Dubai : Dasun Shanaka led young Sri Lankan team almost knock out India out of Asia Cup 2022.They defeated the defending champions by 6 wickets in the super 4 clash at Dubai International Stadium.
Chasing 174, Sri Lankan openers Kushal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka raged fire, as the duo put up an aggressive 97 runs stand in just 11 overs, but Indian leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal turned the game by trapping both the openers and Charith Asalanka in his spin thread. The veteran spinner Ravi Ashwin also picked the wicket of Danushka Gunathilaka, thus, the spin duo brought India back to game. At this point of time Sri Lanka were 110-4 , but skipper Dasun Shanaka & Bhanuka Rajapaksa turned the game with their steady partnership of 64 runs, targeting Indian bowlers Hardik Pandya & Bhuvaneshwar Kumar at the death. A deja vu moment from India Pakistan clash last night flashed in front of the fans as Arshdeep Singh came to defend 7 runs off the final over, but the brilliant final over from the youngster was ruined by wicket keeper Risabh Pant and Arshdeep himself when 2 was needed off 2 balls and both missed a run out off a bye, thus, costing an overthrow as a result of which match was won by Sri Lanka, who almost confirmed their place in the finals of Asia Cup 2022.
Earlier being put to Bat, India lost quick wickets of KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, but skipper Rohit Sharma with his brilliant 72(41) & Surya Kumar Yadav’s anchoring innings took India in a commanding position, but yet again their middle order collapsed as a result of which they got restricted to 173 runs.
Brief Scorecard
India :173-8(20)
Rohit Sharma : 72(41)
Surya Kumar Yadav : 34(29)
Sri Lanka
Dilshan Madhushanka : 3/24
2nd Innings
Sri Lanka : 174-4(19.5)
Kushal Mendis : 57(37)
Pathum Nissanka : 52(37)
India
Yuzvendra Chahal : 3/34
