Less than 24 hours before Thursday's second ODI between India and Sri Lanka, something special happened in off-spinner Akila Dananjaya's life. And it almost led to the hosts registering their first win since India arrived in the island-country.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Bhuvneshwar Kumar produced a calm and composed performance as they shared a crucial century-run stand to help India clinch a nerve-wracking three-wicket win over Sri Lanka by Duckworth-Lewis method in the second ODI of the five-match series at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Chasing a target of 232 runs to win, India made a strong start to their innings, with openers Rohit Sharma (54) and Shikhar Dhawan (49) stitching a pivotal 109-run stand to provide the visitors with an initial thrust. Subsequently, the Men is Blue suffered a dramatic collapse, losing their seven wickets for just 22 runs.
Right-arm Sri Lanka spinner Akila Dananjaya wreaked havoc as he scalped six wickets by conceding just 39 runs to take his side on the course of a dramatic win. Dananjaya had tied the knot less than 24 hours before the game at his hometown in Moartuwa (some 150 kilometers from Kandy) to childhood sweetheart Nethalie Tekshini. The Lankan spinner sure had lady luck on his side and almost handed the hosts their first win since India arrived in the island country.
However, Dhoni (38) and Bhuvneshwar (53) took India there on and batted sensibly, not giving away any chance to the Lankan bowlers and slowly and steadily ticking along. Especially, the right-arm Indian pacer who scored his highest ODI score to help his side cross the line with 16 balls to spare.
While Bhuvneshwar becomes the first batsman to score a fifty batting at No.9 or lower in India-Lanka ODIs, he and Dhoni also went on to share a highest-ever eighth wicket partnership.
Earlier, Jasprit Bumrah bagged four wickets, Yuzvendra Chahal two while Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel chipped in with a wicket each to help India restrict Lanka to lowly target of 236-8 in their stipulated 50 overs.
Milinda Siriwardana (58) and Chamara Kapugedera (40) were notable contributors for the hosts. However, because of the rain intervention during the innings break, the match was reduced to 47 overs with India being set a target of 231.
India, who registered a crushing nine-wicket win in the opening match in Dambulla, have now taken a 2-0 lead in the ODI series with today's win. The two sides will now lock horns in the third ODI on August 27.
(Inputs from ANI)
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 "cricket, web exclusive, Akila Dananjaya, mahendra singh dhoni, bhuvneshwar kumar, pallekele, Sri Lanka, india")
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