Sri Lanka handed India their second consecutive defeat in Asia Cup 2022 on Tuesday, 6 September. Chasing a target of 174 runs set by the men in blue, the Lankans crossed the finish line with a ball to spare, with six wickets in hand.
Sri Lanka had an excellent start with the bat, with both openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis scoring half-centuries. At that stage, a victory seemed all but imminent, but Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin turned the tables by picking up four wickets in as many overs.
However, skipper Dasun Shanaka and Bhanuka Rajapakska showed great character and determination to take their team over the line, registering Sri Lanka’s second victory in the Super Four stage.
Shanaka remained unbeaten on 33 runs from 18 deliveries, whilst Rajapaksa scored an unbeaten 25 runs from 17 deliveries.
Rohit's Knock Helped India Score 173
Earlier in the day, Rohit Sharma led by example with a scintillating 41-ball 72 before India stuttered to settle for 173/8. Rohit blazed away after India lost two early wickets, hitting five fours and four sixes during his entertaining knock. He was well supported by Suryakumar Yadav (34 off 29 balls) during a stand of 97 runs for the third wicket.
However, Rohit's dismissal triggered a slide as India added 63 runs after being 110 for three in the 13th over, when the skipper got out. Sri Lanka were off to a dream start as they removed opener KL Rahul (6) and one-down Virat Kohli (0) in quick succession, leaving defending champions India in early trouble at 13 for two in the third over.
Right after getting a boundary with a lofted drive over extra over, Rahul was trapped in front of the wicket by off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana's arm ball in the second over of the game. Having failed to connect with the ball after coming down the wicket, Rahul had opted for a review but it did not go his way as replays showed the ball going on to hit the leg stump.
In came Kohli, only for the Indian star to walk back to the dressing room after facing four deliveries for his zero, bowled neck and crop by left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Trying to slog a length ball over midwicket, Kohli missed and his off and middle stumps were disturbed.
Rohit though remained positive and kept the scoreboard moving at a healthy rate, making his intention clear when he played Chamika Karunaratne over wide mid-on for a boundary. Fast-medium bowler Asitha Fernando was introduced into the attack, and Rohit smashed him for a six and a four off successive balls as 14 runs came in the fifth over.
The Indian captain then hit Theekshana for a four over square leg, helping India score 44 runs in the six powerplay overs. Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and Karunaratne then bowled a couple of tight overs, succeeding in containing the duo of Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav.
Meanwhile, Rohit was dropped at extra cover when batting on 40, off Hasaranga's bowling. Suryakumar brought up his first boundary after playing 12 balls, which was also India's first after a quiet period.
In the next over, Rohit took advantage of his reprieve and whipped Asitha Fernando over deep square-leg for a six, and then reached his half century with a four. Suryakumar also got into the act, striking Madushanka for a maximum. It was then again Rohit's turn to get a six as the Indian captain danced down the wicket to loft Hasaranga over long-on. He followed that up with a four and then another six.
However, Karunaratne dismissed Rohit in the next over with a slower one.
(With PTI inputs)
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