Sri Lanka restrict India to 132

By Rex Clementine

India were forced to hand debut caps to four players for the second T-20 International at RPS yesterday after nearly half their squad were forced to isolate with Kunal Pandya testing positive for COVID. India were forced to scratch the barrel and bring into the squad even the players who had travelled to Colombo as net bowlers. Sri Lanka did well to restrict the Indians to 132 runs. The run chase had not got underway when this edition went to print.

India’s batting was really thin with tail-ender Bhuvaneshwar Kumar made to bat as high as number six. Despite the openers adding run a ball 49 runs for the first wicket, their innings never got any momentum and Sri Lanka had things under control despite conceding 12 wides.

Dushmantha Chameera was impressive again bowling at a good pace while Akila Dananjaya picked up two wickets with his off-spin.

The bowler to impress most, however, was Wanindu Hasaranga.

When Sanath Jayasuriya picked Hasaranga straight out of Richmond College, many had not heard of him. He became an instant star claiming a hat-trick on debut and today has gone onto become the number two ranked bowler in T-20 cricket.

The good thing about Hasaranga is that he has got impeccable control and his wrong’un has bamboozled a few batsmen, including some Indians. With IPL set to resume soon, don’t be surprised if Hasaranga lands with a contract.

Skipper Shikhar Dhawan top scored during the Indian innings making 40 runs off 49 deliveries with five boundaries. Dhawan knowing too well that his side lacked experience in batting wasn’t able to free his arms  and was watchful.

Sri Lanka did two changes from the side that lost the first  T-20 International bringing in Ramesh Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama. The off-spinner was making his debut.

Despite restricting India to a below par score, Sri Lanka’s batting remains vulnerable with captain Dasun Shanaka batting as high as number five. Several batsmen including Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka and Pathum Nissanka are injured.