SL vs IND: Top 3 wicket-takers in the ODI series

Following their 3-0 whitewash in the T20I series, many anticipated a similar outcome in the ODI leg of the Sri Lanka-India series. However, the hosts defied expectations, growing stronger with each match. After tying the first ODI, they secured victories in the second and third, clinching a historic 2-0 series triumph. On that note, let’s delve into the top three wicket-takers, all of whom hail from the Lankan side.

3) Charith Asalanka (6 wickets)

Having not bowled at all during the three T20Is, few anticipated the skipper to take up the ball, perhaps expecting only a few overs at most. However, in a surprising turn of events, the skipper emerged as an unexpected force with the ball. Although his contributions with the bat were minimal, with low scores in all matches, he became a key wicket-taker, claiming six wickets—three in each of the first two ODIs. His standout performance came in the first ODI, where he not only secured three crucial wickets, including the final two to tie the match but also proved to be the most economical compared to the other three primary spinners in the team.

2) Dunith Wellagage (7 wickets)

Entering the ODI setup after being sidelined in the T20I series, it wasn’t until the third ODI that he wreaked havoc on the Indian dressing room, claiming five wickets in just 5.1 overs to secure only the second five-wicket haul of his ODI career. His overall performance with the ball was matched by his contributions with the bat, as his crucial knocks in the first two ODIs proved instrumental in his team’s success. In the second ODI, he dismissed the well-set openers, playing a key role in that victory as well. Ultimately, his all-round brilliance earned him the Player of the Series award.

1) Jeffrey Vandersay (8 wickets)

The crafty leg-spinner returned to the international stage after nearly seven months and made an immediate impact upon being introduced into the attack. The Indian batters were utterly baffled by his deceptive mastery. For a bowler who had never previously claimed a five-wicket haul in ODIs, he astonishingly leaped to six, a devastating spell that duly earned him the Player of the Match award. His contribution in the third ODI was particularly significant, as he dismissed Riyan Parag and, shortly after, the spin-hitting Shivam Dube, both of which were pivotal moments in the fixture.