Team India’s domination in T20, like in ODIs, was absolute and commanding. That Dhoni’s men won the lone T20 played at the 40,000 crowd-packed Premadasa Stadium last evening was a big thriller. India almost snatched the match away from Sri Lanka’s grip when Pathan brothers unleashed rain of fours and sixes towards the end, proving that India is the real champion. And those came to watch got worth of their money since it was a perfect entertainment, with ups and down tilting in favour of India.
T20 has everything for the spectators. Unlike the yonder days when people used to get tired in waiting for a four, while six was a luxury, this format of the game enlightens the audience to the full. Earlier, we have had matches lurking in uncertainty and results were hard to come by, now we have result-oriented game. Imagine 345 runs in just over three hours and in 40 overs with 32 fours and 11 sixes hit to the fence is possible only in T20. To the sadness of Sri Lankan fans, Pathan brothers changed the course of the match with some murderous shots from both ends.
Sri Lanka started their innings belligerently with Sanath Jayasuriya lit up the evening with two brilliant sixes in his 33 runs of 17 balls followed by skipper Dilshan, who was dropped by Irfan, went on to score 61 valuable runs. However, rest of the Sri Lankan batsmen contributed modestly and Sri Lanka went on the pile up 171. The target of 172 looked very much attainable till Mahendra Singh Dhoni was sent back, bowled by Malinga Bandara. Among the Indian bowlers Irfan, Yusu and Ishant were in good nick and set the pace for not allowing the opposition to go past 200 runs. Yusuf was impressive with his tight line and length, picking up two vital wickets of Mubarak and Kapugedera.
Indian start was shaky as Sehwag and Gambhir got out. A brilliant piece of fielding resulting in the run out of Virender Sehwag off a direct hit and Gautam Gambhir top-edging a pull had pushed India on the back foot early. But then came Raiona and Yuvraj, and in between them were 66 runs partnership little over 7 overs. With Raina departing at 99 and Dhoni at 108 in 13th over, followed by gutsy Rohit Sharma at 110 in the 14th over while trying for a six and new comer Jadeja at 115, India was on the defensive for a while. Now India needed 57 runs in 4.9 overs when Pathan brothers joined together to take Indian through.
Yusuf is a powerful hitter. The first four he hit over extra cover was the beginning of India’s attack, which was followed by a straight six and then another one at midwicket. 17 runs in one over brought India back in the game. While the bigger Pathan has firm grip on the bat and when he hits, he is ruthless, the younger one, who started cautiously, as per his style, went on to hit some mighty hits to the fence towards the end overs.
Sri Lanka were playing without Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis only to watch Pathan brothers stealing the match Sri Lanka were poised to win.
|
|
Comments:
