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Unfair or greatest comeback? Twitter divided as Galle knocks out Colombo after qualifying with just two wins

Galle Gladiators after qualifying as the 4th placed team, knocked out table-toppers Colombo Kings in the semis

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Galle Gladiators beat Colombo Kings to reach the final of Lanka Premier League | Twitter
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Galle Gladiators have become the first finalists of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) as they knocked the table-toppers Colombo Kings out of the tournament on Sunday, in Hambantota.

Gladiators after losing all their first five games in the league stage qualified as the fourth-placed team after winning two out of their last three games. Since there are only five teams in total, only one team had to be knocked out after the league stage came to an end.

But with the traditional semi-finals format in place, it meant that there were no second chances and the loser had to go home, irrespective of what they did previously in the league stage.

So, Kings with 6 wins were playing Gladiators, who had faced 6 losses and qualified with just two wins. 

With Laurie Evans pulling out just before the game, Kings didn't have a good start.

The two Lakshans - Dhananjaya Lakshan and Lakshan Sandakan starred for Gladiators with both the bat and the ball. Bowling first, Gladiators restricted a powerful Kings batting line-up to 150.

Chasing 151, even though Gladiators kept losing wickets at regular intervals, they were never behind the asking rate. And, the Lakshans in the end helped the Gladiators to do an impossible - reach the final of the tournament winning just 3 games out of nine.

Dhananjaya Lakshan ended with 31* (23) after taking two wickets while bowling.


Netizens, however, were divided after the result. While, many said that it was unfair on Kings, who played brilliantly throughout the tournament and advocated for having the playoffs system like the IPL where the teams finishing at No 1 and No 2 positions, get a second chance if they have a bad day in the first.

On the other hand, many users applauded Galdiators for their effort and the 360-degree turnaround of their campaign after they looked out of sorts in the first half of their campaign.

Sri Lanka's Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa too while commending the Gladiators felt that it was unfair on Kings, who played so well in the tournament except in the semis.

Here are some of the reactions:

(Brief Scores: Galle Gladiators 151/8 - Bhanuka Rajapaksa - 33 (17), Dhananjaya Lakshan - 31* (23) beat Colombo Kings - Daniel Bell-Drummond - 70 (53); Lakshan Sandakan - 3/32, Dhananjaya Lakshan - 2/27  by 2 wickets)

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