“We were really poor in all three departments”: Dasun Shanaka

Onecricket

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka, after a crushing defeat in the first T20I against India, said that they were in all three departments. The match saw the visitors facing a devastating defeat at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Thursday (24 February 2022). 


Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer smashed half-centuries to take India to 199 for the loss of two wickets. The Player of the Match, Ishan Kishan hit a 56-ball 89, meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer raced to an unbeaten 57 off just 28 deliveries. Rohit Sharma’s 44 off 32 was another major contribution during India’s innings. 


A combined bowling performance from India later then beat the Islanders by 62 runs as the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the T20I series. Charith Asalanka’s unbeaten 53 also could not save his side from the loss albeit. 


In the post-match presentation, the Sri Lanka captain said, “We were really poor in all three departments. They batted beautifully, read the game and conditions really well. I could have bowled more. We are without two frontline spinners, Theekshana and Hasaranga.”


The pace-bowling all-rounder further added, “The replacements aren’t really experienced. Asalanka was positive from this game. Chameera is bowling beautifully. He is our main strike bowler but the situations didn’t allow me to bowl him longer.”


Rohit Sharma, on the other hand, spoke about Ishan Kishan’s outstanding knock. The southpaw has played under the captaincy of Sharma in the Indian Premier League for Mumbai Indians over the years. 


Sharma mentioned, “I know Ishan for a long time now. I know the mindset he has. I know the ability he has as well. It was just about getting the kind of game that he had today. It was so pleasing to watch from the other end. The way he constructed the innings was so good, that is usually a challenge for him.”


After the first T20I, the caravan now moves to Dharmanshala for the remaining two matches of the limited-overs series, scheduled for February 26 and 27 before the two-match Test series began on March 4, 2022.  

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