(Source X)
Versatile cricketer Dunith Wellalage has addressed his omission from the Sri Lankan T20I squad for the recent three-match series against India. This discussion follows his notable performance in the first ODI of the series, where he made a significant impact with both bat and ball.
Sri Lanka faced a 3-0 defeat against India, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, in the series held last month. Throughout the matches, the Sri Lankan team struggled with collapses in their middle-order batting. During these games, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana were utilized as specialist spinners.
Right Decision To Leave Me Out Of The T20Is – Dunith Wellalage
During the post-match press conference, Dunith Wellalage supported the decision to leave him out of the T20I squad. He acknowledged that Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana are the primary spinners for Sri Lanka. Wellalage also highlighted that India’s lineup featured several left-handed batsmen, which may have influenced the selection choices.
“I think it’s the right decision to leave me out of the T20Is since Wanindu and Maheesh are our main spinners, and the India team had several left-hand batters,” Dunith Wellalage told reporters.
Dunith Wellalage was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka’s captain chose to bat first at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, August 2. Mohammed Siraj struck early, dismissing opener Avishka Fernando for just one run in the third over. Shivam Dube then removed Kusal Mendis, who contributed 14 runs off 31 balls. The Sri Lankan side faltered, collapsing to 101-5 in 26.3 overs.
Pathum Nissanka scored a valuable 56 runs from 75 balls, including nine boundaries, before being dismissed by Washington Sundar. At this point, India seemed poised to restrict Sri Lanka to under 200 runs. However, Dunith Wellalage played a crucial role, forming vital partnerships with lower-order batsmen to lift Sri Lanka to a respectable total of 230 runs.
Wellalage and Janith Liyanage combined for a significant 41-run partnership for the sixth wicket before Liyanage was out for 20 runs, bowled by Axar Patel. This left Sri Lanka at 142-6. Wellalage then added 36 runs with Wanindu Hasaranga for the seventh wicket. Hasaranga made 24 runs off 35 balls, with one four and two sixes.
Arshdeep Singh dismissed Wanindu Hasaranga in the 43rd over. Wellalage continued to push Sri Lanka’s total, reaching his half-century with a single in the 48th over. He then struck a four and a six off Mohammed Siraj in the final over, helping Sri Lanka post a competitive total.
With the ball, Dunith Wellalage also made a significant impact. The left-arm spinner took crucial wickets of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, conceding just 39 runs in his nine overs. Despite a strong start by the Indian team in the powerplay, they were eventually bowled out for 230 runs, matching Sri Lanka’s total.
