Sri Lanka v India, 3rd ODI - 5 Talking Points

The third ODI at Pallekele was yet another low scoring affair but without the element of thrill which the game had in previous one. India, in the end, managed to win the match by six wickets and also clinched the series with a lead of 3-0 in the 5-match series. Sri Lankans won the toss and stand-in skipper for Sri Lanka, Chamara Kapugedara, elected to bat first. Virat Kohli’s team restricted the Lankans to a total of 217 as they lost nine wickets in the process.

Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers for India while Lahiruj Thirimane played a blinder of a knock on his comeback. After a minor scare in the middle with the quick wickets of RCB contingent in the Indian side- Jadhav, Kohli and Rahul, India managed to cruise to the required total, thanks to the Rohit Sharma ton and MS Dhoni’s finishing knock. Rohit Sharma was adjudged as the man of the match for his splendid innings. Here are the five talking points in today’s match.

1. Lahiru Thirimanne’s comeback knock

Many of us are aware of the fact the recent years in Sri Lankan Cricket have been forgetful for the side due to their dismal performances in the transitional phase post the retirement of the Sangakkara’s, the Dilshan and the Jayawardena’s. The likes of Chandimal, Mathews and Thirimanne, who have shared the dressing room with the above-mentioned veterans were all set to carry forward the baton of Lankan cricket.

However, the Board has toyed with these players and worst struck due to the indecision in the administration was Lahiru Thirimanne. He played his last a one-dayer 20 months back in January 2016. Since then, he could not find his place in the squad while the team struggled to win matches.

The injury to Gunathilaka led to Thirimanne making a come back in coloured clothing. He cashed in on the opportunity and scored an invaluable 80 runs off 105 balls, slamming five fours and a long six. None of the batsmen could manage to reach that mark in the series until now for Sri Lanka. Previously, only Dickwella’s 64 was the highest for Sri Lanka in the series.

This knock baffled many in the cricketing fraternity as a player of the quality and experience of Thirimanne being out of action with the team struggling to win cannot be justified by any means.

2. Jasprit Bumrah owning the series

Jasprit Bumrah had yet another brilliant day at the office after claiming four wickets in the second ODI. He claimed his maiden five wicket haul in ODI cricket today as he gave away only 27 runs in his quota of ten overs at an economy of 2.7. The Mumbai Indians player now has 11 wickets in three matches as he continued his dream spell in the series.

With the new ball, he first removed the ever so dangerous Dickwella and Mendis in quick succession. In his final spell, he came back and picked the wicket of Thirimanne who looked set for another a ton on his comeback. His wicket turned it around for the hosts at death. He then cleaned up Dhananjaya and Siriwardena to pick up his maiden five wicket haul in ODIs.

3. Dhananjaya continues his 2nd ODI spell

After his unnegotiable spell in the second ODI where he ripped apart the Indian batting lineup with his six wicket haul, Dhananjaya continued his love affair with Pallekele and threatened a recap of the second ODI with the wickets of KL Rahul and Kedar Jadhav.

In the previous match as well, KL Rahul had no clue about the googly and fell victim to Dhananjaya. In order to dominate him up front, Rahul tried to smash him over midwicket. Unfortunately, he found the fielder deep at mid wicket. Kedar Jadhav also tried the same ploy to attack the spinner and was caught in front of the wickets. Thankfully for India, the men in blue did not concede any more wickets to Dhananjaya since MS Dhoni joined Rohit Sharma

4. Rohit Sharma’s ton

With wickets falling around him up front, Rohit Sharma held one end up and dominated the Lankans with his brand of elegant strokeplay. India looked in safe hands with Rohit Sharma on strike. As soon as he found an able company in MS Dhoni, Sharma’s innings started to blossom even further and eventually Rohit brought up his 11th ODI Century.

He not only brought up his three figure mark but also ensured an Indian victory with his innings of 124 off 145 balls, at a strike rate of 85.5, smashing a staggering sixteen boundaries and three maximums in his innings. Together with MS Dhoni, he forged a match winning partnership of 157 runs in 180 balls.

5. Yet another MS Dhoni special

Indians were losing wickets to the young sensation of Sri Lankan cricket Akila Dhananjaya yet again as the horrors of the second ODI started to unfold. India lost KL Rahul and Kedar Jadhav in quick sensation but in came Dhoni and brought the calm the team needed at that moment.

He scored an unbeaten knock of 67 off just 86 balls and also went for a nap amidst interruption in play. He gave able support to Rohit Sharma who looked in majestic touch and completed the job for India in two successive ODIs. India also took an unassailable lead of 3-0 in the series and clinch their fifth consecutive series win on the trot.