The 5th match of the tri-series between the Indian visually impaired team and the Sri Lankan visually impaired team gave the spectators a thrilling end as India snatched a famous victory by one run.
The GCA stadium in Goa hosted the first of its exhilarating matches between Sri Lanka and India this afternoon (10th October) with Sri Lanka coming into the game as favorites. Sri Lankan captain Priyantha Kumara opted to put India on the hot seat by bowling first. The Indian opening pair were quite disciplined in their batting approach as wicketkeeper batsmen Jayaramaiah and Muhudkar gave the hosts a solid start. Sri Lankan bowler Saman Thushara finally broke through the defense of Jayaramaiah while the score was on 51.
Deshapriya leads Sri Lanka visually impaired team to victory
Thushara did not stop there as he picked another crucial wicket the very next delivery. The 4th wicket partnership between A Reddy and S Ramesh proved to be a decisive factor in the innings as the pair took India to a colossal total of 192. S Ramesh top scored with a spirited 64 which consisted of 10 fours. Reddy was not out on 44. In the bowling department Saman Thushara ended up with figures of 2/30 for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka visually impaired team to tour India
Chasing a target of 193 Sri Lanka were off to a sturdy start. The opening pair of Suriyarachchi and Saman Kumara posted 43 runs for the opening partnership before Suriyarachchi was trapped lbw playing across the line. Things did not get better as well set batsmen Saman Kumara ran himself out for 36. It seemed like the confusion in running between the wickets continued as three Lankan batsmen were run out in the space of two overs.
Sri Lankan skipper and wicketkeeper batsman’s late rush of runs seemed like the Lankans were back in the game but unfortunately he was another victim of poor running between the wickets. The Indian bowlers stuck to their basics by eliminating the possibility for the Lankan tail enders to score any runs.
The final over was something for any cricket lover to savor. Sri Lanka needing 11 runs off the final 6 balls scored two back to back boundaries off the bowling of Reddy. With the pressure back on India it seemed like Sri Lanka were closing onto a famous victory. But a calm and composed Reddy gave away just a single run in the next four balls as India cruised to victory. The Sri Lankan innings consisted of six run outs.
Indian batsmen S Ramesh was named Man of the Match for his impeccable performance with the bat. Sri Lanka will face England tomorrow in their final match.
Brief scores
India 192/5 (20 overs) : S Ramesh 64, G Muhudkar 31, A Reddy 44* ,Saman Thushara 2/30, Saman Kumara 1/20
Vs
Sri Lanka 191/9 (20 overs) Priyantha Kumara 43, Saman Kumara 36, Dinesh Mathugama 35, D Malik 1/16
