-order before rain arrived with India on 197.

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