Nidahas Trophy, Match 4, Sri Lanka v India Review: Men in Blue Thrash Hosts in Rain Curtailed Encounter

Team India produced a thoroughly professional performance in the 4^th match of the Nidahas Trophy as they defeated ri Lanka by 6 wickets to top the group stage at this stage. Earlier in the day, it was some good tight bowling by the Indian bowlers which restricted the hosts to a score of 152 runs. Shardul Thakur was the pick of the bowlers bagging 4 wickets while Washington Sundar also chipped in with a couple wickets. ‘

The match was shortened by an over due to rain. Rohit Sharma won the toss and put the hosts in given the possibilities of showers in mind. Sri Lanka began well as openers Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka shared a 25 runs stand between them. It was Shardul Thakur who provided the maiden breakthrough in the form of Gunathilaka.

Kusal Mendis played a stellar knock and scored yet another half;f-century. He struck some exquisite shots to get going. It was Washington Sundar who provided the Indians with the 2^nd breakthrough. The dangerman Kusal Perera was dismissed by the youngster with a well-flighted delivery. The hosts weren’t able to stitch together big partnerships which eventually stemmed their run flow.

Shardul Thakur was simply brilliant in the final overs and restricted the hosts to 152 in 19 overs. It shouldn’t have been a big ask for The Indian batters. Despite an initial hiccup, Dinesh Karthik and Mannish Pandey ensured India secured yet another comprehensive victory.

Rohit Sharma began with a couple of brilliant boundaries through the cover region to get going. However the mystery spinner Akila Dananjaya foxed both the batters with two brilliant deliveries as India was reduced to 22/2. There was again a brief partnership of 40 runs between KL; Rahul and Suresh Raina. The southpaw, in particular, looked in sublime touch and struck a couple of fours and sixes each during his knock of 27 of 15 deliveries.

Both feel in quick succession and it was left to Manish Pandey and Dinesh Karthik to see of the deal for the visitors. Both Karthik and Pandey played some exceptional shots and helped India reach the target with 9 deliveries to spare. While Pandey remained unbeaten on 42 of 39 deliveries, Karthik played a stellar knock of 39 in 25 deliveries.

Brief Scores

Sri Lanka 152/9 in 19 overs (Kusal Mendis 55, Shardul Thakur 4/7, Washington Sundar 2/21)

India 153/4 in 17.3 overs (Manish Pandey 42*, Dinesh Karthik 39*, Akila Dananjaya 2/19)

India won by 6 wickets (with 9 deliveries to spare)