During the second ODI of Sri Lanka’s tour of India 2023 in Kolkata, India beat Sri Lanka by 4 wickets to attain an unassailable 2-0 lead in a three-match series.
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A match not worthy of being played at the iconic Eden Gardens witnessed India sealing a 216-run chase in the 44th over on the back of KL Rahul’s 12th ODI half-century.
Rahul, 30, continuing his supreme form as a middle-order wicket-keeper batter saw him taking all the time in the world to score 64* (103) with the help of six fours. With his strike rate of 62.13 not affecting the team in any manner, one has to give it to Rahul for holding one end in a run-chase which could have easily worked against India considering how they lost wickets throughout the innings.
IND vs SL 2nd ODI Man of the Match
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka’s decision of opting to bat first was justified by their top-order comprising Avishka Fernando (20), Nuwanidu Fernando (50) and Kusal Mendis (34). However, the visitors losing nine wickets for 114 runs found them getting bundled out for 215 in 39.4 overs.
India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj was the pick of their bowlers with figures of 5.4-0-30-3. In addition to picking the first wicket in the form of Avishka Fernando, Siraj also picked the last two wickets of Dunith Wellalage (32) and Lahiru Kumara (0).
Playing his first match of the series, spinner Kuldeep Yadav also picked three wickets for 53 runs in his 10-over spell. The 28-year old player sent the likes of Kusal Mendis (34), Charith Asalanka (15) and Dasun Shanaka (2) back to the pavilions to run through the Sri Lankan middle-order. Deceiving specialist batters at will, Yadav was at top of his game at the Eden Gardens today.
Having won a match award in his last international match, Yadav has now won two in a row albeit in different formats. Fourth such award for the 28-year old bowler in this format, readers must note that he has been adjudged Player of the Match thrice in his last four matches for India.
“I am happy with my performance. Since the last one year, I have been trying to back my strength and not think much. Whenever I get my chance, I just think about performing well. I am enjoying my bowling a lot,” Yadav told Star Sports during the post-match presentation ceremony.
