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 29th 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 19th
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 29th
July. Lets see how inexperienced India performs on the last day of this tiny tour.
- Vivek Ketkar
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