Asia Cup: After Pakistan high, India crash to a new batting low against Sri Lanka | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Having produced a masterclass batting effort against Pakistan a day before, India were expected to replicate their performance against Sri Lanka, but they suffered a new low in their second Super Four match of the Asia Cup.
Sri Lankan spin duo of Dunith Wellalage (5/40 in 10 overs) and part-timer Charith Asalanka (4/18 in 9 overs) made the batters dance to their tunes as India lost all their wickets to spinners for the first time in history. Maheesh Theekshana was the third spinner to have chipped in with a wicket.
This was the 10th instance wherein spinners have bagged all 10 wickets in an ODI innings, the first against India. India had lost nine wickets to spin against Sri Lanka at the same venue back in 1997.

The last time Sri Lanka spinners claimed all 10 wickets in an ODI innings was against Zimbabwe in 2001 at the same venue. Sri Lanka also bettered their world record by bowling out the opposition for the 14th consecutive time.
Talking about the match, India seemed to be cruising to a big total but witnessed a dramatic collapse after from 80/0 to being bowled out for 213 in 49.1 overs.
Left-arm spinner Wellalage and offie Asalanka knifed through the star-studded line-up after India opted to bat.
But before spinners exploited the generous turn and grip on the Premadasa pitch, India started their innings in a blazing fashion.

Rohit Sharma, who made 53 off 48 balls, added 80 runs for the opening wicket with Shubman Gill (19), and that remained the brightest phase of Indian innings.