SL vs AUS 2025: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 2nd ODI - Talking Points and Who Said What

It was Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka who won the toss and chose to bat first in the second ODI of the two-match series in Colombo on Friday, February 14. Despite the early dismissal of Pathum Nissanka, wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis kept the side in the game with a solid century scoring 101 off 115 deliveries. He was also supported by significant knocks from opener Nishan Mudushka (51 off 70 deliveries) and Asalanka (78* off 66 deliveries). This was enough to get Sri Lanka to a formidable score of 281 in the end. 

This was always going to be a tough chase for the Aussies on a track that was providing a lot of grip and turn for the spinners. No Australian batter made an impact in the game and the visitors in the end were bundled out for just 107 runs.  

It was Dunith Wellalage who was the pick of the bowlers in the end who finished with figures of 4/35 and Wanindu Hasaranga and Asitha Fernando took three wickets each as well. In the end, it was a disappointing end to the Australians' ODI series and a perfect comeback for Sri Lanka who won the game by 174 runs and achieved a 2-0 clean sweep after a disappointing Test series. 

Also Read: On This Day in 2003: Chaminda Vaas bags first-over hat-trick in World Cup

Talking points from 2nd ODI 

1. Biggest win for Sri Lanka against Australia in ODIs 

This was a game in which the Lankans dominated almost entirely and they achieved the biggest win against the six-time ODI World Cup winners in terms of runs. The Lankan bowlers were bowling with a lot of consistency where Asitha Fernando ran through the batting lineup and the spinners made sure the Aussies never got away at all. 

2. Steve Smith's captaincy comeback starts badly 

Steve Smith took the reins of captaincy in ODIs after a long time and this is not the way he would have wanted to start. There will be a lot of questions around the way he led the side and this will not give him a lot of confidence going into the Champions Trophy. 

Who Said What?

Winning skipper, Charith Asalanka and Player of the Series:

There is no mantra. I just wanted to score big hundreds and get three-four wickets from each man. Clearly the pitch had low bounce today than the last game. No seam movement. But a good pitch. Kusal Mendis and Nishan Madushka set the platform for us. Australia also bowled well but today is our day. Both days went really well. When I go to bat, I don't think about captaincy. I am a No. 5 batter for the team. It is disappointing to miss out of Champions Trophy. But don't need to look back and think much. But we should not repeat the mistakes and look forward to such form.

Losing skipper, Steve Smith

We have been outplayed in these last two games. We keep moving forward, credit to Sri Lanka, they played well in these surfaces. Thought their bowlers exceptionally well. These wickets skidded more than the Test wickets. It has been a fun time here in Sri Lanka. Some great memories made in the last few weeks.