By Pranavesh Sivakumar
A dynamic and a destructive 111 from Niroshan Dickwella and three-for from Akila Dananjaya, was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s smashing seven-wicket win, and squaring the series 2-2, at the fifth and final one-dayer, on Saturday, at Hubli, India.
Chasing 260, Sri Lanka were off to a rocking start, openers piling 165. Lankans, after largely being on the receiving end, for the entirety of this series, finally, let the steam off. They were all guns blazing, with Niroshan firing in all cylinders.
Sangeeth Cooray, from the other end, joined the party taking on the bowlers. For the first time in the series, Indians were reduced to mere passengers, and couldn’t much about the mauling batting. At one point, the duo was progressing, at a rate.
But, Shreyas Gopal, brought the desperately-needed breakthrough, giving gloveman Ishan Kishan his first stumping. Known for his aggressive style, the wicketkeeper-batsman had reached a match-winning hundred. The onslaught featured a dozen of boundaries and three towering tall sixes.
Gopal did not spare the centurion, as he struck in his immediate next spell, keeping keeper Kishan busy at stumps. Bhanuka Rajapaksa finished a forgettable series.
However, Shehan Jayasuriya, having enjoyed a consistent run, joined hands with his skipper Ashan Priyanjan. The duo too looked in ease, arrived at the crease to complete the job. Unlike the openers, they did not go aggressive, instead calmly sailed the ship, that was already in safe hands.
They, eventually, crossed the line with sixteen-balls to spare, albeit, Jayasuriya missed out on his potential fourth fifty (45*).
Visitors, winning the toss and fielding first, removed Prashanth Chopra quickly. But, Anmolpreet Singh, attempted to anchor, but Ishan Jayaratne ended his sojourn stay.
It soon became a see-saw contest, with batters attacking with partnerships, and bowlers counterattacking with wickets. Akila Dananjaya, introduced to the attack, delivered a triple strike, including dismissing a Deepak Hooda, who was threatening to settle.
Gaikwad’s a near run-a-ball 74 from 73, followed by handy knocks in the middle-order took them to 259.
Brief scores:
India ‘A’: 259 for ten. 50 overs. (Gaikwad 74, R Bhui 38, A Dananjaya 3 for 51, A Priyaranjan 2 for 23).
Sri Lanka ‘A’: 260 for three. 47.4 overs. (N Dickwella 111, S Cooray 61, S Jayasuriya 45, S Gopal 3-49)
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