Deepak Chahar, India’s bowler, batted brilliantly under pressure to lead India to a three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday. Suryakumar Yadav was the other hero, contributing 53 runs to India’s 2-0 victory in the three-match series.
Deepak Chahar (69) hit a blistering fifty and put together an unbeaten 84-run stand with Bhuvneshwar Kumar (19) to help India win the second ODI after the visitors were reduced to 193/7. In their pursuit, India was down and almost out, but Deepak Chahar ensured India’s victory in the final over.
“It was hot there, we did well there. Got two wickets. We managed to stop them at 270. It was a decent score to chase on this wicket. Only one thing that was going on in my mind: this is the kind of innings I’ve been dreaming of. No better way to win the match for the country. Rahul sir told me to play all the balls,” Deepak Chahar said after the match.
India got off to a flying start in pursuit of 276 runs, but were quickly put on the back foot when opener Prithvi Shaw and Ishan Kishan both fell in quick succession, reducing the visitors to 39/2. Shikhar Dhawan and Manish Pandey put on a 26-run stand in the 12th over, but Wanindu Hasaranga trapped the opener in front of the stumps.
India got off to a flying start in pursuit of 276 runs, but were quickly put on the back foot when opener Prithvi Shaw and Ishan Kishan both fell in quick succession, reducing the visitors to 39/2.
India were in trouble after losing Hardik and Krunal Pandya before Deepak Chahar saved the visitors’ innings. Chahar, along with vice-captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar, smashed a stunning fifty to help India get near to the mark. India won the series 2-0 with one match remaining, thanks to Chahar and Bhuvneshwar.
Sri Lanka were struggling at 194/6 before Asalanka’s brave fifty and Karunaratne’s late cameo propelled them past the 250-run mark. Deepak Chahar supported up Chahal and Bhuvneshwar by taking two wickets for India. Sri Lanka got off to a good start, scoring 59 runs in the opening ten overs. Sri Lanka got off to a good start with openers Minod Bhanuka (36) and Avishka Fernando (50). Yuzvendra Chahal’s double strikes in the 14th over, though, placed the hosts on the back foot.
Chahal took the wickets of opener Bhanuka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa in quick succession to put India in control. Sri Lanka ticked the scoreboard with Asalanka’s courageous fifty, as the hosts reached 244 before he was dismissed. Despite losing two wickets in the final six deliveries, Sri Lanka managed 23 runs in the final two overs to reach 275.
