Innings Sri Lanka 215 (Nuwanindu 50, Mendis 34, Wellalage 32, Siraj 3-30, Kuldeep 3-51) vs India
The innings’ nosedive was forged more of Sri Lanka’s incompetence in this format than India’s particular excellence. Mendis had batted nicely for his run-a-ball 34, but got hit on the back leg by a Kuldeep googly at the end of the 17th over, having misread the modest turn. Dhananjaya de Silva let an Axar arm ball slide between bat and pad; Asalanka sent a leading edge back to Kuldeep, the bowler; Shanaka got too far inside the line and let Kuldeep spin one into his pads and then leg stump; later, the bowling allrounders (Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage and Chamika Karunaratne) were all caught by Axar at backward point, two of them off Malik.
The lowest third of the innings had at least added some value before departing, however. Hasaranga made 21 off 17, Karunaratne 17 off 25, and Wellalage played perhaps the most responsible innings of the three, despite being the most junior, producing 32 off 34. It was thanks to them that Sri Lanka breached 200.
Through Nuwanidu’s fifty, though, Sri Lanka had at least one positive. He was cautious against the new ball, leaving often, defending plenty, though he rarely seemed anxious even when he faced 10 scoreless deliveries to start, then had got to only 6 off the first 20. He was strong behind square, finding most of his runs, and four of his six boundaries, there. This was all the more impressive given he was batting out of position – he usually comes in at No. 4 or lower in domestic cricket.