Sri Lanka win 2-1 T20 series

 Lankan Spinners floor India 

So ultimately Lankan Spinners were too hot to handle for inexperienced young Indian batsmen. Brought up on mostly spin friendly Indian pitches , India still found wanting. Quite clueless especially against Hasaranga who was so accurate on this slow and low Sri Lankan Tracks. Forget about quick scoring , these boys even failed to survive against him. It is altogether different thing to hit through the line ,score freely on mostly placid tracks during IPL ,where bounce is good enabling free stroke play. It was missed opportunity to showcase their skills and talent especially for upcoming batsmen Ruturaj Gaikawad, Devdatta Padikkal, Sanju Samson and Nitish Rana. It's going to be very challenging for them in near future to break into Indian squad again.

Shikhar  Dhawan opted to bat first probably to avoid any pressure while chasing the target. Indian inning started on a disastrous note when Dhawan edged 4th ball of the inning - his very 1st - into slip. Padikkal failed while sweeping again. During 5th over Hasaranga presently ranked 2nd T20 bowler, struck two blows trapping Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikawad. In no time India 25/4.By 9th over all five batsmen were back into the dugout, with Nitish Rana failing to Shanaka.36/5.The decider almost over there only for young Team India. With Bhuvneshwar`s 16 and Kuldeep Yadav's 23 not out  India anyhow made 81.

Sri Lanka started with very cautious approach facing some tight bowling at start by Bhuvneshwar Kumar ,Varun Chakravarthy. Rahul Chahar was at his best struck thrice to make Sri Lanka bit anxious in the chase , which got prolonged to 14.3 overs. Kuldeep Yadav wasn't that penetrative as the other night. Rahul Chahar has certainly made his case for upcoming T20 World Cup selection.

Wanindu Hasaranga celebrated his birthday with 4 wickets for just 9 runs and bagged Man of the match and Series as well.

Barring a small banter here and there Series was played in a nice sporting spirit. 

It was such a pleasure to see Shikhar Dhawan sharing his experience with the young Sri Lanka team post presentation. No wonder cricket is still known as gentleman's game with such a sporting spirit rather - spirit of cricket -  on display.

- Vivek Ketkar

#SLvIND - 2nd T20 - Review

 

Lanka overcome Covid struck India

Chasing 133 India made Sri Lanka struggle as 105/6 - With 28 needed off 16 but Dhananjaya de`silva 40 not out and Karunaratne with timely six, held their nerves and saw that Sri Lanka cross the finish line with 2 balls remaining. So it`s 1-1,with decider on Thursday 29^th July 2021.

Earlier India`s got a big Covid - blow when it was found that Krunal Pandya tested positive. This resulted in isolating his contacts - in all total 9 players had to go in isolation. So all balance eleven were automatically became playing eleven - with only 5 specialist batsmen Bhuvi at no.6. Ruturaj Gaikawad, Devdatta Padikkal, Nitish Rana and Chetan Sakaria were handed over T20 India caps. Bearing this in mind India started cautiously succeeded to somewhat with 8 wickets in hand as 94/2 - 15 overs. In spite of this, India managed 38/3 in last 5 overs. On slow and sluggish pitch, where stroke making was very difficult, hosts exploited the conditions perfectly. Never allowed to get away with free flowing stroke play. Gaikawad 21,Shikhar 40, Padikkal 29 and Bhuvi 13.

India struck early through Bhuvneshwar, courtesy excellent lobbing catch by Rahul Chahar on the boundary. 12/1.Varun Chakravarthy, Rahul Chahar bowled well with some tight leash on Lankan batting. But it was experienced Kuldeep Yadav who was pick of the Indian bowlers in middle overs - troubled hosts most. Kuldeep struck 2 vital blows. Was bit unlucky with fielders` let offs and captain support for DRS, missed at least 3 more wickets to his tally. Lankans kept stuttering - 39/2 - 55/3 - 66/4 - 94/5 - 105/6.The match was poised as SL needed 20 off last 2 overs. 12 runs scored in 19^th over of Bhuvi. The pair  mentioned at start saw that Sri Lanka does not waste the winning opportunity.

