India cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal is known for his wicket-taking abilities but his fielding credentials came to the fore against Sri Lanka in the third T20I at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Friday. India crushed Sri Lanka by 78 runs in the final T20I to take the series 2-0 (the first match was abandoned without a ball being bowled). During the Sri Lanka innings, Chahal effected a brilliant run-out of Wanindu Hasaranga but it was his reaction that left the fans in splits.
Also Read: Dhawan explains why Samson replaced Pant and batted at No.3
During the 14th over of the chase, Hasaranga hit Shardul Thakur delivery straight at Chahal at mid-on. The batsmen then tried to steal a single but Chahal reached the ball quickly and effected a direct hit, while falling on the ground. He was then captured laughing on the ground and that is when skipper Virat Kohli, who was fielding in the covers, joined him in celebrating the wicket.
Also Read: When ‘Gods’ fail, they hide behind wall: Wishes pour in on Dravid’s b’day
{{/usCountry}}Also Read: When ‘Gods’ fail, they hide behind wall: Wishes pour in on Dravid’s b’day
{{/usCountry}}After losing the toss, India skipper Virat Kohli spoke about the need to do well after batting first. The reason was India’s dismal record while defending. From the start of 2019 till before this match, India had won just three and lost five while bowling second. On Friday however, that wasn’t the case as India rode early strikes by Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur and Navdeep Saini to record a comprehensive win over Sri Lanka and clinch the three match T20I series 2-0.
Chasing a target of 202, Sri Lanka’s chase was effectively over in the Powerplay after being reduced to 31/4. A 68-run stand for the fifth wicket between Angelo Mathews (31) and Dhananjaya de Silva (57) briefly raised Sri Lanka hopes.
Also Read: Virat Kohli shatters Ricky Ponting’s world record in 3rd T20I
But Mathews got carried away after hitting Sundar for a six off the first ball of 12th over, holing out at mid-on a ball later. That ended any hope Sri Lanka had harboured of mounting a dramatic comeback. The batsmen who followed didn’t put up much of a fight as their innings was folded in 15.5 overs.