Sri Lanka XI dashed home hopes to clinch the three-match one-day series against Boost India XI here at the Chinnaswamy stadium on Wednesday.
After losing the first match on Monday, India XI had squared the series on Tuesday with a six-wicket win. But the hosts faltered at the final hurdle losing the series-deciding third match by four wickets.
Electing to bowl first, the Sri Lankans did well to restrict their opponents to a modest 177 all out in 49.3 overs. Kumar Chaturanga caused major damage picking up four for 29 as none of the India batsmen -- barring the tenacious Vikas Singh -- got going. But for Vikas’ fighting 59 (91b, 7x4, 1x6), India XI would have fared a lot worse.
The visitors were off to a shaky start losing their opener Prashan with the score reading only 13. However, a 41-run partnership between Deshan Dias and Nuwan Dharshana steadied the ship before Sandun Weerakkam (72 n.o.) took charge of the situation and steered his side, to a facile victory. The left-hander, unperturbed by slight middle-order batsmen, hit an unbeaten 79 (87b, 9x4, 1x6).
Brief scores: Boost India XI: 177 all out in 49.3 overs (Vikas Singh 59; Kumar Chaturanga 4-29) lt to Sri Lanka XI: 180/6 in 39.2 overs (Nuwan Darshana 25, Sandun Weerakkam 72 n.o.; Rohan Yadav 2-36).
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