SL vs IND 2nd ODI: The Indian team touring Sri Lanka, which was previously tagged as the second-string of players, has managed to put up a scintillating show in R Premadasa International Stadium.
The group of boys captained by Shikhar Dhawan played like men on the field; giving us fans a vivid picture of what it means to be true professionals of the game.
These men were labeled as the B team traveling to Sri Lanka, apparently falling short of the required international experience and cricketing knowledge; have successfully silenced all the critics hurling at them on Tuesday.
SL vs IND 2nd ODI: Match Summary
India lost the toss yet again, and Sri Lanka decided to bat first. The pitch conditions in R Premadasa do not specifically favour the teams that are chasing a total. The Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka took full advantage of this, just like the previous match; only this time with more resilience and determination. The Sri Lankan opening order which stumbled and could not make ground for themselves in the first ODI was a tough nut to crack this time. Avishka Fernando and wicket-keeper Minod Bhanuka kept a good hold over their partnership and India’s first breakthrough did not arrive until the 13th over. Chahal bagged two wickets in two consecutive balls which took quite a toll on the opening order’s confidence. The lengthy 77 runs partnership was broken as the Indians blatantly rampaged on all of Sri Lanka’s hard work.
Avishka Fernando, who was unmoved by all of this, went on to score a half-century. However, Fernando’s 51 runs in 71 balls do not fit the profile of something destructive; it was enough to gain hold of the game again. The left-handed Charith Asalanka who made his debut in the previous month played a powerful inning and steered his team ahead with a half-century.
Asalanka along with Karunaratne successfully drummed up the team total to 275 runs. Although the Indian bowlers were good with the ball, the well-prepared Sri Lankans stole the spotlight. Both Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Chahal picked up 3 wickets each but were unable to stop the Lions from scoring.
India’s response to this in the second inning was not as overwhelming as it was expected. Prithvi Shaw and Ishan Kishan were the first among the many to fall in the early stages of the match. After the subsequent fall of wickets in the 2nd and 4th over; it looked like captain Shikhar Dhawan had a mountain to carry on his shoulders. Dhawan, who was struggling to gain a grip over the match, misjudged Hasaranga’s clever delivery and it hit the pads. The appeal was turned down before it went up to the third umpire and was eventually given out.
Things turned in favour of India as the very reliable middle-order pair; Manish Pandey and Suryakumar Yadav, upped the team total. Yadav’s 53 runs in 44 balls helped the team recoup its confidence. Unfortunately, what could have been a powerful inning or even a century for Yadav did not last long. Sandakan, who was having an average bowling spell; had suddenly dismissed Yadav and it did not seem anything less than a jackpot for the Lankans.
The man in red hot form who could have won it for India was walking back to the pavilion and a win seemed imminent for the Lankans. A win in the second ODI would keep them in the competition and bring them in level with India.
All of these seemed like possibilities to both Rahul Dravid and Dasun Shanaka, until Deepak Chahar pulled off the impossible. The right-handed fast bowler who had never thought of scoring the winning runs for his team and saving them from an impasse; emerged successful in his attempt.
To everyone’s disbelief, Chahar very patiently scored 69 runs in 82 deliveries, going for big runs whenever needed. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar with Chahar formed the 8th partnership of the inning, possibly the last; to score a staggering 84 runs in 84 balls, the highest partnership of the match made by two bowling professionals.
SL vs IND 2nd ODI Match Result
Although it was a team effort, in the end it was Deepak Chahar who single-handedly crushed Sri Lanka’s hopes to stay alive in the series. The underestimated Suryakumar Yadav once again proved to be the dark horse of the team. He might be the answer to India’s long lower middle order search.
Conclusion
India has safely bagged the ODI series in Sri Lanka with a game in hand, and this win has been the result of the enormous blood and sweat of the players.
