Team India started the second One Day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka with a bang as pacer Mohammed Siraj delivered a sensational first-ball wicket. Siraj, who has built a reputation for his impressive performances against Sri Lanka, once again proved his mettle by dismissing opener Pathum Nissanka for a golden duck on the very first delivery of the match.
The delivery from Siraj was a beautifully pitched good length ball that moved away just enough to catch the edge of Nissanka’s bat. Wicketkeeper KL Rahul, showing sharp reflexes, took a comfortable catch behind the stumps, sending Nissanka back to the pavilion without scoring. This early breakthrough gave India a significant boost right at the start of the match.
This dismissal adds to Siraj’s growing legacy against the Sri Lankan team. In the previous match, Siraj also took the first wicket and finished with figures of 1/36 from his eight overs. The first ODI, which ended in a dramatic tie after India failed to chase just one run with two wickets in hand, left Siraj devastated as he was stranded at the non-striker’s end when the final wicket fell.
Siraj’s dominance over Sri Lanka is well-documented. His most memorable performance came in the 2023 Asia Cup final, where he tore through the Lankan batting lineup with a six-wicket haul, including an astonishing four wickets in a single over. He continued his form in the 2023 World Cup, where he claimed three crucial wickets against Sri Lanka.
In today’s match, following the early dismissal, Sri Lanka’s batting order will be under pressure to recover and post a competitive total against a fired-up Indian bowling attack. The Indian team, led by captain Rohit Sharma, will be keen to capitalize on this early advantage and put themselves in a strong position to win the match and gain momentum in the series.
The second ODI promises to be an exciting encounter, with fans eagerly watching to see if Sri Lanka can bounce back from the early setback or if India can continue to dominate with their bowling prowess.
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