India suffer ODI series loss against Sri Lanka for first time since 1997 after massive defeat in decider

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• Aug 7, 2024 | Guriya Khatun

India included Riyan Parag and Rishab Pant in their playing eleven after failing to chase down low-score targets in the opening two games.

Digital Desk: With a commanding 110-run victory over India in the third match played in Colombo on Wednesday, Sri Lanka put an end to their long wait for an ODI series victory. Sri Lanka won the three-match series 2-0 owing to an outstanding all-around effort that allowed them defend 248 runs.

The Indian cricket team saw yet another collapse in their final 2024 One-Day International (ODI) encounter, after a solid start from captain Rohit Sharma. For the first time since August 1997, Sri Lanka won a bilateral ODI series against India thanks to the impressive five wickets taken by youthful spin all-arounder Dunith Wellalage, who helped bowl out India for 138.

India included Riyan Parag and Rishab Pant in their playing eleven after failing to chase down low-score targets in the opening two games. Maheesh Theekshana, an excellent spinner, took Akila Dananjaya's place after Sri Lanka once again won the vital toss.

After opting to bat first, Sri Lanka's openers, Avishka Fernando and Pathum Nissanka, produced a remarkable opening stand of 89 runs for the first wicket.

India playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.

Sri Lanka playing XI: Pathum Nissanka,  Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Kamindu Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando.