Twitter Reactions: Akila Dananjaya lights up the series with a magical spell

Attack is the best form of defense. There is never a truer word spoken but there are times when you need to keep your head down and bat for time. India just doesn’t seem to be interested in doing that in the 2nd ODI played at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy.

Set a modest target of 236, which got reduced to 231 off 47 overs due to a bit of rain, India looked set to overhaul the target after Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma added 109 runs for the opening wicket. Once Upul Tharanga introduced spin, India stuttered. Rohit Sharma was the first to depart, given leg before wicket off Akila Dananjaya after making a fine 54. Dhawan fell next, the only wicket that didn’t go to Dananjaya. Part time left-arm spinner Siriwardana took his wicket and then it was all Akila Dananjaya.

India frittered the good start by the need of remaining positive despite losing their openers in quick succession. Jadhav was the next to go, fell to a delivery he should have been forward to. Akila unveiled his leg break after starting with off breaks, then came the googly, which stunned the Indians.

Virat Kohli batted at No. 5 and allowed KL Rahul to take the No. 3 spot today. Making a comeback in the ODI fold, Rahul looked very tentative as he tried defending the first delivery he faced which was a half volley. His confidence was further jolted when he saw his skipper being castled by Dananjaya which created a sort of panic in the Indian dressing room.

To Dananjaya’s advantage, the ball was drifted and dipping which brought the downfall of Rahul two balls after Kohli’s dismissal. He thought of driving a ball which seemed a half volley before it dipped on Rahul and it was too late to bring the defensive shot out as it went through his bat and pad to hit the stumps.

Pandya came out with an attacking mindset but was embarrassed by the young Dananjaya who got him out stumped as India slumped to 121 for 6 after being 109 for no loss. Axar Patel was the next casualty, falling to a straight delivery which he failed to make any connection with and was adjudged leg before the wicket. Akila’s magnificent spell brought Sri Lanka back into the contention for the first time in the series. His 6-wicket haul has lifted the entire team and India will need a Dhoni special to win this one.

Here are the best tweets during Akila’s memorable spell: