A NORMAL DAY AT WORK

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue – Eden Gardens, Kolkata [November 16-20, 2017].

In the winter of 2017, the Sri Lankan cricket team toured India to play 3 test matches, 3 ODIs and 3 T20 internationals. It is pertinent to note that the Lankans were badly whitewashed by Indians a couple of months ago in their own backyard. As a result, they were fired up to avenge the defeat. The first test of the series took place in the City of Joy – Kolkata. Unfortunately, the match got interrupted by multiple rain breaks. However, even in the limited time, the game was nothing short of thrill and entertainment.

Sri Lankan Captain Dinesh Chandimal won the toss and decided to field first. The decision turned out to be a masterstroke, as the hosts were bundled out for just 172 runs in their first innings. To everyone's surprise, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli was dismissed for a duck. After all, he was in the form of his life. Something which no one could imagine. Except for Pujara, no Indian batsman was able to cross the 50-run mark. For visitors, Suranga Lakmal was the leading wicket taker, as he picked up 4 wickets for just 26 runs. 

In response, the visitors scored 294 runs in their first innings, which looked like a decent score on the spicy Kolkata wicket. The hosts were now supposed to bat sensibly on Day 5 so that they could save the test. However, what happened next was something truly unbelievable. Captain Kohli led from the front as he scored a quickfire 104* off just 119 deliveries. It was simply one of the best test knocks played in an extremely tense situation. Not only did Kohli rescue his team, but he also played his shots when required. It was indeed a masterclass by the King himself. The failure of the first innings was well and truly buried. Apart from Kohli, Rahul and Dhawan also scored important half-centuries, as Sri Lankans were now required to score 231 runs to win the test as Indians declared a competitive score of 352/8. 

It was almost certain that the target could not be chased, and the visitors just needed to survive the final session. However, Bhuvneshwar Kumar produced a sensational spell which sparked life in a lifeless game. It was quite lucky on the part of the visitors that the game could go on for just 26.3 overs. The match finally ended in a draw as the Sri Lankan scorecard read 75/7.

It was indeed a normal day at work, as the visiting team was fighting for their survival instead of securing a win.

Good old days when we used to dominate at home. 

To watch the Innings of Virat Kohli, Click Here.