Twitterati hails Rangana Herath for playing a stupendous knock

Rangana Herath proved his worth the bat in the ongoing Test match between India and Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The visitors are well and truly in front against the number 1 side in the World courtesy a stupendous knock of 67 from the wily old fox. He extended Sri Lanka’s lead up to 122 which is sizeable given the way the match has panned out so far. However, Twitter erupted to his entertaining and brave innings which has put the visitors ahead and now can look for a sensational victory to take the lead in the series.

Herath came out to bat with the Indian bowlers all over the batsmen in the first hour of the fourth day. Sri Lanka had lost 3 wickets for just one run and had collapsed from 200/4 to 201/7. But he played beautifully with the tail-enders and extended the advantage for his team. Even the more accomplished batsman Dilruwan Perera looked uncomfortable in his 34-ball stay at the wicket but the left-hander garnered runs much to the frustration of the hosts.

The 39-year-old punished the bowlers whenever he was allowed to free his arms. His magnificent innings of 67 off 105 deliveries is the highest score so far and was dismissed by Mohammed Shami when the score read 290. He smashed nine fours in his knock and played like the proper batsman.

Can Sri Lanka surprise India?

The brilliant knock from Rangana Herath has presented Sri Lanka with a great opportunity to surprise the hosts in the first match of the three-match series. They have the sizeable lead of 122 now after being bowled out for 294 in reply to India’s 172. The pitch is still offering some help to the seam bowlers and Dinesh Chandimal would be hoping that Suranga Lakmal once again creates his magic with the ball. It would be interesting to see the response of the Indian team as they have been pushed to the corner by the visitors.

Twitter hailed Herath for his superb innings and also trolled the Indian bowlers for not being able to clean up the tail once again.

Here’s how Twitterati reacted to his knock:

Rangana Herath: (39y 242d)

– Oldest batsman to score fifty-plus runs in Tests played in India batting at No.8 or lower.

Prev. I Johnson (38 y 316d)#INDvSL

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) November 19, 2017

He bats in his own style, is amusing and clumsy occasionally, but Rangana Herath is the person you want in a tough situation. Invaluable 50, this

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 19, 2017

Herath's innings has ensured that only two results are now possible in this game. A draw or a Sri Lankan win

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 19, 2017

Rangana Herath proves that if age and circumstances alter your passion then you were never passionate. #INDvSL

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) November 19, 2017

Rangana Herath scored 67 off 105 in the first innings. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/oMJqUEno6h

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) November 19, 2017

Rangana Herath : Sri Lanka's man for crisis. with the ball, with the bat and for emergency captaincy. Rangayya is a champion! @HerathRSL #SriLanka #LKA

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) November 19, 2017

Batting record in England:
Kohli: 10 inngs, 134 runs, Avg 13.40, SR 46.52, HS 39
Herath: 14 inngs, 276 runs, Avg 21.23, SR 54.83, HS 61#INDvSL #justsaying #SeamingConditions #anomaly

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) November 19, 2017

I think India is potentially out of this Test. Criminal to all Herath to score so many free runs on this tricky pitch. very poor show. #IndVsSL

— Eskimo (@Deckle_Edge) November 19, 2017

Rangana Herath is trending, Ek second ke liye laga ki Kangana Herath is trending??

— Khilji (@yganesh0208) November 19, 2017

Magnificent innings by the legend Rangana Herath. Shows the class, experience and application on difficult pitch. Take a bow!!
??

— राहुल (@rkjagtap20) November 19, 2017

That moment you're a batsman and #Herath can play better than you. ? #INDvSL

— Shihaaz Buhary (@shihiboy) November 19, 2017

Lol facts: #INDvSL

1. Top Bowlers Ash & Jaddu bowled just 9 overs.

2. Rangana Herath comes out as the highest scorer of all.

— Sanath ? (@imSanath7) November 19, 2017

Herath: I don't wanna retire.
.
World: You are aged now, u can't get the same Zip while bowling.
.
Herath: Ok fine, throw me some Indian bowling. I will reborn as a batsman!! ??#INDvSL #IndvsSL

— Encrypted Layman!! (@FreddieFaizan) November 19, 2017

Rangana Herath @herathRSL an unstoppable man. Hope this test ends as a win for @officialslc

— Aadarsha wagle (@wagle_aadarsha) November 19, 2017

On pitches like these you don't win matches, you save them. Herath has already saved the match for Sri lanka, let's see who is going to do it for India. #INDvSL

— Vijit Mahaur (@Vijit_Mahaur) November 19, 2017

Highest test innings for SL at 39+ age

67 Herath today**
61 Somachandra vs NZ 1983
52 Somachandra vs NZ 1983#INDvSL

— Vidhu Pal (@vidhu_pal) November 19, 2017

Rangana Herath in 2017 ( test )

51 wickets with an average of 25.92

267 runs with an Average of 20.53#INDvSL

— Nitish Sharma (@nitishsharma812) November 19, 2017

Herath wanted to win a test in India and his innings today showed that he was damn serious about that. #GreatKnock ??#INDvSL #INDvsSL

— Kashish Sethi (@kashish__sethi) November 19, 2017