Cricket
Charith Asalanka Stars in Sri Lanka’s Dramatic ODI Victory Over Australia

Sri Lanka secured a stunning 49-run win over Australia in the first ODI of their series, defending a modest total of 214 runs—the second-lowest total ever defended against Australia in men’s ODIs since 2005. Charith Asalanka played a match-winning role, scoring a brilliant 127 runs off 126 balls, guiding Sri Lanka to an unexpected victory in Colombo.
Asalanka’s Heroic Century Leads Sri Lanka
After Sri Lanka was reduced to 135 for 8, Asalanka took charge, delivering a match-defining knock. He formed a crucial 79-run partnership with Eshan Malinga for the ninth wicket, with Malinga contributing just 1 run off 26 balls. Asalanka’s 127 runs accounted for over 59% of Sri Lanka’s total runs, marking one of the highest individual contributions in Sri Lanka’s ODI history.
Australia’s Struggles in the Chase
Australia, missing key players such as Travis Head, Josh Inglis, and Glenn Maxwell, started their chase poorly, losing four wickets in the first ten overs. Matt Short was dismissed for a duck, and Jake Fraser-McGurk fell cheaply. Despite Alex Carey and Marnus Labuschagne attempting to rebuild the innings, Australia collapsed to 85 for 6, giving Sri Lanka a strong grip on the match.
Sri Lanka’s Bowlers Dominate
Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Maheesh Theekshana (4/40), were exceptional in dismantling Australia’s top order. Asitha Fernando and Dunith Wellalage provided crucial breakthroughs, ensuring Australia never found their rhythm. Aaron Hardie and Sean Abbott showed resistance, but their efforts weren’t enough to chase down the target.
Asalanka’s Contribution in Context
Asalanka’s 127 runs were not only the second-highest score by a Sri Lankan batter against Australia in ODIs but also marked his fourth career century in the format. His knock was a blend of patience and aggression, with aggressive shots coming at crucial moments to shift the momentum in Sri Lanka’s favor.
Australia’s Seam Attack
Australia’s seam-heavy attack, led by Abbott, Hardie, and Spencer Johnson, initially troubled Sri Lanka’s top order, especially in the humid conditions of Colombo. However, Asalanka’s dominance with the bat turned the match in Sri Lanka’s favor, despite strong spells from the Australian bowlers.
Sri Lanka’s Resilience
Sri Lanka’s 214 runs were initially thought to be insufficient, but a disciplined bowling performance ensured they defended the total successfully. Asalanka’s leadership and resilience with the bat, coupled with the bowlers’ sharp performance, guided Sri Lanka to an unexpected ODI win over a weakened Australian side.
Key Highlights:
- Charith Asalanka scores a match-winning 127 runs.
- Sri Lanka defends 214 runs to beat Australia by 49 runs.
- Maheesh Theekshana claims 4 wickets, while Asitha Fernando and Dunith Wellalage also contribute crucial breakthroughs.
- Australia crumbles to 165 all out, with Aaron Hardie and Sean Abbott making late resistance.
Sri Lanka’s 49-run victory over Australia is a significant achievement, continuing their strong ODI form and showing their fighting spirit despite not qualifying for the Champions Trophy. This victory marks Sri Lanka’s 8th win in their last 12 ODIs, showcasing a promising future for the team.
Cricket
Sri Lanka Women Stun India in Record-Breaking Run Chase at R. Premadasa
Sri Lanka Women pulled off a sensational chase to defeat India Women by 3 wickets with 5 balls to spare in a high-scoring thriller at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo during the fourth match of the Women’s ODI Tri-Series 2025. Chasing a formidable target of 276, the home side held their nerve to reach 278/7, registering one of their most memorable victories in ODI history.
India Women, after being put in to bat first, posted a commanding 275/9 in their 50 overs. The innings was anchored by a fluent 50 from Richa Ghosh, who struck 5 fours and 2 sixes in her 42-ball knock. Useful contributions from the top and middle order pushed India past the 250-mark, despite late wickets stalling momentum.
Sri Lanka’s chase started steadily, but the game came alive in the middle overs thanks to key innings from Harshitha Madavi (50 off 57) and skipper Chamari Athapaththu. However, the turning point came when Nilakshika Silva took charge with a blistering 56 off just 33 balls, including 4 boundaries and 3 sixes. Her late onslaught, along with support from the lower middle order, ensured Sri Lanka crossed the finish line at 278/7 in 49.1 overs.
This match also set a record as the highest match aggregate (553 runs) between the two sides in Women’s ODIs, underlining the growing competitiveness of Sri Lanka Women’s cricket on the international stage.
Nilakshika Silva was named Player of the Match for her match-winning knock under pressure.
With this win, Sri Lanka Women have gained valuable momentum and sent a strong message to both opponents in the tri-series, showcasing their depth and fighting spirit.
