Experienced young gun Dunith Wellalage shines in Sri Lanka’s drawn first ODI against India
Dunith Wellalage, a promising 21-year-old all-rounder, produced an exceptional performance in Sri Lanka’s thrilling drawn first ODI against India at Khettarama. Batting at number seven, Wellalage top-scored for the hosts with a crucial 67* off 65 balls, guiding Sri Lanka to a respectable total of 230/8.
On a pitch favoring spin, Wellalage’s mature innings proved crucial, as he drew inspiration from teammate Pathum Nissanka’s batting approach. “I was watching Pathum Nissanka bat quite a lot. I put his batting in my mind as I came up with a plan,” Wellalage revealed.
With the ball, the left-arm spinner made a significant impact, dismissing in-form Indian captain Rohit Sharma (58 off 47) and opener Shubman Gill with well-flighted deliveries. Wellalage’s two wickets for 39 runs in nine overs were instrumental in keeping India’s chase in check.
“We knew that the wicket was spinning. So Charith Asalanka had told me that I would be bowling in the powerplay. I had good support from the wicket too,” Wellalage said.
The middle and late overs were dominated by the experienced duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka, who took three wickets each to tie the game. Wellalage praised their efforts, stating:
“When we bowled, the game changed with the wickets that Wanindu aiya and Charith aiya took. They took wickets at very difficult times, and that’s how we were able to at least keep it to this score.”
Dunith Wellalage’s all-round performance, combining a crucial knock with effective bowling, showcased his growing maturity and talent, making him a promising prospect for Sri Lanka’s future in the 100-ball cricket, backyard cricket, beach cricket, and club cricket formats.
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