In a crucial Super 4 clash of the Asia Cup 2023, Dunith Wellalage, who had previously shone in the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2022, emerged as Sri Lanka’s star performer with the ball. Wellalage, the talented all-rounder, delivered a stunning performance against India in Colombo, marking his potential for a debut at the upcoming senior Cricket World Cup.
Facing India’s formidable batting lineup, Wellalage displayed his left-arm spin prowess. He began his spell with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill solidifying India’s opening stand. However, Wellalage’s skillful bowling removed Gill, thanks to a sharply turning delivery that eluded the outside edge. He then posed a threat to Virat Kohli, almost inducing a leading edge before eventually dismissing him as Kohli miscued a flick to mid-wicket, capitalizing on a shorter delivery.
Wellalage’s excellence didn’t stop there. He shattered Rohit Sharma’s defense with a skiddy delivery that stayed low and sent the stumps crashing. Continuing his rampage, he claimed the wicket of KL Rahul, completing a five-wicket haul and doing so with the final ball of his spell.
Wellalage’s brilliant performance, coupled with Charith Asalanka’s part-time off-spin that secured four wickets, meant that Sri Lanka’s spinners achieved a remarkable feat by taking all 10 wickets in India’s innings. Maheesh Theekshana took the last wicket after a rain break.
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This remarkable achievement marked the first instance in men’s ODI history where India lost all 10 wickets to spin. Interestingly, at the same venue in 1997, Sri Lanka’s spinners had claimed nine wickets against India, a record until this game for the most wickets taken by spinners against India in a men’s ODI.
Wellalage’s five-wicket haul showcased his progression as an international cricketer, following his outstanding performance in the 2022 ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup, where he topped the wickets chart with 17 scalps. Notably, he also contributed significantly with the bat in that tournament, accumulating 264 runs at an average of 44, including a century.
Overall, Sri Lanka’s spinners, led by Wellalage, played a pivotal role in bowling India out for 213 in this critical Super 4 fixture of the Asia Cup 2023.