(Image Source: Twitter)
[Saba Sports News] In the Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 encounter between India and Sri Lanka at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on September 12, fans were treated to an engaging spectacle.
Choosing to bat first, India was dismissed for 213 in 49.1 overs, courtesy of Dunith Wellalage‘s superb bowling performance of 5/40 in ten overs. In the second innings, the 20-year-old shone with the bat, contributing 42* off 46 balls. However, his efforts couldn’t secure a victory for Sri Lanka, who lost by 41 runs.
After the match concluded, a video of a scuffle among fans at the stadium went viral on social media. The video captured a Sri Lankan fan in a jersey confronting and throwing punches at another person, followed by a group warning two individuals to leave the venue.
Turning back to the match, India, after winning the toss, chose to bat first, with captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill providing a strong start by amassing 80 runs for the first wicket from 67 balls. Despite this promising beginning, Wellalage made a crucial impact by dismissing Gill (19 off 25), Rohit Sharma (53 off 48), and Virat Kohli (3 off 12), reducing India to 90/3.
Dunith Wellalage was named the Player of the Match for his exceptional all-round performance.
He not only secured his first-ever five-wicket haul with figures of 5/40 but also emerged as the top scorer for his team with an unbeaten 42* off 46 balls, including three fours and a six. He shared a crucial partnership of 63 runs with Dhananjaya de Silva (41 off 66) for the seventh wicket. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka couldn’t find support from other batsmen and were eventually bowled out for 172.
Despite ending on the losing side, Wellalage’s outstanding performance earned him the Player of the Match award.