Latest sports news

Brand Name

Sri Lanka defeated a depleted India by four wickets to keep the series alive.

Latest updates of cricket, read more

Thursday, 29th July 2021


 

Despite a valiant effort from its players, a depleted Indian team, playing with only five batsmen, could not defend a modest target of 133 as Sri Lanka kept the three-match series alive with a four-wicket victory in the second T20 International here on Wednesday.With nine players unavailable due to Krunal Pandya's positive test, India was forced to play with six specialist bowlers, including one pacer, Navdeep Saini, who was not even given an over. After India scored 132 for five, Dhananjaya de Silva (40 not out) led a difficult Lankan chase.

The hosts won with two balls remaining. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/21 in 4 overs) was economical until Chamika Karunartne launched a full-toss for a six. The 12 runs from that over reduced the equation to 8 runs off the final overs, which debutant Chetan Sakariya found difficult to defend.

If there is one bowler who will be disappointed despite his 2/30 figures, it is Kuldeep, who was brilliant but was let down by his fielders, who dropped a couple of catches. His numbers were also tainted by a lacklustre performance in the outfield.

Yadav fooled opposition captain Dasun Shanaka by shortening the length of his stock delivery — the one that turns into the right-hander drawing him out — and Sanju Samson effected a clever leg-side stumping.

 Minod Bhanuka (36 off 31 balls) also attempted to fetch a widish tossed up delivery outside the off-stump and holed out at deep mid-wicket, just after Bhuvneshwar Kumar dropped one while running backwards when he skied one against the turn in the cover region. Varun Chakravarthy (1/18 in 4 overs) was also impressive, but the total proved decisive. Earlier, India struggled to gain momentum against Sri Lankan spinners on a slow track, finishing with 132 for five.

Debutant Devdutt Padikkal, on the other hand, showed promise in his brief appearance.

The difficulty level was indicated by the fact that only seven boundaries and a six were hit in 20 overs, with the visiting team batsmen consuming as many as 42 dot balls.

Shikhar Dhawan (40 off 2 balls), aware of a batting lineup lacking in experience, took a cautious approach on a track where the ball simply refused to come onto the bat and improvisation was the order of the day. With heavy rain slowing the outfield, run-making became a chore, but young Padikkal (29 off 23 balls) was as graceful as ever before a moment's indiscretion cost him.

Ruturaj Gaikwad's (21 off 18 balls) much-anticipated debut also ended in a whimper when a Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka's short ball climbed on him and he got himself in a tangle while playing a pull-shot that went straight-up after for Minod Bhanuka.

With only five batsmen on the field, Dhawan had to limit his risky shots, despite hitting a cover drive, an on-drive, and a slog-pull behind square among his five fours before off-spinner Dananjaya de Silva (2/13) got him to play the slog-sweep. Padikkal, who slog swept Dhanajaya de Silva for a six and ran well between the wickets during his 32-run stand with skipper Dhawan and brief one with Sanju Samson, stood out the most.

He also reverse swept Wanindu Hasaranga (1/30) for a boundary before being defeated by a non-existent slog-sweep. Although some of his strokes did not reach the boundary, the Bengaluru boy demonstrated the temperament required for the highest level.

Sanju Samson, on the other hand, blew another opportunity (7 off 13 balls). He was caught off guard by a leg break from Akila Dananjaya (2/29) and bowled.

Samson has now blown nine T20 International chances and is unlikely to get many more after Thursday's final game.

 

The News Talkie Bureau

Source

NDTV


Top Stories
Download video from a Converthub online ..
Impact Feature: अमेरिकन ..
South Newsmakers of Week: Ram Charan & S..
What Makes Gandhis CWC a Team Amidst the..
Kerala Sees a Dip in Total Covid-19 Case..
Bangladesh “Just not Good Enough”, S..
Udanpirappe Movie Review: A family drama..
5 Superfood-Enriched Products for Health..
5 Superfoods Against Anxiety and Stress..
5 Small Lifestyle Changes You Can Make t..