What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
MUMBAI: Sri Lanka, the nation, is in the doldrums. On Monday, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped down amid a growing economic meltdown. His resignation has thrown the country into a state of civil war as the people are setting the homes of ministers on fire. The scarcity of food and escalating inflation has torn the nation asunder.
Amid this widespread gloom, there are a few Sri Lankan cricketers who are showing incredible resolve and performing exceedingly well in the Indian Premier League 2022.
Wanindu Hasaranga: Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, the right-arm spinner has already chalked up 21 wickets in 12 matches. He’s the second-highest wicket-taker in the Indian Premier League 2022 at present after Yuzvendra Chahal.
Hasaranga is quick through the air and has creditable accuracy which makes it exceedingly difficult for batsmen to come down the track against him or to take him to the cleaners. He also has the ability to vary his pace smartly and perplex batsmen in flight. Googly is another potent weapon in his armoury which he deploys with acumen.
Maheesh Theekshana: Though Chennai Super Kings have flattered to deceive, as a team, in the IPL 2022, their mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana has made a mark for himself by snaffling 12 scalps in 8 matches so far, including a four-wicket haul against Royal Challengers Bangalore. His economy rate, in a format dominated by batsmen, has also been under 8 which underlines his immense utility.
His biggest asset is the carrom-ball which skids sharply and catches unsuspecting bastmen off-guard.
Dushmantha Chameera: Picked up by the new franchise, Lucknow Super Giants, Dushmantha Chammera has been instrumental in their success in the tournament so far. He bowls with exuberant rhythm & energy and has the knack of picking up wickets in the Powrerplay. Though susceptible to going for runs in death overs, his ability to extract lateral movement with the new balls makes him a valuable asset in the T20 format.
Bhanuka Rajapaska: Though the left-hander Bhanuka Rajapaksa has not set the stage ablaze in the IPL 2022, he has unfurled a string of sprightly 30s and 40s which underline his batting prowess in the T20 format. His innings of 40 off just 28 balls against Gujarat Titans was especially highly impactful as it set the stage for Punjab Kings to chase down 144 at a canter.
Batting at no.3, he also creamed 42 off 32 balls against Chennai Kings which in the end became the difference between the two teams. Also, he reeled off a tubthumping 43, which included four gargantuan sixes, against Royal Challengers Bangalore and helped his team leapfrog a mammoth target of 205. More than runs, his impact has been tremendous.
