Asitha Fernando is quickly making a name for herself with her lively celebrations. The Sri Lankan pacer was all over social media after celebrating Suryakumar Yadav’s dismissal with a “crotch punch” during the third T20I at Pallekele earlier this week.
On Friday (August 2), he again grabbed attention with his celebration during the first ODI against India at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. In the third over of India’s innings, he brought out his trademark ‘crotch-clash’ celebration after India captain Rohit Sharma was out lbw on his delivery.
However, the right-arm spinner was left red-faced when Rohit reviewed the decision and replays showed that the ball went over the stumps. As a result, the decision was overturned. Asitha Fernando went wicketless in her first four overs before finally taking her first wicket in her fifth over.
On the second ball of the 25th over, he castled Shreyas Iyer with a brilliant delivery. The ball moved sharply backwards and Shreyas Iyer had no idea how to handle it. The Indian star was bowled through the gate as the ball sailed through the bat and pads before hitting the top of the outside stump.
And as soon as Iyer was bowled out, Asitha Fernando came up with a new celebration. She celebrated the decisive wicket by putting her finger on her lips.
Watch Asitha Fernando’s celebration:
image.twitter.com/G8ChpehGYB
— Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (@Hanji_CricDekho) August 2, 2024
Iyer left after scoring 23 runs per ball in his first match for Team India since February this year. Talking about the game, India were 162/5 in the 35th over at the time of writing this report. KL Rahul and Axar Patel were batting in the middle for the visitors.
Chasing 231, India got off to a blistering start thanks to Rohit’s superb fifty. The captain scored 58 runs off just 47 balls and shared a 75-run stand with Shubman Gill for the first wicket before both departed in quick succession to leave India 2 down for 80.
The likes of Virat Kohli (24) and Iyer (23) started but failed to capitalise on it, while Washington Sundar could only score 5 as Sri Lanka reduced India to 132 for 5 to get back into the game. Early in the match, the hosts finished their innings on 230/8, with Pathum Nissanka and Dunith Wellalage scoring half-centuries.
