By Razeen Gutta
Sri Lanka defeated India by a mammoth 110 runs in the third and final one-day international to seal the series 2-0.
Despite having Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in the squad, the Indians struggled in the 50-over format, losing back-to-back games after the first encounter was tied.
While Gautam Gambhir had a flying start in the T20 series, picking up a whitewash win, his first ODI series did not go as planned – with Sri Lanka winning a series against the men in blue for the first time in 27 years.
Debutant Riyan Parag took 3/54 as India pulled it back well with the ball to restrict the hosts to 248/7 in their 50 overs when a 300-plus score looked almost inevitable at one stage.
Sharma started well at the top as India looked to go the aggressive route in the run chase. It would be a spinners day yet again, though; and Dunith Wellalage was the star with the ball.
The 21-year-old picked up Sharma (35) and Kohli (20) as he took 5/27 to bowl India out for just 138 in what will be a forgettable day for Gambhir’s troops.
The Indians will next turn their attention to test match cricket when they host Bangladesh next month.
Pictured above: Sri Lanka.
Source: @espncricinfo
