Sri Lanka beat India to win first ODI series between sides in 27 years

Sri Lanka clinched their first bilateral one-day international series win over India in 27 years with a 110-run victory in the third match in Colombo.

Opener Avishka Fernando hit 96 to help Sri Lanka post 248-7, before left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage took 5-27 as India crumbled to 138 all out.

Sri Lanka won the series 2-0, having won the second ODI by 32 runs after the first match ended in a dramatic tie.

The hosts’ last bilateral ODI series victory over India was in August 1997, with India unbeaten in the next 13 such series, with 11 wins and two drawn series.

India won last month’s Twenty20 series 3-0.

It is Sri Lanka’s first limited-overs series under new captain Charith Asalanka and interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya, who took over after ex-England boss Chris Silverwood stepped down following their T20 World Cup group-stage exit.

“We are in a really good mood right now, especially our coach,” said Asalanka.

“He made a few changes in the team, and the boys really enjoyed the team environment.”

After winning the toss, Sri Lanka reached 171-1 thanks to Fernando’s 102-ball knock, before his dismissal saw them lose five wickets for 28 runs.

But wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis’ 59 off 82 balls guided them to a challenging total on a turning pitch at the R Premadasa Stadium.

India captain Rohit Sharma, who hit 35, and star batter Virat Kohli, who made 20, both fell to Wellalage as the tourists lost regular wickets to be bowled out in only 26.1 overs.