[ad_1]
Fernando anchored the chase superbly with a 76-run knock.
Sri Lanka have pulled one back on India in the three-match ODI series. They chased down 227 runs rather comfortably and despite losing a few wickets at the fag end, Avishka Fernando’s calm knock made sure that they were always ahead in the chase. Indian bowlers fought hard till the end but wickets came a little too late for them as they were handed their first defeat of the tour.
Earlier, a new-look India opted to bat first after handing debuts to as many as five players. Their opening pair of Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan remained same though. The visitors didn’t get off to an expected start with their skipper edging one behind to the keeper on 13. Sanju Samson walked out to bat with full confidence then in his first innings in the format.
He and Shaw batted brilliantly to keep up the tempo and stitched 74 runs together for the second wicket. The latter had finally battled his demons against the spinners and raced his way to 49. But in a bid to tuck the ball to the leg-side to get to his fifty, he was caught plumb in front off Dasun Shanaka. Samson, at the other end, also looked fluent, much like he has looked all his career.
But even he couldn’t cross the 50-run mark. Praveen Jayawickrama dismissed Samson for 46 and at 118/3, things were again in the balance. Suryakumar Yadav once again took his batting up a notch with yet another good show. Manish Pandey was expected to anchor the innings but Praveen bluffed him with a good delivery. Pandey’s ODI series ended with only 74 runs in three innings putting grave question marks over his career.
At the other end, Surya scored 40 but once again, he couldn’t kick on and get a big score. There was a rain break in the middle and it worked for Sri Lanka. The visitors collapsed against the spinner Akila Dananjaya and other bowlers as they were reduced to 195/8 from 157/3 in a space of eight overs.
It was only due to Rahul Chahar and Navdeep Saini then that India managed to reach 225 as they batted sensibly rotating the strike for around 10 overs. India were eventually bowled out and thanks to the collapse, they couldn’t bat out the whole quota of the reduced 47 overs. The target for the hosts was adjusted to 227 according to DLS method.
Avishka guides Sri Lanka in the chase
The 227-run target was not much but with Sri Lanka not winning many matches of late, they were certainly under pressure. Bu the nerves eased down soon with Avishka Fernando batting fluently. India introduced spin in the fifth over itself with no swing for the new ball bowlers and the move paid dividends soon. Krishnappa Gowtham struck in his very first over to send back Minod Bhanuka.
But that didn’t deter Avishka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa finally delivered to the promise shown in the domestic circuit. Both of them took toll of some poor bowling from the inexperienced Indian line-up. The likes of Navdeep Saini, Gowtham and Rahul Chahar among others were milked for some easy runs.
The duo stitched 109 runs for the third wicket stand and it all looked hunky dory for them at one stage. Both Avishka and Bhanuka got to their respective half-centuries. The latter, however, got out for 65 off 56 balls to hand Chetan Sakariya his maiden international wicket. The debutant then sniffed out Dhananjaya de Silva with a superb variation delivery to make thins interesting.
However, Fernando kept going strong and rode his luck on the way too with Pandey dropping him when on 68. But India kept fighting and that brought two more quick wickets with Hardik Pandya dismissing Charith Asalanka and Rahul Chahar getting better of Shanaka.
Sri Lanka looked nervous with more than 30 runs yet to win. However, the team didn’t slip up this time from the winning position. Fernando played a steely knock of 76 runs but he got out with the team needing only 13 runs and the lower-order did the job for them to win by four wickets.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
When Dhawan is awarded the trophy, hope the broadcasters split one part of the screen to show Ganguly.
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) July 23, 2021
It has been a privilege to watch Rahul Chahar rip those leg breaks.
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) July 23, 2021
Had it not been for a missed stumping and dropped catch, Rahul Chahar would have already had five in the innings! #SLvIND
— Arani Basu (@AraniBasuTOI) July 23, 2021
Them Chahar brothers sure love a spicy finish …. Very well bowled @rdchahar1 #IndvSL
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) July 23, 2021
Indias bench strength sorely exposed tonight… #SLvInd
— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) July 23, 2021
Sri Lanka beat India by 3 wickets in the third ODI but India still won the series 2-1. Avishka Fernando lead the run chase with a 76 and Rajapaksha with 65. Now, moving into the T20 series. #SLvIND
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 23, 2021
Deep down Lanka must be disappointed they couldn’t muff this one up.
