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WI Vs SL Highlights: Theekshana, Asalanka Carry Sri Lanka After Windies Shameful Collapse

Akshita Patel

Sri Lanka wins second ODI vs West Indies to take 2-0 lead in 3-game series (@SriLankaTweet/X.com)Sri Lanka wins second ODI vs West Indies to take 2-0 lead in 3-game series (@SriLankaTweet/X.com)

Sri Lanka asserted its dominance at home by beating West Indies by 5 wickets in the second ODI held at Pallekele. In a rain-hit game, the visitors toiled hard to put 189-run total in the first innings, courtesy of a record 9th wicket partnership by Rutherford and Motie. However, Sri Lanka, despite losing quick wickets in powerplay, kept the required rate under control as captain Charith Asalanka scored an unbeaten 62* off 61 to power his side to a series victory.

Here’s the timeline of how WI Vs SL panned out in Pallekele:

WI vs SL Highlights: Theekshana-Hasaranga destroys WI to induce collapse

Rain interruptions reduced the game to 44 overs per side, and under windy conditions, Sri Lanka bowled first to completely demolish West Indies from the core. Maheesh Theekshana drew first blood to remove Alick Athanaze before Asitha Fernando dismissed Brandon King in a caught and bowled effort. In the blink of an eye, West Indies went from 17/2 to 58/8 courtesy of phenomenal spells from Theekshana and Hasaranga. As many as 8 batters scored single-digit runs, and the visitors were in for a shambolic loss.

WI vs SL Highlights: Rutherford and Motie stitches record partnership for 9th wicket

Sri Lanka, out of nowhere, lost control of the game as they let Sherfane Rutherford and Gudakesh Motie put together a 119-run partnership for the 9th wicket, which is the highest in the Windies’ ODI cricket history. Rutherford, in contrast to his explosive hitting style, played a gritty knock of 80 off 82 balls, whereas Motie supported him brilliantly from the other end to score 50* off 61 balls. That unexpected resistance helped West Indies post a respectable total of 189 runs to somehow stay in contention.

WI vs SL Highlights: Sri Lanka off to a shaky start

The conditions were equally difficult for Sri Lanka to bat on in the second inning. Avishka Fernando fell prey to Alzarri Joseph’s back-of-the-length delivery as a faint edge carried to Brandon King at slip. Kusal Mendis followed next as Gudakesh Motie bowled him with a quick delivery. Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka added 50 runs for the third wicket but the former was dismissed by Roston Chase.

WI vs SL Highlights: Charith Asalanka guides SL to victory with 62* off 61

Sri Lanka were in control of the chase after the third wicket partnership. Skipper Charith Asalanka then stacked another 50-run partnership with Janith Liyanage before the latter was dismissed in a mixup while running between the wickets. Regardless, the captain shouldered the responsibility to stay till the end and wrap up the chase in 38.2 overs. Asalanka scored an unbeaten 62 off 61 balls, and with that, Sri Lanka took a 2-0 invincible lead in the three-game ODI series.