Kept Nissanka's batting in mind as I came up with a plan: Wellalage

Dunith Wellalage continued his good record against India in the first ODI at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, as both sides played out a tie.  After choosing to bat first, Sri Lanka were in dire trouble after losing five wickets for just 101 by the 27th over. However, Wellalage joined hands with Janith Liyanage (20 off 26) and took Sri Lanka to a creditable 230/8 in 50 overs on a pitch that had ample help available for spinners. 

India had a flying start in the chase, courtesy of Rohit Sharma’s 58 off 47. However, Wellalage got both Sharma and his opening partner, Shubman Gill and jolted India after a strong start. Post that none of the Indian batters could carry on long and finish the chase despite being set, and a nervy finish ensured that Sri Lanka tied the game. 

Wellalage was adjudged the Player of the Match for his all-round performance. When asked about his batting composure, he credited Pathum Nissanka, who scored a very solid 56 off 75 in the game. 

“They have a lot of experienced bowlers, so the more we can limit our mistakes, the more pressure we can put on them,” the all-rounder said. 

“I was watching Pathum Nissanka bat quite a lot. I kept his batting in mind as I came up with a plan. If you take the pitch, it was one that supported spin bowling. I tried to put as much pressure on the bowler as possible and build partnerships.”

While coming on to bowl, Wellalage bowled within himself, using the help available from the pitch. He got Rohit Sharma LBW by flighting the ball up to him and making him play a sweep, which he missed as the ball moved just enough to evade his bat. Shortly after, he made Gill miscue a flighted delivery that turned away from him as he also looked to sweep against the turn. 

“We knew that the wicket was spinning, so Charith Asalanka told me that I would be bowling in the powerplay. I had good support from the wicket, too,” Wellalage remarked. 

"With Rohit at the time, I was trying just to bowl wicket-to-wicket because I knew how much assistance the pitch provided. When we bowled, the game changed with the wickets that Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka took. 

"They took wickets at very difficult times, and that's how we were able to at least keep it to this score. If you take Axar Patel and KL Rahul, these are batters who have finished a lot of matches.

"At that time, we needed to get the bowlers in, and when Asalanka got Axar out and Wanindu aiya got KL Rahul out, it was important to stay calm at that stage, and the match turned our way.”

With the first game tied, the second ODI of the three-match becomes extremely crucial and will be played on Sunday (August 4) in Colombo. 

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