Wickets in death overs choked Lanka: Shardul
COLOMBO: Shardul Thakur, whose career-best haul of 4/27 helped India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets on Monday, said regular wickets in the death overs ensured the hosts were restricted to a below-par score on a good batting track. “The way Sri Lanka were going, they looked good for 165-170. However, we got Upul Tharanga. He was looking to go hard at our bowlers. Then, Thisara Perera came and hit a couple of boundaries. I got him out and then those crucial two-three wickets restricted them. I would say they were 20-25 runs short,” said Thakur.
At 108/3 in 12 overs, Sri Lanka looked good for a big score but the dismissal of the dangerous Perera for 15 and Yuzvendra Chahal getting rid of Kusal Mendis for 55, Sri Lanka managed just 45 in the next seven overs.
SWEET REVENGE
Thakur’s haul was sweet revenge against Sri Lanka. In the first game against the hosts, he was hit for 27 runs in his first over and although he pulled things back, the early assault ensured Sri Lanka snapped their seven-game losing streak in T20s against India.
EYE OPENER
The 26-year-old called the first game an eye-opener. “In T20 cricket, you have to be ready for surprises. The first game was an eye-opener.
“I got hit for 27 runs and there were some other bowlers who went for 15 runs in one over. Against Bangladesh and in this game, we executed our plans better,” said Thakur.
The Mumbai pacer praised Washington Sundar, who again bowled economically in the power-play overs and struck at crucial times.
“He has got good variation and tries to spin the ball. It is amazing to see his variations and that is the key,” he said.