Fans Troll Indian Batsmen For Poor Show vs Sri Lankan Spinners – Charith Asalanka is a part-time off-spinner who had taken just 1 wicket in his 36-ODI career before today. On Tuesday, at the R.Premadasa Stadium, the same venue where India had piled up 356 runs against Pakistan, Asalanka ripped through India’s lower order with 4 wickets in his 9-overs spell, including a maiden.
In came as a shock to the Indian fans that less than 24 hours after their stunning batting show against Pakistan, the same batting-order crippled against two Sri Lankan spinners – Dunith Wellalage and Charith Asalanka. After the highs of last night, the Indian batting line-up was given a reality check by the Sri Lankan spin duo.
After electing to bat first, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma once again gave a good start with their 80-run partnership, with Rohit in particular looking aggressive and dangerous.
Dunith Wellalage was introduced in the 12th over and straightaway struck on his first ball, bowling Shubman Gill with a beauty. In his next over, he struck with the big wicket of Virat Kohli, who had less than 24 hours prior celebrated his fourth consecutive century in Colombo. In his next over, Wellalage bowled the set batsman, Rohit Sharma. Wellalage got his fourth one in the form of KL Rahul, chipping back a catch to the bowler after setting in for a good knock.
Next came Charith Asalanka in the 31st over, and, well, he was made to look like a legendary off-spinner on this surface. He first got Ishan Kishan caught at cover while from the other end, Wellalage completed his five-wicket haul with Hardik Pandya’s wicket. Asalanka then proceeded to rip through the rest of the batters – dismissing Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav- with some jaffas.
Rain halted this procession as India were struggling at 197/9 in 47 overs. The malfunction of India’s batting after the opening stand led to a spate of memes on social media.
Hilarious memes after Indian batters struggled vs Sri Lankan spinners:
