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
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