IND vs SL 2017, 3rd Test: Dinesh Chandimal Happy with Sri Lanka’s Batting Show after Nagpur Test
Dec 7, 2017 at 11:35 AM
IND vs SL 2017, 3rd Test: Really Happy With the Way We Batted After the Second Test – Dinesh Chandimal:
The way Sri Lanka had capitulated in the first two Tests, nobody would have really expected a tough fight from them let alone walking away with a draw after they finished the fourth day of the just-concluded third Test on 31 for three in pursuit of an improbable 410.
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The Islanders had lost seven wickets when they had to bat just over a session in the first Test and somehow managed to escape with a draw before being thrashed by an innings and 239 runs in the following Test.
However, the fifth day of the third Test saw a stunning fightback from the Islanders which would have given the team-management a lot of confidence about the future.
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The visitors had their back against the wall after their experienced all-rounder Angelo Mathews was controversially given out off a no ball for just one. However, it was not the precursor to the things that were to follow, as Sri Lanka came up with one of its best batting displays in recent times to register a confidence-boosting game.
The fightback began when Dhananjaya de Silva and skipper Dinesh Chandimal shared 112 runs for the fifth wicket before Ravichandran Ashwin castled the latter. It was followed by another gutsy partnership between de Silva and Roshen Silva. Sri Lanka dealt with a huge blow after de Silva was retired hurt following a brilliant 119-run knock.
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However Roshen and Niroshan Dickwella went on to share an unbeaten stand of 152 to help their team recover from an early collapse and register a convincing draw. Speaking after the game, Chandimal expressed his delight over the performance and credited a couple of practise sessions behind the batsmen’s fine show.
“Before the third Test, we had two practice sessions. When they went to bat out today, they executed what we had practised and delivered. I am really happy with the way we batted after the second Test,” he said.
“We got so many youngsters for this series, and we have a really good attitude. If that is there, the best result will come. If you have players with the bad attitude, you won’t get good results. That’s what I am looking at from this team. Attitude is good, and discipline is good, and I think I can move forward with this team,” he added.
Chandimal further said he was happy the way de Silva grabbed his opportunity after registering a 14-ball one in the first innings. He went on to admit it was tough leaving out under-performing Lahiru Thirimanne but was delighted with the batsmen’s response.
“It was a really good inning. We picked him after the Windies A team tour, and he played some good innings there we had to trust playing him at No. 3. He took his opportunity with both hands,” he said.
“It was tough to leave the vice-captain out. It’s a tough call. Dhananjaya and Roshen deserved to take the opportunities. Especially Roshen – he’s scored more than 6000 runs in domestic cricket. He has played in A team and scored heavily there as well. Both deserved their places. It’s unfortunate for Thirimanne,” he added.
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