By Pranavesh Sivakumar
It was contrasting batting shows. Wreck of batting from the visitors, and rich form from Ruturaj Gaikwad (125), ably assisted by Shubman Gill (109), their batting doing the talking, in their hard-hitting 10-wicket win, and extending the lead 2-0, in the second one-dayer, yesterday, at Belgaum, India
The two had their intentions, to give beans by batting after brutal bowling battered their counterparts. Gaikwad got going from where left, turning in to another T-20 knock, making bowlers sweat for the wicket-less bowling.
It was more or less, the same assault. Forgettable and sorry Saturday for the Lankans. Gaikwad, produced the chief-brunt, tearing the bowling, with 14 boundaries, and four sixes. Shubman, at the other end, was merciful, though, in the quick-fire 96-ball 109, inclusive of two half-a-dozen.
Shubman, retired after the win was sealed and certain.
The host side, winning the toss and fielding first, made merry of a miserable batting show. Batsmen entered and exited swiftly. 1 for six, two for seven, three down for sixteen and shortly down-and-out at six for 81. Opening match century maker for Sri Lanka, Shehan Jayasuriya, was running out of partners. However, a surprise package of Ishan Jayaratne rose to the occasion and for rescue. The two averted the team from further descend and burial.
The duo, staged a delightful recovery, from a dramatic collapse. On that process, Shehan registered his second well-deserved ton of the series. After delivering his part, he departed for 101, having recovered the team, from a quagmire. Lower-order batsman, Ishan, finished the innings setting new personal high of 79.
Jayasuriya and Jayaratne combined a 142-run partnership, that, eventually, took them to 242.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka ‘A’: 242 for seven. 50 overs. (S Jayasuriya 101, I Jayaratne 79*, T Deshapande 2-51, S Dube 2-47).
India ‘A’:243 for no loss. 33.3 overs. (R Gaikwad 125*, S Gill 109)
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