Sri Lanka in 2-1 win over World Champs India
Sri Lanka’s Visually Handicapped team scored a memorable 2-1 ODI series win over world champions India, in their inaugural bilateral Cricket series at the BRC Grounds last Tuesday.
In this three 40-over match series the Lanka cricketers gave a fine display in all 3 departments of the game. The first match was highlighted by a hat-trick by Sri Lanka’s deputy skipper Dinesh Mathugama (B2) which mainly helped the Lankans gain a 2-wicket win on the D/L method. India batting first scored 260 runs in 31.2 overs. Durga Raj, Deepak Malik and Rambir with half-centuries, were the main contributors. Mathugama (B2), with 3/34, was the pick of the bowlers.
In reply, Sri Lanka scored 233/8 when rain interrupted play, to give the hosts a 2-wicket win on D/L method. Ajit Silva (B1) led the run chase with a sparkling 68.
Soggy ground conditions reduced the 2nd ODI to 20 overs each, and the local team registered an easy 7-wickets win. Taking first lease of the wicket, India made 195/4. Ajay Reddy and Sunil Ramesh shone with 66 and 59 respectively.
A fighting, unfinished 4th-wicket partnership by Sahan Kumara (B1) (78 n.o.) and Ajit Kumara (B1) (90 n.o.) helped Sri Lanka pull off a 7-wicket win, with 2.4 overs to spare.
Indians were never willing to go empty-handed in the series, as they recorded a 68-run win in the final ODI last Tuesday. The Indians rattled a demanding 323/8 in 40 overs. Ganesh Mudhkar (86) Sunil Ramesh (54) and Baskar Kaldappa (29 n.o.) led the run fiesta. Kosala Herath (B1), skipper Chandana Sooriarachchi (B3) and Dinesh Mathugama (B2) bowled well to keep the Indians in check by capturing 2 wickets each.
Despite a steady 6th-wicket partnership by Chandana Sooriarachchi (B3) (37) and Sahan Kumara (B1) (84), Sri Lanka fell behind the target by 68 runs. Ajay Reddy (2/36) and Rambir (3/40) troubled the late order batsmen with crafty bowling.
(B1 – Totally blind, B2 – Semi blind, B3 – Better view with a slight defect)
Individual awards: Man of the Match 1st ODI – Dinesh Mathugama (Sri Lanka), 2nd ODI – Ajit Silva (Sri Lanka), 3rd ODI – Ganesh Mudhkar (India)
Men of the Series: B1 – Ajit Silva (Sri Lanka), B2 – Ajay Reddy (India), B3 – Durga Reddy (India)
Sri Lanka Team: Ajit Silva (B1), Priyantha Kumara (B3), Ruwan Wasantha (B2), Chandana Deshapriya (B3), Sahan Kumara (B1), Dinesh Mathugama (B2), Chandana Sooriyarachchi (B3), Chandana Bandara (B2), Ravindra (B1), Ruwan Karunatilleke (B3), Kosala Herath (B1), Nuwantha Sudesh (B1), Samam Thushara (B2), Damith Sandaruwan (B3).