India versus Sri Lanka 2nd ODI: Deepak Chahar’s and Bhuvneshwar Kumar heroics leads India to series win

 Thanks to a sensational partnership between Deepak Chahar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, India proved their worth as they defeated Sri Lanka in the 2^nd ODI played at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and decided to bat first. Minod Bhanuka survived few close chances while Avishka Fernando played with intent putting the pressure right back on Deepak Chahar. After the initial struggle, Bhanuka took the attack to Indian bowlers. The Sri Lankan openers continued to show intent against and ended the first 10 overs with the scoreboard reading 59 for 0.

Fernando and Bhanuka kept the scoreboard ticking making life tough for the Indian bowlers. Chahal struck twice in successive deliveries dismissing Bhanuka and then Rajapaksa. Bhanuka hit a full toss delivery straight into the hands of Manish Pandey ending 77 runs opening partnership. He then produced peach to get rid of the wicket of Rajapaksa as Ishan Kishan took a good catch.

Avishka Fernando and Dhananjaya de Silva steadied the ship for Sri Lanka taking singles and hitting occasional boundaries. Fernando impressed with his timing and completed his fifty off 70 balls. Soon after, he played a poor stroke to be caught Krunal Pandya at long-on. Dhananjaya de Silva and Fernando added 47 runs for the 3^rd wicket. Soon after, Dhananjaya de Silva was deceived by the slower delivery caught by Dhawan to leave Sri Lanka in some trouble at 134 for 4.

Charith Asalanaka and captain Dasun Shanaka were not allowed to hit boundaries by the Indian bowlers. Chahal broke the partnership by getting rid of Sri Lankan captain Shanaka with a flatter delivery. Shanaka and Asalanaka added 38 runs for the 5^th wicket. Deepak Chahar deceived Hasaranga with a knuckle to leave Sri Lanka in big trouble at 194 for 6. Asalanaka and Chamika Karurante kept the composure for the hosts hitting boundaries keeping the scoreboard ticking.

Asalanaka was superb with composure reaching fifty off just 56 balls. A good catch by substitute Paddikal ended the innings for Asalanaka. Asalanaka and Karurante added 50 runs for the 7^th wicket. Bhuvneshwar Kumar got rid of Chameera with a slower delivery caught by Paddikal while Sandakan was run out by Ishan Kishan. Chamika Karurante hit 2 successive boundaries to help Sri Lanka post a competitive total of 275 for 9 in 50 overs.

Chasing 276 runs to win, it was an aggressive start by Prithvi Shaw hitting 3 boundaries. Hasaranga was bought into the attack in 3^rd over and dismissed the dangerous Shaw trying to cut. Kasun Rajitha then got rid of Ishan Kishan taking the inside edge onto the stumps. Shikhar Dhawan looked impressive with his strokes and hit bad balls away for boundaries. At the end of the first 10 overs, India made 60 for 2.

Hasaranga struck for the second time getting rid of Dhawan to leave India in trouble at 65 for 3. Dhawan was given out by DRS as the umpire gave it not out and on review the decision was overturned to out. Manish Pandey and Surya Kumar Yadav showed class putting the Sri Lankan bowlers under pressure keeping the scoreboard ticking. Manish Pandey's innings came to an unfortunate end as Surya Kumar Yadav hit a shot but touched Shanaka’s hand and was run-out. Surya Kumar Yadav and Manish Pandey added 50 runs for the 4^th wicket. After being dropped off the first ball, Hardik Pandya was caught by Dhanajaya de Silva at short midwicket to leave India in serious trouble at 116 for 5.

Krunal Pandya survived few chances after coming at the crease. After scoring at a quick pace initially, Surya Kumar Yadav adjusted to pitch conditions and reached his maiden fifty ODI fifty off 42 balls. Soon after, Sandakan got rid of Surya Kumar Yadav with a slider. Surya Kumar decided to review the decision and it was retained. Surya Kumar and Krunal Pandya added 44 runs for the 6^th wicket.

Krunal Pandya played according to the situation and grabbed important runs against Sandakan. On the other hand, Deepak Chahar kept his composure giving most of the strike to Krunal. Hasaranga struck on his first ball of the second spell getting rid of Krunal Pandya. Krunal and Deepak Chahar added 33 runs for the 7^th wicket.

After the fall of Krunal Pandya’s wicket, Deepak Chahar showed his class by hitting boundaries off Sandakan. Bhuvneshwar Kumar gave good support playing according to merit. Hasaranga was superb with his lines and lengths. Chahar looked composed and reached his maiden international fifty off 64 balls. Chahar kept his composure to hit boundaries at important times. Both Indian batsmen faced Hasaranga with any hassles. Bhuvneshwar Kumar also smacked an important boundary.

With 3 runs required off 6 balls, Deepak Chahar hit a boundary to help India register remarkable 3 wickets win. Chahar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar added 84 runs for the 8^th wicket.

India 277 for 7 in 49.1 overs (Deepak Chahar 69*, Surya Kumar Yadav 53, Hasaranga 3/37) beat Sri Lanka 275 for 9 in 50 overs (Asalanaka 65, Fernando 50, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3/54, Chahal 3/50) by 3 wickets.

For his career-best score of 69* and 2 for 53, Deepak Chahar was awarded the man of the match award. With this win, India sealed the series and register 10 more points in ICC ODI Super League. The third and final ODI will be played on 23^rd July at the same ground.

 

Deepak Chahar career-best score of 69 helps India register a 3 wicket win over SL