So it’s over to the series decider on the evening of 29^th July. Lets see how inexperienced India performs on the last day of this tiny tour.

- Vivek Ketkar

1st T20 - Its India by 38 runs

 Bhuvi and Surya Shine as India takes 1- 0 lead

Riding on Suryakumar's 50 and Bhuvneshwar`s 4 wickets India toppled Sri Lanka with 38 runs.

Pictorial summary as seen on TV: 

- Vivek Ketkar

 

Sri Lanka win at last

 Lankan Spinners break Indian batting backbone

So Sri Lanka managed a win against India in 11th attempt on their home soil. Thanks to Left arm spinner Jayawickrama and Akila Dananjaya who completely bamboozled skillful Indian Batsmen. 

Sent India packing from 156/3 to 225 all down in 43.1 overs. India for a change won the toss, typical unique Shikhar Dhawan celebration followed, happily chose to bat.  But the joy didn't last longer as the captain chased outgoing delivery and returned to pavilion in 3rd over on 13 - 28/1.Dashers Prithvi Shaw as effortless as ever joined by debutant Sanju Samson and flurry of boundaries continued up to 16th over. Prithvi again missed half century by 1 run.102/2. Samson too got out on 46.

Manish Pandey and Suryakumar Yadav continued. But at 147/3- 23 overs rain stopped play for a while. And then it was a different ball game altogether. It was spin web of Jayawickrama and Akila Dananjaya show. Pandey 11,Pandya 19,Surya 40.Debutants Nitish Rana 7 , Gowtham 2 were sent back one after another - 195/8 - 32.5 overs of 47 max. Rahul Chahar 13 with Navdeep Saini 15 took it to 225 - 43.1 overs. 

Lankans started aggressively, K Gowtham was lucky to get break at 35/1-5.3 over. But after that Rajapaksa and Avishka defied all plans by Shikhar. Who tried to unsettle the pair with continuous bowling changes. Few missed half chances in the field  didn't help either. Duo effortlessly kept scoring freely against inexperienced Indian bowlers. Chetan Sakariya got some success only after 109 partnership -144/2. With one more immediate strike took his wickets tally to 2. Rahul Chahar one thought was brought bit too late for his second spell. Displayed some classic leg spin bowling. Troubled every batsman at the crease. Removed opener Avisha on 76. Got 3 wickets in the process. Showed lot of promise. But it was too little too late for India. Sri Lanka chased down 226 with still 8 overs to go and 7 wickets down.

Thus making it 1-2. Much needed win for Sri Lanka as these points are being considered for 2023 World Cup Qualification. Hosts were too down on the chart even as below as Ireland, Afghanistan and even Netherlands. Such a sorry state of present Sri Lankan cricket. Winner of few ICC World Cups.

Main Team India being on the England Test Matches tour, limited overs bench strength got fully tested. Fringe players do got a chance to showcase their skills and talent. With series already in pocket Dravid and company gave India cap to 5 debutants in this match. To compensate a bit for 2 weeks of quarantine. (Here bit unlike Rahul Dravid actually, who always believed to break the selectors door rather than just knock on it, in his playing days, anyway ..). India made 6 changes in the winning team.

Youthful exuberant Prithvi Shaw stamped his class in couple of 40 odd scores, in the series. Ishan Kishan shined in first match. Sanju Sampson played well aggressively for his 46. All these players are eyeing for the spot in T20 World Cup squad to be played later in October. These performances are going to do no harm to their chances. Manish Pandey missed a bit to score a big. But it was Suryakumar Yadav who impressed everybody with his effortless batting display in 3 matches. Though bit susceptible against incoming spinning delivery, if he can overcome such weaknesses in his technique, he is definitely a force to reckon with in Indian middle order. SKY is definitely the find of this tour. Played as if he is playing for years in the blue for Team India. No wonder he bagged the man of the series award with 124 runs in three innings ,in his debut ODI series. As for Prithwi Shaw and Sanju Samson even Ishan Kishan would also learn to mix caution with their fearless aggression and try to build a longer innings in one dayers. Chetan Sakariya also showed some promise in his later spell. Rahul Chahar was excellent and is definitely in competition with Chahal and Kuldeep.