Match Summary:
- India Women: 275/9 (Richa Ghosh 50, D Hemalatha 34; SL bowlers shared wickets)
- Sri Lanka Women: 278/7 in 49.1 overs (Nilakshika Silva 56*, Harshitha Madavi 50)
Tri-Series 2025: Points Table & Team Form Update
With each team having played at least two matches, the Women’s ODI Tri-Series in Sri Lanka is heating up as both India and Sri Lanka have secured two wins each, while South Africa is yet to register a victory.
Points Table (as of May 4, 2025):
- India Women sit at the top based on a superior Net Run Rate (NRR), despite their 3-wicket loss to Sri Lanka on May 4.
- Sri Lanka Women made a strong comeback after an opening loss to India, now securing back-to-back wins against South Africa and India.
- South Africa Women have struggled, with two straight losses and a negative NRR.
The battle for a place in the final is still open, with each upcoming match carrying significant weight.
Cricket
Sri Lanka Women Deliver Commanding Chase to Seal Victory Against South Africa
Sri Lanka Women produced a composed and clinical batting display to chase down South Africa Women’s total of 235 in a strong all-round performance, continuing their rise in international women’s cricket.
Chasing 236 for victory, Sri Lanka began confidently during the powerplay, putting on 47 runs for the loss of just one wicket in the first 10 overs. The opening platform set the tone for a steady and calculated innings, anchored by key partnerships and individual brilliance.
The second-wicket stand between Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama (Perera) added 50 runs in just 54 balls, giving the visitors momentum. By the 14th over, Sri Lanka Women were comfortably placed at 77/1.
The middle order shone as Harshitha Madavi and Kavisha Dilhari took control, both registering half-centuries in a pivotal 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Madavi reached her fifty in 65 balls, while Dilhari followed shortly with a fluent 61-ball half-century that included five boundaries and a six.
By the 41st over, Sri Lanka had crossed the 200-run mark with seven wickets in hand, cruising toward victory. The pair’s calm approach under pressure ensured that South Africa never regained control of the match.
Earlier in the day, South Africa posted 235/9 in their 50 overs, thanks largely to a resilient knock of 61 from Annerie Dercksen and a solid middle-order partnership with Chloe Tryon. However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers maintained discipline throughout, especially during the death overs, to restrict the hosts to a chaseable total.
This win not only highlights Sri Lanka’s growing depth and maturity in women’s cricket but also sends a strong signal ahead of future ICC tournaments. With batters like Madavi and Dilhari leading the charge and a disciplined bowling unit to back them, Sri Lanka Women continue to impress on the global stage.
Score Summary:
• South Africa Women: 235/9 (50 overs) – Annerie Dercksen 61, Chloe Tryon 34
• Sri Lanka Women: 236/3 (approx. 41 overs) – Harshitha Madavi 50*, Kavisha Dilhari 50*
Cricket
IPL 2025 Playoff Race: Who Will Secure the Final Four Spots?
As the Indian Premier League 2025 enters its final stretch, the playoff battle has intensified with most teams having played 10 of their 14 matches. While some franchises have all but confirmed their spot in the top four, others are locked in a fierce competition to stay alive.
Here’s a look at how the table stands and who’s most likely to make it to the playoffs:
Current Top 4 (after 10 matches):
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – 14 points
- Punjab Kings (PBKS) – 13 points
- Mumbai Indians (MI) – 12 points
- Gujarat Titans (GT) – 12 points (1 game in hand)
RCB has bounced back impressively with 3 consecutive wins, giving them a strong chance of securing a top-two finish. With four matches remaining, two more wins could guarantee their playoff qualification.
PBKS have been solid but inconsistent. With 13 points, they need just one more win to stay ahead, though their net run rate (+0.199) may be a concern in case of a tie.
MI and GT, both with 12 points, are neck-and-neck. GT, however, has an advantage with a game in hand and a superior net run rate (+0.748). Winning at least two of their remaining five matches should see them through.
Challengers Still in the Mix:
- Delhi Capitals (DC) – 12 points, NRR +0.362
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – 10 points
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – 9 points
DC is firmly in the hunt but will need to improve consistency after a mixed last five games. LSG and KKR will need to win at least 3 of their last 4 matches and hope other results go their way.
Teams Almost Out:
- Rajasthan Royals (RR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – 6 points
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – 4 points
CSK, the five-time champions, are officially out of the playoff race after securing only 2 wins in 10 games – their worst performance in years. RR and SRH also appear to be on the brink of elimination.
Prediction for Top 4 Playoff Spots:
- RCB – Likely top finishers with strong form
- GT – One game in hand gives a crucial edge
- MI – Solid NRR and experienced campaigners
- DC – Slight edge over PBKS due to momentum and NRR
As the league heads into its final four rounds, every run, wicket, and over will matter. The playoff picture is far from settled and promises high drama in the coming weeks.
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