IND vs SL: Chris Silverwood endorses Dasun Shanaka for an IPL contract

Dasun Shanaka scored an unbeaten 108 in the first ODI

Dasun Shanaka played one of the most enthralling innings played in a dying state against India in India when he notched a century in the first ODI in Guwahati on Tuesday.

To everyone's surprise, it wasn't a fluke as the Sri Lanka captain has been consistently playing such knocks on this tour of India. 

In the T20Is, Shanaka scored 124 runs from three matches at an average of 62.00 and his strike rate was 187.87, including his fifty off just 20 balls - which is the fastest for Sri Lanka in the format. Coming to the ODIs, he registered a heart-winning century. 

However, the fast-bowling allrounder wasn't picked any Indian Premier League's franchise in the recently concluded mini-auction. Speaking in the defence of his captain, head coach Chris Silverwood endorsed and said: 

"I think he (Shanaka) has done himself a world of good," Silverwood said at the post-match media interaction here.

"He has put himself in the marketplace now. I am sure the (IPL) franchises will be looking at him and seeing how dynamic a cricketer he is. He is a great striker of the ball, so hopefully, he will get an opportunity."

In the latest ODI played, Pathum Nissanka also showed enough grit against the Men in Blue, where he scored 72 before getting dismissed by Umran Malik. Silverwood spoke highly of him.

"If you look, we had Pathum (Nissanka) also score runs today. We have seen over a period of time that each individual at times has put their hands up and been counted."

Shanaka and the rest of his mates will be in action on Thursday in the second ODI, after getting thrashing by Rohit Sharma and co. by 67 runs.

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