India are currently locking horns against Sri Lanka in the second T20 international on Thursday at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Thursday. Indian captain, Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka got the team off to a great start in the powerplay. The duo added 80 runs for the first wicket in just 8 overs. Chahal eventually broke the partnership in the ninth over and brought India back into the game.
Sri Lanka, however, kept scoring runs aggressively but it was Umran Malik, who picked the vital wickets and denied Sri Lanka of keeping up with the pace. In the 10th over, Umran Malik gave no room to Rajapaksa who got chopped onto the stumps while trying to guide the ball to the third man region.
Charith Asalanka was looking dangerous for his knock of 37 in 19 deliveries. But Umran Malik, once again, came to the team’s rescue. He bowled a length ball and Asalanka could only smash the ball straight into the hands of Shubman Gill.
Sri Lanka needed a partnership but on the very next ball, Umran rattled the stumps of Hasaranga with an absolute beauty of a delivery. Fans are in all praise for Malik, following his expectional spell. Here’s a look at some of the reactions:
Umran Malik is a star in the making, he will be brining in crowds to games in India when this generation of champion batters exit the stage. Pace like fire! Now I know why Pace is Pace Yaar! #cricket #INDvsSL #INDvSL
— Chandresh Narayanan (@chand2579) January 5, 2023
On a hattrick #UmranMalik
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 5, 2023
Something primal and edgy about a fast bowler in flow. #UmranMalik
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 5, 2023
Umran Malik is on ???. No better sight in world cricket than a fast bowler steaming in and disturbing the timber ?
Screengrab courtesy: Hotstar #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/m4AZNyiWEq
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 5, 2023
You knew Umran Malik was special when the legend Steyn went gaga over him.
"I am living through him. I'm wishing I could be him" – Steyn on Umran Malik during the IPL.
Top game for him despite the expensive last over.#umranmalik #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/FBiBsWx7Ro
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) January 5, 2023
Watching Umran Malik bowl is a joy! #INDvSL
pic.twitter.com/9iuWebfGvt— Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) January 5, 2023
shoaib akhtar Record Jald thody ga ?
— Usman Aryan (@UsmanAryana) January 5, 2023
Best T20I bowler of India currently
— Ritik (@themeforyou) January 5, 2023
Believe me he'll break the record of fastest bowl ever.
— Yash Godara (@iamyashgodara77) January 5, 2023
2 in 2 for Umran Malik, What a bowler.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 5, 2023
Umran Malik is a work in progress and he is getting better, absolute joy. #INDvSL #SportsYaari
— Manoj Dimri (@manoj_dimri) January 5, 2023
Sri Lanka, however, recovered pretty well and, in fact, went on to score 206 runs in the first innings. Dasun Shanaka turned the match around with an unbelievable knock of 56 runs in just 22 balls, including 2 fours and 6 sixes. Courtesy of his brilliant knock, Sri Lanka reached a daunting score on the board. Making his comeback, Arshdeep Singh endured a forgettable outing with the ball. He conceded 37 runs in just 2 overs.
India bowled as many as 7 no balls and conceded 34 runs from that. It will be interesting to see if India manage to chase down the score and win the game, eventually.
