Sri Lankan spinners smartly masterminded India’s downfall in the third and final ODI on Wednesday in Colombo to help their side register their first bilateral series victory over India in 27 years, breaking a long record. Maheesh Theekshana, who landed help with two wickets, elaborated on his team’s defining victory by remarking that India usually play on good wickets and short boundaries.
In the third game, Dunith Wellalage, with his five wickets, led the demolition of India’s fatigued batting attack to fold the visitors for (138) in (26.1) overs in their chase of (248). This has been a strong comeback from Sri Lanka after suffering series whitewash in the preceding three-match T20I series.
“For me, it's a confidence-booster as a team. We lost the T20 series 3-0. The whole team was disappointed and we took it as a motivation. Very happy to play the last game and win the series after 1997. It's a huge victory for us and I am really proud to be part of the XI,” said Theekshana.
Theekshana also revealed team’s plan in cornering India to claim the massive win.
"They (India) usually play on good wickets and small boundaries in India. We knew playing in Premadasa, if there's little bit turn, we can take advantage because we have good spinners" said Theekshana.
“Rohit came into bat and he attacked me, Asitha got a good start, came back and got Shubman and then Wellalage was brilliant, Vandersay did a great job ... Hasaranga in the first game, Akila bowled economically in both the games. I wanted to bowl more dot balls. It was a team effort. All the players contributed, that's why we ended up winning 2-0," Theekshana added.