So now it's over to 3 matches T20 series, starting Sunday 25th July 0800 pm onwards for some zatpat tadka instant cricket.

- Vivek Ketkar

(Pic credits : ESPNcricinfo FB page )

Incredible turnaround by Deepak Chahar

 Team India finds unlikely match winner in Deepak Chahar

What an incredible turnaround almost from lost cause. By Deepak Chahar batting at no.8.Chasing 276 India stuttered at 160/6, 193/7. Sri Lankan victory was looking inevitable. But Deepak Chahar and Bhuvneshwar had different ideas. Different mind set. What a self belief these days Indian team is having. Both formed winning partnership of 84 off 87 deliveries. India seals the series victory 2-0 with 1 to go. Visitors found a new hero in Deepak Chahar 69 not out off 82 balls with 7 fours and 1 six. Chahar started to turn around this match, with six over mid off, precisely in 43rd over at 220/7 with Chahar on 29 and India needed 56 off 47 balls. It was such a mature knock, only in his 5th ODI. With a calculated calm head, playing each ball on its merit, respecting the bowler whenever necessary, overcoming leg cramps when target was still 18 runs away. Vice Captain Bhuvneshwar remained not out with 19 off 28 balls with 2 fours. After effortless batting - by Suryakumar 53 and Krunal 35 - departure, India had their backs to the wall. But Deepak Chahar showed tremendous self-belief to turn things around completely. 

Prithvi Shaw and Dhawan started Indian chase with flurry of boundaries.26 off just 2 overs. But introduction of spinner in very 3rd over did the trick for Sri Lanka. Shaw bowled by Hasaranga 13 - 28/1. Lankan pacers didn't allowed Ishan Kishan to settle at all. Sent him back on 1 - 39/2.Hasaranga trapped Dhawan in front on 29 - 65/3 -12th over. Lanka dominating. But thereafter Manish Pandey and Suryakumar Yadav steadied the ship with a partnership of 50 off just 31 balls , batting without any difficulty. But at 115 Pandey got out in a most unfortunate way. Backing a bit too much at nonstrikers' end - On Suryakumar's straight drive just kissing bowler's fingertips - deflected on stumps - Run out - 37, 115/4. Hardik came and went 0 - 116/5. Surya continued with Krunal who was tested with barrage of short pitched deliveries by Lankan pacers. But after 44 runs partnership Suryakumar got out on 53 - 160/6.Krunal was deceived by Hasaranga on 35 -193/7.Sri Lanka needed 3 more wickets , was on high. Despondent looking Indian balcony was slowly transformed from hopeful into happy and then ecstatic by Chahar and Bhuvi. 

Earlier it was Yuzavendra Chahal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar with 3 wickets each supported by Deepak Chahar with 2 wickets , stopped improved Sri Lankans on 275/9.

India thus 2-0 with one more match left on Friday. Let's see if anyone from the bench gets the opportunity to earn India cap.

- Vivek Ketkar

#SLvIND

           Deepak Chahar Celebration 

Deepak Chahar and Bhuvaneshvar Kumar

           Suryakumar Yadav 53 off 44 balls.

Fearless batting by Prithvi Shaw n Ishan Kishan make it damn easy

Kuldeep Yadav - Yazuvendra Chahal winning combo back

Riding on fearless,classic,attacking batting by opener Prithvi Shaw and then debutant Ishan Kishan, India chase down 263 in 37th over only with quite ease. Prithvi started flurry of classic boundaries on second ball itself .Playing with such a class and ease to both sides of the wicket , leaving inexperienced Sri Lankan pacers clueless. Registering team 50 in just 5 overs - Shaw 43. His 9 boundaries in all were not necessarily on loose deliveries. It was sheer class and timing by 21 year old. Everyone wanted such a treat to go on and on. But at the end of 5th over youngster got bit disturbed by blow on the helmet by Chameera bouncer. Holed to long on immediately on the first ball he faced thereafter from Sri Lankan spinner. 58/1-5.3 overs-Prithvi 43 off 24 balls with 9 fours. Lankans did well here to change the momentum, so one thought. But in comes debutant Ishan Kishan and lifts the very first ball dancing down the wicket over long on boundary for a scintillating six, followed by a square cut four. What a way to start a ODI career! Later he said he had walked in with declared plan to teammates of hitting six on the very first ball. Such a confident these young Indian guns  are. Ishan Kishan continued in same manner riding his luck a bit , asking even a captain to give him strike and registered first fifty of the match. Ishan got out on 59 off 42 balls - 2 sixes and 8 fours. 143/2 - 17.5 overs. What a start to chase with staggering average of almost 8 runs per over.

