Put nissanka

So Charith Asalanka: Sri Lanka’s left-arm spin all-rounder Dunith Wellalage, who chipped with an all-round performance – 67 not out and 2-39 – in the tied first ODI against India, said he came up with a batting plan in his mind at the R Premadasa Stadium after taking inspiration from in-form opener Pathum Nissanka.

On a slow and dry pitch which aided spinners, Sri Lanka were in trouble at 101/5, and it seemed they would suffer another batting collapse, just like how it was in T20Is. But Wellalage stepped up to hit seven fours and two sixes in his 67 not out off 65 balls and take Sri Lanka to 230/8.

In what was also his maiden ODI fifty, Wellalage mixed smartness with solid cricketing shots. He also shared three crucial partnerships of 41, 36 and 46 with Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga and Akila Dananjaya respectively to give Sri Lanka a fighting total, which was enough for them to secure a dramatic tie.