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) July 23, 2021
If collapse is an art, Sri Lanka is the Picasso of it. https://t.co/sHQCi1mFvN
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) July 23, 2021
Despite five debutantes, Team India nearly pulled out the third odi. Result doesn’t matter but the fighting spirit shown by boys does. So many positive from #INDvsSL
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) July 23, 2021
You can have an off day in batting. Or bowling. But not while fielding. Especially with the young legs – too many catches have gone down today. No excuses #INDvSL
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) July 23, 2021
lndia play more than 11 players in all their International cricket matches, always. If you know, you know. 👎💰 #NotCricket
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) July 23, 2021
Manish Pandey just dropped a not so difficult catch. That is the official mode of communication from the universe that today is not India’s day.
— Naman Agarwal (@CoverDrivenFor4) July 23, 2021
Especially happy for Sakariya.
Cannot believe what he has gone through, and how he has risen despite everything.
— Abhishek Mukherjee (@SachinAzharCT) (@ovshake42) July 23, 2021
Is Hardik Pandya a worry? Or, not yet? #INDvSL
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) July 23, 2021
Chetan ➡️ Variation 💗pic.twitter.com/6kVLvejKTZ
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) July 23, 2021
The difference between these IND spinners and the top level IND spinners is glaring…
— cricketingview (@cricketingview) July 23, 2021
Series average of Hardik Pandya in bilateral series
22 vs nz
115 vs eng –
12 vs wi
9 vs sl
55 vs aus-
18 vs nz
9 vs sl
8 sa
21 vs eng
30 vs nz
105 vs aus –
33 vs eng
9 vs slCant see some solid performaces except 2-3 to be comapared with likes of stokes jadeja
— Akshatॐ (@ReignOfVirat) July 23, 2021
Remember Ben stokes beaten 2 guys outside the bar !! maybe both of them compared him Hardik Pandya that’s why
— 🧘🏻♂️ | 🌈 (@night_wiing) July 23, 2021
Hardik Pandya under captaincy of
Rohit Others pic.twitter.com/RjS0nGBrfC
— Krunal દવે 🇮🇳 (@KrunalD98161941) July 23, 2021
I fear for Hardik Pandya and Manish Pandey’s future in the Indian cricket team! #SLvIND Chances not taken, cause of concern.
— Sahil (@Im_SVee) July 23, 2021
Hardik Pandya needs to be dropped
He brings nothing to the team now !! #INDvSL— Keshav khetan (@Keshavkhetan4) July 23, 2021
I don’t think Hardik Pandya should be in Indian Team When it comes about ODI’s.
— Akshay Singh Rathore (@Akshayrathore02) July 23, 2021
Drop hardik pandya.. He seems to be little lethargic. Bowling was directionless and batting with less intent. Drop him then only he won’t take everything for granted!!! @SDhawan25 #SLvsIND #TeamIndia
— Kohli_fan (@Kohlifa41184461) July 23, 2021
Never seen Hardik pandya bowl with control in his career so far….ordinary bowler💩💩
— Dennis Sitlhou (@Dennis_Sitlhou) July 23, 2021
Why there’s lack in intent in fielding, some players are clearly looking unfit… Likes of Hardik Pandya, Navdeep Saini giving up the chase so early….. #SLvIND
— Harsh Tegta ਹਰਸ਼ ਤੇਗਟਾ (@iamharshtegta) July 23, 2021
I actually don’t understand what is the need of Indian team to carry a baggage of injured Hardik Pandya…
100 % useless… He must sent back to go and prove himself fit in home series..— Kamal Sharma (@KamalSh29206792) July 23, 2021
Best and worst part about Hardik Pandya’s bowling is that he doesn’t know his limits.
— ∆nkit🏏🇮🇳 (@Armchair_Critic) July 23, 2021
Hardik Pandya has looked terrible all series. Can we select someone on merit not hope? #INDvsSL2021 #IndianCricketTeam #Cricket #BCCI
— Ranjit Pelia (@turbanshop) July 23, 2021
[ad_2]
Source link