We still can’t get over that spell by Akila Dananjaya. Rohit Sharma, Kedar Jadhav, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel were all dismissed by Akila Dananjaya. And, 5 out of these 6 batsmen, with all due respect to Axar Patel, are very good at countering spin.
Playing conditions in India have always been supportive of spin bowling and this is the reason why Indian batsmen are regarded as best batters against spin. Some of the best spinners in the history of the game have struggled against India’s batting line-ups of past and present, in India.
But, even the well-equiped Indian batters had any answer to Akila Dananjaya’s mystery spin. Both the Indian openers were going strong but Dananjaya came like a storm and took 6 big wickets in one spell. It started with Rohit Sharma and ended with Axar Patel’s wicket.
Akila Dananjaya took 6 in 4 overs and broke the back of the chase.
1.) Rohit Sharma (109-1, 15.3 Over)
2.) Kedar Jadhav (114-3, 17.1 Over)
3.) Virat Kohli (118-4, 17.3 Over)
4.) KL Rahul (119-5, 17.5 Over)
5.) Hardik Pandya (121-6, 19.3 Over)
6.) Axar Patel (131-7, 21.5 Over)
We have seen many great spells of bowling in ODI cricket. And, the one by Akila Dananjaya in the second match of the 5-match series against India is up there with the best. However, unfortunately for him and Sri Lanka, MS Dhoni and Bhuvneshwar Kumar steadied India’s ship and formed a match-winning partnership that Indian cricket fans will remember for a long time.
THE BIGGEST DECISION OF HIS LIFE!
As many of you would know, Akila Dananjaya had tied the knot less than 24 hours before the game at his hometown in Moartuwa to his girlfriend Nethalie Tekshini.
But instead of going on the honeymoon, he was back in the team hotel in Kandy that night ahead of the second ODI. He decided to delay his honeymoon and be with the squad for the second match. It was a very big decision for Dananjaya as he had not played the first game and his place in the playing XI wasn’t confirmed. But, he took the hard decision and got rewarded. His bride Nathalie Tekshini was also present at the ground to witness her husband’s incredible performance, just a day after their wedding.
Dream spell from young Akila Dhananjaya, joined the team last evening directly after his wedding #SLVIND #Cricket pic.twitter.com/537XCaHcvl
— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen) August 24, 2017