Shikhar Dhawan in his debut match as captain happily slipped in the role of holding one end. And then completed the formality with Manish Pandey-26 and Suryakumar Yadav 31 not out - another debutant who showed some innovative stroke play against Lankan spinners. India won with 7 wickets in hand and lead series 1-0 with 2 more to go.

Earlier Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first .Started with 49 in 9 overs but Yuzavendra Chahal struck on very first ball. Partnership for second wicket was going on well with 85/1 in 16 overs. But Kuldeep Yadav removed both set batsman in the same over. Inexperienced Lankan batsman failed to apply themselves for big score. Rather Indian bowlers never allowed them to dominante. Left armer Krunal Pandya was very economical. Just 26 off his 10 overs with 1 wicket. Barring a bit resistance by Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka 39 and the last couple of overs hitting by Karunaratne 43 not out, adding 55 in last 5 overs gave them something to bowl at against this exciting stroke players filled Indian batting line up. Both Kuldeep and Chahal got 2 wickets each. Pacer Deepak Chahar also chipped in with 2.Hardik bowled 5 overs got 1.It was good to see him fit to bowl. Bhuvneshwar was bit expensive especially in his last over. India need to take wicket or two in the 1st 10 overs. Conditions and pitch was not at all conducive for swing bowling, India may go for Navdeep Saini as a faster seam bowling option. Prithvi Shaw bagged the man of the match award for his scintillating start which set the ball rolling for Indian run chase.

But all in all India did what was expected from them. Let's see how Lanka reply on  Tuesday 20th July afternoon.

- Vivek Ketkar

#SLvIND

Shikhar's New Blues Vs Sri Lanka

 Sri Lankan Limited Cricket Mini Tour 

So after a last Super Sports  Sunday of Copa America, Wimbledon n Euro Cup ...ODI Sunday is here. With Tokyo Olympics due to start later next week.

Team India is already touring England for 5-Tests Series to commence from 4th August - Start of WTC 2 .So it's great to see that India's enriched bench strength ( thanks to India A tours,U-19 ,IPL exposure and the NCA guru - Rahul Dravid ) especially for limited overs white ball cricket is being tested.

Shikhar Dhawan is the leader, with Rahul Dravid as team coach. Bhuvneshwar Kumar - whom team India desperately missed for his excellent swing bowling abilities during WTC final last month - is designated as Vice Captain. It's a excellent chance for Hardik Pandya to test his bowling fitness. And great opportunity for team discards like Prithvi Shaw to knock the selection committee door. Fringe players..bit irregulars like Manish Pandey and Krunal Pandya along with some exciting stroke players - Opener Ruturaj Gaikawad, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson have also got a great stage to show their abilities in 3 ODIs n 3 T20s for next 10 odd days. It would be interesting to see if Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzavendra Chahal get to play together after a long time. The successful combination especially during mid overs 11 to 40 got broken after a great two year run in World Cup match verses England in 2019. Bowlers like Navdeep Saini, Deepak Chahar , New comers like Chetan Sakaria n Spinning youngsters - K Gowtham,Varun Chakravarthy are hoping to make their mark on tour. Let's see who can get the opportunity. As Dravid already made clear that few ones may not get a chance at all from this squad of 20.

Sri Lanka on the other hand is far from settled since last few years., especially after retirement  of the legendary Mahela Jaywardhane, Kumar Sangakara, Lasit Malinga yet to find a feet,  are on constantly loosing spree in ODI series. Having said that Sri Lanka is always dangerous in home conditions.

Let's hope that Covid doesn't interfere again and we are able to see some entertaining cricket in Colombo for next few days.

- Vivek Ketkar

#SLvIND