Gautam Gambhir had a brilliant reaction when Rinku Singh dismissed Kusal Perera in the recently concluded third T20I between India and Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav handed the ball to Rinku Singh to bowl in the 19th over when the game looked virtually out of reach for India as Sri Lanka needed just 9 runs from 12 balls. With Perera well placed at the crease, the win looked like a mere formality for the hosts.
However, Rinku Singh turned the match around with a brilliant 19th over. Bowling in a T20I for the first time in his career, Rinku not only bowled an economical over but also took two wickets, including that of Perera, who was batting on 46.
On the third ball of the over, Perera ended up missing his pull shot and Rinku caught his own delivery to get his first T20I wicket. And as soon as he completed the catch, the cameras panned towards the Indian dugout where head coach Gautam Gambhir had a brilliant reaction. The former India opener, who rarely smiles on the cricket field, couldn’t help but smile.
Watch Gautam Gambhir’s reaction:
– Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (@Hanji_CricDekho) July 30, 2024
Later in the over, Rinku struck again to dismiss Ramesh Mendis as well. He finished his over conceding just 3 runs and picking two wickets. In the final over, Suryakumar Yadav conceded 5 when Sri Lanka needed 6, as India managed to draw the game from a losing position.
In the big over, Washington Sundar put in a brilliant performance by picking up 2 wickets and conceding just 2 runs. Suryakumar then hit a four off the first ball to take India home.
Early in the match, Sri Lanka put in a good performance with their bowling and restricted the reigning world champions to a modest total of 137/9 in 20 overs. After Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and opted to bowl first, the bowlers fully justified the decision.
Sri Lanka picked up as many as four wickets inside the powerplay to put India on the back foot. The likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh and Suryakumar Yadav failed to impress with the bat as India were dragged to 30 for 4 in the sixth over. Shubman Gill (36), Riyan Parag (26) and Washington Sundar (25) helped India post a total of over 130.
