IND vs SL: Debutant Riyan Parag takes 3 wickets, fans says 'ODI debut to remember'

All-rounder Riyan Parag, who made his One Day International (ODI) debut for India against Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday during the third clash, made sure to make an impression by claiming 3 wickets in 8 overs. He first dismissed the in-form Avishka Fernando and later took the skipper Charith Asalanka and Dunith Wellalage's wickets.

Avishka Fernando, who was on 96 off 102 balls and had struck 9 fours and 2 sixes, was on the verge of a century. However, Riyan Parag's introduction led to Fernando's dismissal, denying him the milestone by just 4 runs. The wicket also broke the partnership.

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Later, Parag returned for another over and dismissed Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka. The captain was given out lbw, but after a discussion with Kusal Mendis, the decision was reviewed. UltraEdge confirmed no edge, and HawkEye's three reds confirmed the lbw decision, sending Asalanka back for 10 off 12 balls.

Dunith Wellalage, a dangerous player from the previous two games, came to the crease but could not settle as Parag clean bowled him, sending him back for 2 off 3 balls.

Seeing him take 3 wickets on debut got fans excited, as many took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to say how this surely will be a debut he will remember.

Parag received the 256th ODI cap for India from Virat Kohli, becoming the first male cricketer from Assam to debut in ODIs for India. The 22-year-old replaced Arshdeep Singh in the playing XI for the third ODI, as Rohit Sharma and his team are looking to avoid a series defeat in the final match of the three-match series.

As of the 48 over, Sri Lanka, who opted to bat, have scored 229 runs and lost 6 wickets. Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis are currently at the crease.

Teams:

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Shreyas Iyer, Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka(c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando

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