Historic Win For Sri Lanka Against India In ODI Series 2023: Awards And Highlights

India faced a significant defeat in the third ODI against Sri Lanka, losing by 110 runs at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on August 7. This loss marked India's first bilateral ODI series defeat to Sri Lanka since 1997.

Sri Lanka's spinners played a crucial role throughout the series, consistently troubling India's batting lineup. Wellalage, who excelled with both bat and ball in the tied first ODI, secured his second five-wicket haul of the series, helping Sri Lanka clinch their first ODI series win against India in 27 years.

• Most Sixes Award: Avishka Fernando for two sixes - USD 1000
• Moment of the Match Award: Avishka Fernando for back-to-back sixes - USD1500
• Player of the match: Avishka Fernando for his 96 off 102 balls - USD 2000
• Winner of the Match Award: Sri Lanka - USD 2000
• Player of the Series: Dunith Wellalage for 108 runs and 7 wickets - USD 3000
• Winner of the Series Award: Sri Lanka - USD 10000 and a trophy

The Indian team struggled to chase down a target of 249 runs, collapsing to 101/8 before being bowled out for just 138 in 26.1 overs. This result handed Sri Lanka a decisive series victory with a scoreline of 2-0. The first match had ended in a tie, while Sri Lanka won the second ODI by 32 runs.

Dunith Wellalage (Man of the Series): "I want to thank my skipper, team mates and coaching staff. Everyone gave me great support and that's why I am here. We adjusted to the wicket as it was turning. It was same like the first two ODIs and committed less mistakes today. The batters did a good job and then the spinners bowled well. Everyone is supporting each other and I am excited to be part of the team."

Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka captain): "I am a happy captain right now. The team did all things right throughout the series. We all knew they are a strong batting line up and we wanted to back our strength, spin was our strength and we backed it. They are in a good mood right now and our coach (Sanath Jayasuriya) is very active. The boys really enjoyed the team environment."

Avishka Fernando (Man of the Match): "Very happy with the innings. The batters got together and did a good job. It was a challenging wicket and a bit disappointed not to get a hundred but happy with the win."

IND vs SL 3rd ODI: Key Stats

• 27 wickets lost by India to spin bowling is the most by any team in a bilateral ODI series (Maximum three matches)
• Dunith Wellalage became the first spinner to take two ODI five-wicket hauls against India
• India have lost nine or more wickets against spin in an ODI match five times. All have come against Sri Lanka and all at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. India lost nine wickets thrice in this series alone. They lost nine wickets once more in 1997, and ten wickets once last year.

Rohit Sharma (India captain):"(Problem against spin) I don't think it is a concern. But it is something we have to look at individually and as a game plan. (If India was complacent) It is a joke, when you are playing for India there is never going to be complacency. When I am captain there is no chance of that. But you have to give credit to good cricket.

"Sri Lanka played better than us. We looked at the conditions and went with combinations; there are also guys who need to be looked at hence changes were made. There are many areas we need to look at rather than positives from this series because we need better preparation when encountering such conditions next time."

"These things happen; losing one series isn't catastrophic; you will lose an odd series here and there but it's about how you come back after loss."

This series highlighted India's vulnerability against spin bowling as they lost numerous wickets across all three matches due to effective spin attacks from Sri Lankan bowlers.