There’s a peculiar, almost poetic magic about the Khettarama pitch. While the rest of the white-ball cricketing world flattens its decks for six-hitting spectacles, the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo clings stubbornly to its old, treacherous soul. It turns, it grips, it deceives. And just when you think it’s being kind—it bites back, hard.
In the latest ODI between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, that pitch—nicknamed Khettarama—once again lived up to its mischievous legacy. What started as a seemingly balanced contest, with both sides poised for a modern, high-scoring battle, ended in one of the most dramatic batting collapses in ODI history. Bangladesh, at one stage cruising at 99 for 1, stumbled into cricketing oblivion—losing seven wickets for just five runs, and crashing to 128 all out in pursuit of a modest target of 245.
It was a match that twisted expectations, shattered records, and reminded the cricketing world that spin is still king in Sri Lanka’s backyard.
Asalanka’s Early Assurances and the Surface That Lulled
Before the first ball was bowled, Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka offered a rare assurance: “This pitch will be more batting-friendly than usual.” It wasn’t blind optimism. Word from the dressing room was that directions had been passed to the curator to prepare a less volatile deck. And Asalanka’s XI reflected that belief. He opted to give seamer Milan Rathnayake a debut over the more traditional spin option, Dunith Wellalage, a crowd favorite at this venue.
And for the first 66.2 overs of the match, that prediction held true. The surface allowed for clean stroke play. Batsmen found it easier to drive through the line. Pace had some carry, spin some grip, but neither overwhelmed the contest. Asalanka himself played a resilient knock, anchoring the Sri Lankan innings with a sublime 106 off 123 deliveries, showcasing maturity, temperament, and increasing consistency in his evolving role as a middle-order mainstay.
But Sri Lanka never quite ran away with the game. Despite Asalanka’s heroics, the hosts were bundled out for 244, losing early wickets and never establishing a dominating partnership. The total felt 30 runs short of par, especially as Bangladesh openers Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto looked commanding during their opening stand.
At 99 for 1, with 146 runs required and plenty of overs left, Bangladesh seemed well on course. But Khettarama, and Sri Lanka’s spin demons, were not done yet.
Also Read :- Hardik Pandya success story
The Collapse No One Saw Coming
In what could only be described as a collective implosion, Bangladesh went from 99 for 1 to 105 for 7 in the blink of an eye. Seven wickets fell for just five runs, marking the worst collapse for wickets 2 to 8 in ODI history. The scoreboard barely moved, except for the rising count of fallen batters and shocked faces in the dressing room.
It was a moment of madness. The kind of collapse that leaves statisticians scrambling, fans gasping, and players in disbelief. The once-steady chase turned into a procession.
What caused it? A return of the old Khettarama spice? Panic in the Bangladesh camp? A flashback to the fragile lineups of the 1990s? Possibly all three.
But two names rose above all in this chaos: Kamindu Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga.
Kamindu Mendis: The Ambidextrous Assassin
Kamindu Mendis is better known for his batting. But on this surreal day, it was his bowling—both left-arm and right-arm—that tore through Bangladesh’s hopes.
He first struck with his left-arm orthodox spin, dismissing set batters and injecting panic. Then, in a truly jaw-dropping moment, he switched arms mid-game, bowling right-arm offspin to dismiss Taskin Ahmed, a left-hander, LBW. This was not a novelty stunt—it was match-turning brilliance.
His final figures: 3 wickets for 19 runs. But more than the numbers, it was the sheer audacity and skill that left fans and teammates in awe.
Even Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka’s proven spin maestro who bagged 4 for 10, praised Kamindu’s rare gift:
“Bowlers who can bowl with both arms are incredibly valuable. Against a left-right batting pair, he can spin it away from both ends. His spell made my job easier.”
In Sri Lanka, the home of carrom balls and mystery spinners, Kamindu’s dual-arm bowling could mark the beginning of another cricketing evolution. Just days earlier, red-ball bowler Tharindu Rathnayake had done the same in a Test. Ambidextrous bowling in Sri Lanka isn’t just emerging—it’s becoming normalized.
Hasaranga’s Hunt and the Spin Rebirth
While Kamindu stole the spotlight with his rare skill, Hasaranga remained his devastating self. Turning the ball square, varying his flight, and baiting Bangladesh’s batters into fatal errors, he claimed four wickets in a spell that suffocated any hopes of recovery.
With Hasaranga’s control, Kamindu’s variety, and Maheesh Theekshana’s subtle support, Sri Lanka created a stranglehold from which there was no escape. Bangladesh were not merely outplayed—they were bewitched.
A Reminder of the Past – and a Glimpse into the Future
This wasn’t just a cricket match. It was a narrative—of tradition vs. modernity, of composure vs. collapse, of Sri Lanka’s proud spin legacy asserting itself once again.
Yes, Sri Lanka had tried to evolve. Yes, they’d wanted batting-friendly pitches. But sometimes, fate—or Khettarama—has other plans. And when Sri Lanka’s spinners are on, especially at home, it becomes a matter of survival.
Bangladesh, despite their progress in recent years, looked like a team caught in a time loop—haunted by their own past of crumbling under pressure. The promising start made the fall even more jarring.
And as the dust settled, the cricketing world was left with one clear message: Never underestimate Khettarama. Never forget Sri Lankan spin.
Final Scorecard Snapshot:
- Sri Lanka: 244 all out (Asalanka 106, Shoriful 3/51)
- Bangladesh: 128 all out (Kamindu 3/19, Hasaranga 4/10)
- Result: Sri Lanka won by 116 runs
- Record: Fastest collapse (wickets 2–8) for just 5 runs in ODI history
Read more :- Virat Kohli Biography – The King of Cricket