Table of Contents
- Dunith Wellalage’s maiden five-wicket haul stuns India in the Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 clash.
- Sri Lanka spinners rewrite history by claiming all ten Indian wickets to spin.
- Wellalage’s rising star status, from U19 World Cup excellence to Asia Cup brilliance.
In a scintillating display of cricketing prowess, spinner Dunith Wellalage, a prominent figure in the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2022, assumed the role of a bowling maestro, leading Sri Lanka’s exceptional bowling onslaught against India in the Super 4 clash of the Asia Cup 2023 in Colombo.
Wellalage’s left-arm spin proved to be the game-changer as he orchestrated a maiden five-wicket haul, a remarkable feat that sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. His scintillating spell not only dismantled India’s top order but also fueled his aspirations for a maiden appearance at the senior Cricket World Cup, slated to commence next month.
The story unfolded with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill establishing a solid opening stand for India. Wellalage, however, entered the scene with a delivery that turned sharply, bamboozling Shubman Gill and finding the outside edge.
His brilliance continued as he nearly induced a leading edge from the bat of none other than Virat Kohli. In the subsequent delivery, Kohli fell victim to Wellalage’s crafty bowling when a shorter delivery clung to the wicket, leading Kohli to miscue the flick to mid-wicket.
Wellalage’s masterpiece wasn’t complete just yet. He penetrated Rohit Sharma’s solid defense with a skiddy delivery that kept low, shattering the leg-stump. His remarkable spell reached its crescendo with the dismissal of KL Rahul, securing a five-wicket haul with the final ball he bowled.
Teaming up with Charith Asalanka, whose part-time off-spin contributed four crucial wickets, Sri Lanka spinners achieved a remarkable feat by taking all ten wickets in India’s innings. Maheesh Theekshana provided the finishing touch by taking the last wicket, effectively bowling India out after a rain-induced break.
Sri Lanka spinners had earlier done it, outshining their own record
This historic moment marked the first instance in a men’s ODI where India had lost all ten wickets to spin. Interestingly, this scenario echoed events that transpired at the same venue in 1997 when Sri Lanka spinners claimed nine wickets against India, a record until this astonishing feat.
For Dunith Wellalage, this maiden five-wicket haul signifies his steady ascent as an international cricketer, following his outstanding performance at the U19 stage during the 2022 ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup. In that tournament, he topped the wickets chart with an impressive tally of 17 scalps. Adding to his credentials, Wellalage had a commendable outing with the bat, amassing 264 runs at an average of 44, including a century.
Wellalage’s mesmerizing spin, combined with the collective brilliance of Sri Lanka’s bowlers, saw India being bundled out for a modest 213 in a pivotal Super 4 fixture of the Asia Cup 2023. His rise as a cricketing sensation continues to captivate cricket enthusiasts worldwide, and his future in the sport looks nothing short of promising.
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