The Sri Lankan cricket team showed immense fighting spirit as they managed to pull back on India in the ongoing 3-match ODI series. Despite losing a few wickets at the fag end, the Sri Lankan cricketers chased down 227 runs rather comfortably. Avishka Fernando’s brilliant knock helped his team make a comeback in the game.
Though the Indian bowlers fought hard till the end but the wickets came a little too late for them as they faced their first defeat of the tour.
Earlier, as the game kickstarted, the Indian cricket team opted to bat first after handing debuts to five players. Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw walked out to open the innings for team India, however, the visitors didn’t get off to an expected start with their skipper Shikhar Dhawan getting dismissed after scoring 13 runs.
After his dismissal, Sanju Samson walked out to bat at number 3 with full confidence in his 1st innings in the format. He formed an amazing partnership with Prithvi Shaw and stitched 74 runs together for the second wicket. Prithvi Shaw had battled his demons against the spinners and raced his way to 49 runs. However, in a bid to smash the ball to the leg-side to get to his half-century, he was caught plumb in front of Dasun Shanaka.
On the other end, Sanju Samson looked fluent like always however even he couldn’t cross the 50-run mark as he was dismissed for 46 and at 118/3. Manish Pandey was expected to play a big role, however, his knock ended with only 74 runs in three innings.
Talking about Suryakumar Yadav, the cricketer scored 40 runs however he couldn’t kick on and score big runs. Soon, team India collapsed against the Sri Lankan bowlers as they couldn’t bat out the whole quota of the reduced 47 overs.
Later, the Sri Lankan cricket team easily chased down the target of 227 runs, riding on the brilliant performance of Avishka Fernando.
Meanwhile, after team India lost the third match, social media was flooded with reactions from the fans on it.
Here, check out the reactions of Twitterati on this:
Great performances by young Lankans @OfficialSLC there’s so many positives we can take out from this series and we found some good talents, Hope everything happened for the reason. Congratulations boys, finally y’all make it, great stuff, really happy about y’all, ????????? pic.twitter.com/qauOQJy8Pd
— Dhammika Prasad (@imDhammika) July 23, 2021
Congratulations Team India on the series win. Away wins always special??? Set batsmen not making it big cost us today. That’s where they can learn from @ImRo45 and @imVkohli. Dropped catches, 25+ extras hurt too. Congrats on today’s win @OfficialSLC ?? They needed this. #SLvIND
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) July 23, 2021
If collapse is an art, Sri Lanka is the Picasso of it. https://t.co/sHQCi1mFvN
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) July 23, 2021
Deep down Lanka must be disappointed they couldn’t muff this one up.
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) July 23, 2021
You can have an off day in batting. Or bowling. But not while fielding. Especially with the young legs – too many catches have gone down today. No excuses #INDvSL
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) July 23, 2021
Despite five debutantes, Team India nearly pulled out the third odi. Result doesn’t matter but the fighting spirit shown by boys does. So many positive from #INDvsSL
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) July 23, 2021
A win .. A win … A win for SL #SlvInd Well done on hanging in there and getting over the line .. Relief indeed .. but a win would bring belief and more to work with than when the series began.
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) July 23, 2021
Finally a win for Sri Lanka. Oh for some imagination in that 2nd ODI by the Sri Lankans! It could have been the series. But still plenty of positives to carry forward for them. Congratulations to @dasunshanaka1 and the lads.
— Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket) July 23, 2021
When Dhawan is awarded the trophy, hope the broadcasters split one part of the screen to show Ganguly.
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) July 23, 2021
When Dhawan is awarded the trophy, hope the broadcasters split one part of the screen to show Ganguly.
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) July 23, 2021
It has been a privilege to watch Rahul Chahar rip those leg breaks.
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) July 23, 2021
Had it not been for a missed stumping and dropped catch, Rahul Chahar would have already had five in the innings! #SLvIND
— Arani Basu (@AraniBasuTOI) July 23, 2021
Them Chahar brothers sure love a spicy finish …. Very well bowled @rdchahar1 #IndvSL
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) July 23, 2021
Indias bench strength sorely exposed tonight… #SLvInd
— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) July 23, 2021
