Sri Lanka restricts India to 213 in stunning first innings

Sri Lanka restricted India to a total of 213 runs in a brilliant first innings display during their match in the Super Four stage of the 2023 Asia Cup tournament.

The Indian innings began with fireworks as skipper Rohit Sharma blazed his way to a quickfire 53 off 48 balls, laced with 7 boundaries and 2 sixes. 

At one point, India looked comfortable at 80 without loss after 11 overs. 

However, the tide turned dramatically with the emergence of 20-year-old left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage, who orchestrated a stunning collapse by claiming a five-wicket haul, conceding only 40 runs in his 10 overs. 

While Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul tried to rebuild the innings, they too fell after crossing the 30-run mark. Charith Asalanka, a part-time off-spinner, chimed in with 4 crucial wickets, dismantling the middle and lower order of the Indian batting lineup. 

The Sri Lankan spinners exploited the spinning conditions to the fullest, and the Indian batters paid the price for it.

Sri Lanka now face the challenge of chasing down 214 runs in 50 overs, with Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne as their opening batsmen.