Dasun Shanaka inspires Sri Lanka leveller. But validity of Indian team selection under question – By TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE
India’s arrogance backfired on them when Sri Lanka led by skipper Dasun Shanaka turned tables on them breathing new life to a questionable three game T20 series.
Smarting from the first game loss to India’s second string, the pride if the Lion rose in defiance to beat India and level the T20 series reigniting casual interest in what appeared to be a listless contest.
Dasun Shanaka led his team with pride in a man-of-the-match performance to give the visitors some respect in their 16-run win.
While the decider is of academic interest, India’s disrespect of an opponent with their team selection suggests a few things. Did they plan this tour to generate financial benefit to the cash strapped Sri Lankans, or are they fearful of failure before the Australian leg which demands a higher degree of success above all else?
Speculation is rife about the motives behind the Sri Lankan leg and if the Sri Lankans clinch the series there should not be the expected euphoria from a world that knows the Indians were undermanned through design.
Another disturbing fact is that the ICC will not question the Indian stance despite a clear suggestion that there is irregularity in the contest which opens it to all types of behind the scenes manipulation, not in the spirit of the game. It also challenges the integrity of the Indians.
However, Lanka’s loss in the first game contradicted the One-sidedness the Indians could have been accused of and technically let’s them off the hook.
Fans rightly question if the tour should have been labelled an ‘A’ team tour instead .
Sri Lanka’s fickle batting struck timely form to accumulate 206 for 6 in their allotted overs.
Half centuries to Kusal Mendis, 52 off 36 balls with 6 sixers and 3 fours, Charith Asalanka 37 off 19 balls with 4 sixers and a late flurry from Shanaka 56 off 22balls with 6 sixers and 2 fours gave them a ray of hope of upsetting the cock-a-hoop Indians. Initially, openers Pathum Nissanka 33, and Mendis laid the platform for a decent total when they posted 80 off 8.2 overs.
India in reply fell into an early hole when the Sri Lankan attack had them in trouble at 5 for 57in 9.1 overs.
But Axar Patel and Suriyakumar Yadav stemmed the tide to mount an Indian fightback posting 89 for the sixth wicket in quick time raising hope of an unlikely win.
Patel smashed 65 off 31 balls with 6 sixers and 3 fours, and Yadav 51 off 36 with 3 sixers and 3 fours in a vain effort thwarted by the Sri Lankan skipper who backed up his form with the bat to grab two wickets in the last over where India needed 21 runs.
If India continues with leaving out their stars, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, K.L Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohamed Shami there will be questions asked about the validity of this contest without doubt. The Indians will be expected to defend their motives.
