Sri Lanka's top-order batters and spinners played pivotal roles in their series victory over India, a team they had only beaten three times in ODIs since 2015. Captain Charith Asalanka highlighted these key factors in their success.
In a series played on turning tracks, Sri Lanka tied the first match, secured a comfortable win in the second, and clinched the third match by 110 runs. Throughout the series, they bowled India out three times, with their spinners claiming 27 out of the 30 wickets. Jeffrey Vandersay, despite playing only two games, took eight wickets, Dunith Wellalage claimed seven, and Asalanka himself took six. Notably, they achieved this without their premier spinner, Wanindu Hasaranga, who missed the last two games due to a leg injury.
Asalanka expressed his delight at winning a series against India after 27 years and praised the spinners for their outstanding performance. While the spinners were expected to excel on such favourable tracks, the top order also delivered crucial performances. Avishka Fernando's 96 in the third match was the highest score of the series, and fellow opener Pathum Nissanka contributed 101 runs in a low-scoring series. Kusal Mendis added 103 runs, including a vital 59 in the final match.
Asalanka noted that batting was easier until the ball aged and spun more. Their strategy was for a top-order batsman to play a significant innings, with others supporting to build a strong score. This approach was successful, exemplified by Avishka's 96, a notable achievement on challenging pitches.
The captain credited the coaching staff and himself for challenging the top-order batsmen to perform, which resulted in consistent starts, unlike in previous years. Asalanka observed that two or three years ago, Sri Lanka often struggled to get good starts in ODIs, but now they have a solid foundation, indicating the team's maturity.
Reflecting on their turnaround after a 3-0 defeat in the T20Is, Asalanka attributed it to a team environment that encouraged freedom, supported by interim coach Sanath Jayasuriya. They aimed to create a positive environment, giving players the freedom to showcase their talent without pressure, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and backing the players even if they failed. Asalanka believed this approach helped them compete against top teams, stating that the positives seen in their top order during the T20Is gave him confidence that they could perform at their best.