By Pranavesh Sivakumar
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s gigantic and an undone 187, snatched the game from the visitors by 48-runs, making Shehan Jayasuriya’s 108 a futile attack, in the 42-overs-a-side, opening One-dayer, on Thursday, at Belgaum, India.
In pursuit of an imposing 318, hopes were pinned on to opening batsman, Niroshan Dickwella, only to be dismissed cheaply. The two batsman, who followed also returned to the dressing room promptly. But, Shehan Jayasuriya and Skipper Ashan Priyaranjan, joined in the middle and paused the mini-procession.
At least, to stand a chance of getting close to the uphill target, someone had to repeat Gaikwad’s onslaught. That turned out to be Shehan. Together, with the captain, the duo put on 51. Priyaranjan, trying to be on-par, lost his wicket to a rapid 15-ball 29 (2 4’s and 2 half-a-dozen’s).
Again, Indian bowlers found momentum and struck. But, Jayasuriya began to take on the bowlers, hit a 108, inclusive of two sixes. Dasun Shanaka, too, attempted have a crack at the target, but his dismissal drew curtains, and, eventually Shehan was stranded at 108, at the completion of allotted quota of overs.
Sri Lanka, making their counterparts bat first, had Shubman Gill in no time. But, a sheer merciless onslaught began to break, and Gaikwak whacked 187 from only 136. A one-day knock soon turned to a T20 knock, butchering the bowlers.
Anmolpreet Singh, also chipped in with 65, followed by captain Ishan Kishan’s 45, that, ultimately, carried them to the authoritative total. The centurion, set a new personal high and carried the bat.
Brief scores:
India ‘A’: 317-4. 42 overs. (R Gaikwad 187, A Singh 65, I Kishan 45, L Kumara 3-62)
Sri Lanka ‘A’: 269 for six. 42 overs. (S Jayasuriya 108, D Shanaka 44, T Deshapande 1-48, M Markande 2-66)
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