Pradeep’s six-for only Lankan hurrah
The Galle Test between Sri Lanka and India has provided very little cheer to Rangana Herath’s team. India’s batsmen, led by Shikhar Dhawan (190) and Cheteshwar Pujara (153) demoralised the Sri Lankan bowlers. Ajinkya Rahane’s 12th fifty and an attacking half-century on debut by Hardik Pandya helped India to 600, the highest first innings score by an away team in Tests in Sri Lanka. Amidst all the carnage, one player has stood tall.
Nuwan Pradeep gave Sri Lanka something to smile as he picked up 6/132, his maiden fivewicket haul. The right-arm pacer was the only bowler who made India’s top order think with great line, length and pace.
Pradeep made an impact on the first day when he removed Abhinav Mukund, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli. His dismissal of the Indian skipper was well planned as he cramped Kohli up with a short ball on leg stump. On Day 2, Pradeep continued to hit the right lengths and areas. Cheteshwar Pujara, who had scored his fourth 150plus score, was dismissed by a good length ball that straightened outside off and the batsman could only edge it to the wicketkeeper, Niroshan Dickwella.
The Sri Lankan pacer continued to bowl a mix of full and short balls and he got his fifth wicket when Ravichandran Ashwin gloved a short ball and picked up his sixth wicket with a perfect yorker to Ravindra Jadeja. Although Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Shami ruined his figures towards the end, Pradeep’s effort of 6/132 was his best bowling effort in his career and it represented the only bright spot for what has been a forgettable Test for Sri Lanka, so far.
Pradeep’s 24-Test career has witnessed ups and downs. Before he even played a Test, he was laid low by injuries that forced him to miss tours to England and South Africa. After his debut, Pradeep had a rough start when he picked up only one wicket in five Tests over three years.
However, during Sri Lanka’s tour to England in 2014, Pradeep found consistency and played a vital role in the Test series win. During the India series in 2015, he picked up eight wickets in two Tests.