Dasun Shanaka Happy To Take Up Captaincy; Highlights Where Sri Lanka Went Wrong

Sri Lanka’s new ODI skipper Dasun Shanaka predictably had a tough start to his captaincy career as India beat them by seven wickets to start the three-match ODI series. Though Sri Lanka put up a competitive total of 262, their fielding lapses at crucial junctures were too much for the bowling unit to cover. Dasun Shanaka, who scored a fighting 39, commented that Sri Lanka bowlers needed to change their pace well on the batting-friendly conditions in the second innings.

Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to bat first as Sri Lanka started steadily, adding 49 inside ten overs for the opening stand. But the hosts slid to 117-4 quickly as the spinners put the lid on the run-scoring. Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanka ensured that Sri Lanka did not fall apart quickly by stitching a 49-run partnership. But the highlight of the innings was Chamika Karunaratne’s cameo of 43 that set India 263 to win. Contrary to the belief that run-scoring would be challenging on this surface, Prithvi Shaw started breezily.

He struck nine boundaries in his 24-ball 43 before holing out to the long-on fielder. Debutant Ishan Kishan continued the momentum and started his ODI career with a six before reaching a 33-ball half-century. Lakshan Sandakan removed Kishan for 59 to give Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope; however, Shikhar Dhawan began taking charge from this point. Manish Pandey wasted an opportunity by departing for 26, but another debutant in Suryakumar Yadav stayed till the end to see the team through, alongside the skipper.

We started well but the ball was hanging a bit, they bowled well: Dasun Shanaka

Dasun Shanaka claimed that they started well; however, the ball stopped a bit later and credited Indians for bowling well. The seam-bowling all-rounder stated he is honored to take up the leadership responsibility and felt his bowlers needed to take pace off the ball as India batted aggressively on batting-friendly conditions. Dasun Shanaka aims to lead Sri Lanka’s comeback in the next game.

“We started well but the ball was hanging a bit, they bowled well. I am happy to take the responsibility of the captaincy. The Indians batted aggressively. We needed to vary the pace as the ball was coming on to the bat nicely. In the next game, we will have to improve on that,” Shanaka told in the post-match presentation.

Also Read: Watch: Liam Livingstone’s 121.96M Six Off Haris Rauf Lands Out Of The Headingley