Former Indian skipper Virender Sehwag feels that Team India was unlucky in their Asia Cup 2022 encounter against Sri Lanka in Dubai. He said that had Rishabh Pant effected that run-out in the last over they could’ve put Sri Lanka under tremendous pressure.
“MS Dhoni ran out a lot of batters in such situations,” Sehwag says luck wasn’t in favour of India
Things turned bad from worse for India as they suffered a disappointing 6-wicket loss against Sri Lanka in their second game of the Super 4 stage. The loss against the island nation dented their chances and they now are dependent on other teams.
Asked to bat first, India lost quick wickets but skipper Rohit Sharma stood tall for his side and smashed 72 runs to help his side post a total of 173 runs on board. India then tried hard with the ball but the Sri Lankan openers didn’t give them leeway and smashed 97 runs for the partnership.
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Chahal then brought India back into the game with three wickets and the match went down to the last over with Sri Lanka needing 7 runs. Arshdeep was given the responsibility and he yet again did a fantastic match as he dragged the match till the second last ball.
With two runs needed off two balls, Arshdeep bowed a short delivery that was missed by Dasun Shanaka. The batters attempted a bye and Rishabh Pant had all three stumps in front of him to hit but he missed and eventually game went in Sri Lanka’s favour.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Sehwag talked about the missed opportunity and said:
“India were unlucky as Pant missed that run out with two runs needed off two balls. If he had hit the stumps, a new batsman would have been at the crease and with two needed off one balls, India had a chance. They could have put Sri Lanka under greater pressure. MS Dhoni ran out a lot of batters in such situations. Maybe luck just wasn’t with India.”
“Dasun Shanaka’s knock won the game for Sri Lanka,” Virender Sehwag lauds Sri Lanka skipper
After Sri Lanka lost three quick wickets they were put under tremendous pressure and it seemed that would suffer a defeat. But skipper Shanaka stood tall for his side and played a sensational inning to guide his team home and almost book a place in the final.
India's Qualification scenario for the Final of Asia Cup:
Advertisement– Afghanistan beat Pakistan.
– India beat Afghanistan.
– Sri Lanka beat Pakistan.
– NRR should be greater than Afghanistan and Pakistan.— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 6, 2022
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Sehwag lauded the Sri Lanka skipper for his knock and said:
“Dasun Shanaka’s knock won the game for Sri Lanka. If he had scored 33 off 27-28 balls, the game would have been beyond their reach. They (Shanaka and Rajapaksa) hit boundaries with ease.”
For India to qualify now, they now need to win the game against Afghanistan and Pakistan should lose both their matches. In that case, they also need to have NRR higher than Afghanistan and Pakistan.
