Sri Lanka middle-order batter Charith Asalanka turned heads with the ball in the Super Fours clash against India in Colombo today (September 12), taking four wickets for just 18 runs.
Left-arm spinner Danis Wellerage runs through India’s top orderAfter winning his maiden ODI 5-for, part-time spinner Asaranka now spins his way through India’s top order It was my turn to shake it up.
Asalanka, bowling for the seventh time in his ODI career, turned to attack in the 31st over as Sri Lanka sought further options to take advantage of the spin-friendly conditions at the R Premadasa Stadium. So far, he has taken a single his wicket in his 78 international matches. India would have had a chance against his part-time spin, but Asaranka had other ideas.
After bowling 4 runs in two quiet overs, he added his name to the wicket column and took the big wicket of Ishan Kishan in the 35th over of the innings. Asaranka managed to take the ball off the surface. After 4 overs, it was Ravindra Jadeja’s turn to give the wicketkeeper a turnover as a gloved ball.
Asalanka’s first six overs cost them two wickets for just 14 runs, but they were not done yet. He took a shot at Jasprit Bumrah’s bat and ball, resulting in a dismissal that would make the world’s best off-spinner proud. On the very next ball, Kuldeep Yadav deflected the ball wide leading to first slip and India slipped to his 186 for nine.
India’s number 11, Mohammed Siraj, was treated for a slip, foot slip and short leg on the Test pitch. Play was halted due to rain after the 47th over, leaving India with a score of 197-9, but he managed to survive a double-spin threat from Asaranka and Mahesh Teekshana. After the restart of the game, Asaranka had the opportunity to take his fifth wicket.
Asalanka has a total of 1 wicket in his last 78 international matches with an impressive record of 9 wins, 1 loss, 18 wins and 4 losses.
Charith Asalanka is on a hattrick, dismissing Kuldeep for a golden duck.
There were four wickets on the day, making it a memorable outing for the part-time player.
The Premadasa crowd has been entertained!
β Behram Qazi π΅π° π¨π¦ (@DeafMango) 1 2023 Jan 9
Asalanka bowling like Graeme Swann!
β Omkar Mankame (@Oam_16) 1 September 9, 2023
Asalanka shows what #India has been missing.
Value of a part-time spinner in the top 4. #INDvsSL < /p>
β Broken Cricket Dreams Cricket-Blog (@cricket_broken) 12. 2023 εΉ΄ 9 ζ
In 38 ODIs Charith Asalanka had bowled just 14 overs before today. Now heβs getting the ball to turn and jump. Tells you all you need to know about the surface.#INDvSL #AsiaCup2023
β Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) 12. September 2023
Part-timer Charith Asalanka is running riot against india with the ball. π¦#AsiaCup2023 #INDvSL
β Saif Ahmed π§π© (@saifahmed75) 12. September 2023
Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match analysis, player interviews, and much more.
