Watch: Gautam Gambhir in shock as Charith Asalanka takes screamer to remove Axar Patel in IND vs SL 2nd ODI
Published - 04 Aug 2024, 09:33 PM | Updated - 24 Aug 2024, 07:10 AM
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team skipper Charith Asalanka is stepping up big time for his team in the ongoing second ODI against the India National Cricket Team. The match between the two teams is taking place at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Charith Asalanka, who troubled the India batters in the first ODI, has been doing the same thing in the ongoing game. He came up with a big blow for the India National Cricket Team as he went on to remove Axar Patel, who was going great guns with the bat and was keeping his team in the hunt.
On the first ball of the 34th over, Charith Asalanka bowled a length ball from around the wicket. The ball held onto the pitch as Axar Patel punched off the back foot, but he was early into his shot and failed to keep the ball down, which led to his downfall in the ongoing game.
Charith Asalanka moved to his left and took a brilliant low catch to send the batter packing. The effort of the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team skipper left India coach Gautam Gambhir in absolute shock as India lost a massive wicket at the crucial juncture of the game.
Here's the video:
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Axar Patel played a fighting knock for his team and scored 44 runs off 44 balls. He batted with a strike rate of 100 and also slammed 4 fours and 2 sixes in his innings. His wicket left India tottering at 185/7 as they came under massive pressure.
After he got out, Sri Lanka bowlers were all over the Indian batters. They ended the Indian innings with 208 runs and went on to win the game by 32 runs and went 1-0 up in the series. Jeffrey Vandersay did the major damage as he made a mockery of the Indian batting lineup with a sensational performance.
Jeffrey Vandersay picked 6 wickets while skipper Charith Asalanka bagged three wickets as India went on to lose the game. For the hosts, skipper Rohit Sharma was the top run scorer with the bat as he scored 64 runs but after he got out, nothing went in India's way
There was a lot of pressure coming into the side - Jeffrey Vandersay
Jaffrey Vandersay talked about his performance with the ball and said that he was under a lot of pressure. He said that it was important for him to adapt to the team atmosphere and added that his confidence was boosted after he picked his first wicket. He added:
"There was a lot of pressure coming into the side. I am coming out of a layoff. I had to do something, and it was easier to take credit. I want to give credit to the batters as well. They put on 240 runs and that helped me to bowl in good areas. Hasaranga is out No. 1 spinner.
"I got to understand the atmosphere of the team and team balance. I have to keep pushing myself. There was assistance in the wicket, I was trying to hit the good areas. Once I got my first wicket, that built up my confidence. Fortunately, I was able to take six wickets," he concluded.