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Sri Lanka batted well to score 248 runs from their 50 overs for the loss of 7 wickets. The best bowler for India was none other than debutant Riyan Parag who picked 3/54 from his nine overs. His first two wickets were that that of Avishka Fernando for 96 and Charith Asalanka for 10.
The best ball by Riyan Parag was yet to come when he got the big wicket of Dunith Wellage. Riyan Parag got the ball to pitch in the middle stump line as it spun away sharply and hit the off stump.
— hiri_azam (@HiriAzam) August 7, 2024
Sri Lanka lost their last 6 wickets for 77 runs as they ended up with just 248 on the board. It is the highest total of the series and the Indian team has a huge challenge on their hands on a pitch where spin is starting to take shape.
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Sri Lanka set India stiff target of 249 runs to win
Charith Asalanka decided to bat first after winning his third toss of the series. Pathum Nissanka began well as he found an able ally in Avishka Fernando to punish the lacklustre Indian bowlers.
Axar Patel provided the first breakthrough when he had the wicket of Nissanka for 45. Rishabh Pant playing his first match of the series settled under the ball and took a neat catch.
Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis then added 82 runs for the second wicket as the Indian bowlers began to lose the plot. After Riyan Parag dismissed Fernando he got the wicket of Asalanka and Mohammed Siraj then got Sadeera Samarawickrama for a duck.
Janith Liyange and Dunith Wellage were dismissed in quick succession by Washinton Sundar and Riyan Parag. Kamindu Mendis then joined Kusal Mendis as the pair started to go after the Indian bowlers and took the score past 240.
Kusal Mendis played well as he held one end up and scored 59 runs before he fell to Kuldeep Yadav thanks to a good catch by Shubman Gill. The onus is now on the Indian batters who have to contend with the spin threat of the home team to score 249 runs and level the series.