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Sri Lanka Missed “Main Bowler” Isuru Udana Against India, Says Lasith Malinga
By Shruti - Jan 8, 2020 5:36 pm
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On Tuesday, Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga said that they missed their “main bowler” Isuru Udana in the game against India. He got injured during the warm-up just ahead of they went out to defend 143 in the second T20I against India in Indore on Tuesday. They lost by seven wickets as India started the series on a high and take 1-0 lead in the three-match series at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. The first match in Guwahati was called off without a ball being bowled due to heavy rain and damp pitch. The third, as well as, the final game of the series will be played in Pune on Friday.

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Lasith Malinga

“He’s (Udana) our main bowler and is very experienced in this format. He got injured just before we went out to bowl. He’s recovering now. We also need to give opportunities to the youngsters,” said Malinga at the post-match presentation ceremony. “We were around 25-30 runs short. We tried to bowl consistent line and length. The bowlers did well to drag the match till the 18th over.”

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India chased down the target with 15 balls remaining who chose to field after winning the toss. Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals which led them to the loss as well. India bowlers, especially Navdeep Saini has so far played eight T20Is and one ODI for India. He impressed everyone in his debut as well. For Sri Lanka, Kusal Perera was the highest scorer who scored 34 off 28 with 3 sixes. Apart from Saini, Shardul Thakur took a three-wicket haul that too conceding only 23 runs. Kuldeep Yadav picked up 2 wickets as well.

While chasing, India openers KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan got off to a flying start. The duo stitched a 71-run partnership before Rahul fell after scoring 45. However, Shikhar Dhawan scored 32, captain Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 17-ball 30 and Shreyas Iyer’s 26-ball 34 helped India to register a comfortable victory. Wanindu Hasaranga bagged 2 wickets while Lahiru Kumara took 1 for Sri Lanka.