Well, India had a dismal campaign, and it ends in a similar fashion! They just couldn't adapt to the format and the seniors who took part, lacked a little of that bowling muscle! For Sri Lanka a lot to look forward to as they play the 'Bowl Final' in a while against UAE!
On this note, I, Manan Mehta would like to sign off on behalf of my co-commentator Deepak Prakash and the scorer/analyst Yogesh Kumar! TATA!!!
9:32 AM IST, 12:02 PM Local Time: Another disappointing outing for India as they slump to a heavy 48-run defeat against Sri Lanka. It turned out to be a forgettable tournament for India, who began with a win against Pakistan but lost their next four games to finish on a disappointing note. On the other hand, Sri Lanka remained unbeaten in the Bowl stage, winning all three matches, and will face UAE — who finished second — in the Bowl final.
Earlier, after being invited to bat first, Sri Lankan openers Lahiru Samarakoon (52) and Lahiru Madushanka (52) went all guns blazing right from the outset. Both retired after reaching their respective fifties, as per the tournament rule that requires a batter to retire upon scoring fifty. Sachitha Jayathilake (16* off 5) and Dhananjaya Lakshan (10* off 2) carried the momentum forward, powering Sri Lanka to a massive 138/0 in six overs. India, meanwhile, failed to claim a single wicket in the innings. Chasing a massive target of 139, India could only manage 90/3 in their allotted 6 overs, falling short by 48 runs against Sri Lanka. Bharath Chipli led the chase with a fiery 41 off 13 balls, smashing 4 fours and 4 sixes, while captain Stuart Binny provided some resistance with an unbeaten 25 off 9 deliveries. However, the rest of the batters couldn’t keep up with the asking rate as Sri Lankan bowlers kept things under control. For Sri Lanka, Lahiru Samarakoon and Lahiru Madushanka starred with the ball, claiming two and one wickets, respectively.
OVER 6
India Sixes
90/3
Stuart Binny
25(9)
Abhimanyu Mithun
5(5)
Lahiru Samarakoon
2-20(2.0)
5.6 L Samarakoon to S Binny
6 MUSCLED!!! Length ball on the stumps, Binny nails this ball that sits up well for him over the mid wicket fence! So, India ends their innings with a six but still fall short of Sri Lanka's total! Sri Lanka win and boss the contest by 48 runs!
5.5 L Samarakoon to S Binny
4 Full ball outside off stump, Binny swings hard and gets an outside edge that races away to the boundary at third man!
5.4 L Samarakoon to S Binny
4 Full ball outside off stump, slower delivery! Binny loses one hand off the bat in attempt to hoic it! Still gets a boundary at mid wicket!
5.3 L Samarakoon to A Mithun
1 Full ball again on off stump, Mithun pushes it to long off for a single! Cannot get underneath it!
5.2 L Samarakoon to A Mithun
0 Slower ball, fuller and outside off stump, Mithun too early with the swing and misses it!