Nidahas Trophy: Twitter Reacts As Sri Lanka Stuns India In Opener

Riding on Kusal Perera’s whirlwind knock, Sri Lanka beat India by 5 wickets in the first game of the Nidahas Trophy to start their campaign on a perfect note.

Chasing 175, Sri Lanka were off to a poor start. Washington Sundar accounted for Kusal Mendis in the very second over. However, it was not a precursor of the things that were to follow. Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Perera ran riot by adding 58 runs off just 21 balls. The stand was broken when Jaydev Unadkat accounted for Danushka Gunathilaka with a slower delivery.

There was still no respite for India as Perera was going bonkers. The left-handed batsman raced away to his fifty off just 22 balls. It was looking like a one-way traffic before Yuzvendra Chahal castled Dinesh Chandimal and reduced the hosts to 98 for 3.  India’s hopes were then revived when Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal accounted for Perera and Upul Tharanga respectively to leave the hosts reeling at 136 for 5 in the 15th over.

India managed to keep things quiet for a while but Dasun Shanaka and Thisara Perera made sure the hosts do not squander the good start as Sri Lanka reached home with more than a over remaining.

Earlier, Shikhar Dhawan’s brilliant 90-run knock had helped India post a competitive 174 for 5. Sent in to bat first., the Men in Blue were off to a poor start. Skipper Rohit Sharma was dismissed in the very first over while Suresh Raina joined him in the dressing room in the following over.

Dhawan and Pandey then steadied the ship with a 95-run stand. Dhawan was the aggressor during the stand while Pandey struggled to play his usual game. The stand came to an end when Pandey hit one straight to the fielder while trying to play a big shot. The right-handed batsman scored 37 off 35 balls. Dhawan then played some big shots and just when it looked he would score his maiden T20 century, he too perished while going for  a big shot. The southpaw scored 90 off just 49 balls with the help of 6 fours and as many sixes. Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant then played some handy shots to help India finish with a good total.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:

Bhai ye log nahi jeetenge apne bina#SLvIND pic.twitter.com/i6ImpjU5FJ

— Karan Talwar (@BollywoodGandu) March 6, 2018

Subcontinent and world cricket needs a strong Sri Lanka side. Hope wins like this leads them into the right direction.. #INDvSL

— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) March 6, 2018

Authoratative win by Sri Lanka. IMO would have chased down 190, perhaps even 200. Puts India's lopsided batting effort into perspective

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 6, 2018

Sri Lanka wins in Colombo and celebrations already started in Kandy

— sunil the cricketer (@1sInto2s) March 6, 2018

Rajasthan Royals owners after seeing Jaydev Unadkat's performance on this tour. #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/RnaPqF061c

— sunil the cricketer (@1sInto2s) February 21, 2018

With that stumping of Kusal Perera, Dinesh Karthik did brilliantly well. Hasn’t been keeping regularly and with keepers and selectors, we only notice when they make mistakes. Thankless job #SLvIND

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 6, 2018

Kusal Perera has often given glimpses of his hitting ability. Today is more than a glimpse!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 6, 2018

This #NidhasTrophy is going to only be about individuals for India. Don't expect them to roll over sides since attack isn't even IPL level.

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) March 6, 2018

You can't question Thakur's commitment but he is the kind of bowler a batsman looks at in shorter forms and thinks of targeting him.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) March 6, 2018

Gabbar scored 90 runs but Thakur conceded 27 runs in his first over.

The revenge taking attitude should stop now.#Sholay#INDvSL

— sunil the cricketer (@1sInto2s) March 6, 2018

27 runs of a single over, #KusalPerera just destroyed #Thakur. With 5 4s (one free hit after a no ball) and a 6.. #INDvSL

— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac) March 6, 2018

https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/971049368756170752

https://twitter.com/PUNchayati/status/971047126862938113

from now onwards everyone will recognise Shardul Thakur..

i suggest him to keep off frm public transport

— Arun Lol (@dhaikilokatweet) March 6, 2018

When you learn there’s a light year difference between captaining Mumbai Indians and Indian team.. pic.twitter.com/nGnU3w6XFg

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) December 10, 2017

If Rishabh Pant wants to be the next Dhoni, he needs to meet a pretty girl in a flight just about now.

— cricBC (@cricBC) March 6, 2018

Rishabh Pant successfully clearing the thirty yard circle with his huge shots.#INDvSL

— sunil the cricketer (@1sInto2s) March 6, 2018

https://twitter.com/iamBumrah/status/971038883306762245?

https://twitter.com/arunhitaishi/status/971024420125818886?

Suresh Raina bhi Rohit Sharma ko Maggi banane me help krne k liye, jaldi out ho gya..#IndvSL #NidahasTrophy

— Amit K Saxena (@AmitKSaxena_) March 6, 2018

https://twitter.com/Crichipster/status/971016377246068736?

what Sri Lanka did to Rohit Sharma today pic.twitter.com/qoU7f8QWAF

— Arun Lol (@dhaikilokatweet) March 6, 2018

https://twitter.com/whatsiniid/status/971020264543805440