[Watch] Riyan Parag dismisses Avishka Fernando to claim his maiden ODI wicket in IND vs SL series finale
Team India all-rounder Riyan Parag got the crucial wicket of opening batter Avishka Fernando to open his account in ODI cricket in the ongoing series final against Sri Lanka. The Indian youngster was handed his maiden ODI cap by Virat Kohli ahead of the contest at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday, August 7.
After a well-compiled 40 in the previous contest, Avishka Fernando went one step further to score a fifty and beyond in the crucial contest. The opening batter started out cautiously, but switched gears effortlessly and then took the mantle as the settled batter in the middle overs.
He was in sight of the fourth ODI ton of his career after moving to 96 runs with a boundary off Riyan Parag in the 36th over. However, he was undone by a full delivery that went straight after pitching. The ball hit him straight on the pad as he tried to play for the spin.
Fernando did not consider going for a review considering how plumb the call was and begrudgingly made his way back to the pavilion after getting agonisingly close to a ton.
Have a look at the dismissal right here:
Team India included Riyan Parag in the mix to strengthen their batting as well as have another spin bowling option in the subcontinent conditions at the expense of a seamer.
Parag had rolled his arm over in the recently concluded T20I series as well. He impressed while bowling in the death overs, and picked up three wickets in the series opener.
Riyan Parag struck once again to dismiss Charith Asalanka and help India claw their way back into the game
The off-spinner continued to bowl from one end after making the breakthrough. He was hit for a six in the first ball of his next over by Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka, but he responded well by trapping him LBW in the final ball of the over.
The left-handed batter did take a review, but with three reds coming up on the screen, he had to walk away after scoring only 10 runs off 12 deliveries.
Riyan Parag has bowled four overs so far, conceding 26 runs with two wickets to his name.