Sensational Sooryavanshi blasts Sri Lanka out of contention in A team decider.Teenage prodigy another Indian star on the horizon.
BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.
(eLanka Sports Editor)
Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi struck devastating form to shred Sri Lanka’s bowlers as he raced to a sensational 29-ball 94 and an innings that will be long remembered in the final T20 encounter in Dambulla.
The child prodigy who is already excitedly being compared with India’s greats such a Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kholi and M.S Dhoni, cut loose as Sri Lanka’s bowlers were helpless and had no clue where to bowl to him.
Racing to 50 in only 11 deliveries, he plundered runs at will as Sri Lanka tried five bowlers in a desperate effort to try and stifle his onslaught without success.
He was unfortunate to be caught off Sahan Arachige when a world record score was on the cards. But his blistering start had India well on the way to an unbeatable 377 for 9 total that Sri Lanka made a valiant attempt to overhaul but fell short by 66 runs.
Sri Lanka struck twice in timely fashion soon after seeing the back of Sooryavsnshi by removing his opening partner and then did creditability to peg the scoring back from what could have been frightening.
But India continued on their merry way bent on exploiting a sensational start. And they did to put the game beyond Sri Lanka’s grasp.
It was a batting master-class from the 15-year-old who is on the cusp of being inducted into India’s senior squad and right now, he has signalled he is ready.
He has already proved himself in the IPL making the best bowlers in the world stop and stare in disbelief as he treated them with disdain.
Among the recipients of his bludgeoning was Australia’s Pat Cummins, Josh Hazelwood and India’s usually unplayable Jasprit Bumrah.
He’s certainly got the incredible skill and temperament but needs some guidance about his mental approach after an altercation with the Sri Lanka team in the last match where tempers boiled over when he was at the crease in a losing effort in a match decided on a super over.
Whether he was provoked or not, his jostling with opposition players exposed his lack of experience on how to handle a potentially volatile situation.
He will get past it with the right advice but his form right now highlights the birth of another Indian superstar.
India made 277 fo 9 in their allotment. Sri Lanka aided by some fighting knocks could not stay the course and were bowled out for 311 in 47.1 overs.
It was a bad day for Sri Lanka Cricket when the women were thrashed by West Indies in their World Cup encounter in Southampton.
Battling first, Sri Lanka were skittled for 98 in only 19.4 overs.
Hayley Matthews 3 for 15 off 4 overs and Karishma Ramhayack 2 for 15 were the chief destroyers.
West Indies raced to the target in 16.1 overs but lost 5 wickets in their haste.
