Indian speedster Shardul Thakur, whose career-best figure of 4 wickets for 27 runs helped men in blue registered comfortable win over Sri Lanka in the Nidahas Trophy 2018 tri-series encounter at the R Premadasa stadium on Monday. Shardul has said regular wickets in the death overs ensured the hosts were restricted to a below-par score on a good batting track.  

Speaking in the post-match press conference, Indian speedster Thakur said, “The way Sri Lanka was going, they looked good for 165-170. However, we got Sri Lanka veteran batsmen Upul Tharanga out. He was looking to go hard at our bowlers. Then Thisara Perera came and hit a couple of boundaries. I got him out and then those crucial two-three wickets restricted them. I would say they were 20-25 runs short.”

Sri Lanka were at 108 runs for 3 wickets in 12 overs looked good for a big score. But, the dismissal of the dangerous Perera for 15 and with Yuzvendra Chahal getting rid of in-form batsmen Kusal Mendis for 55, Sri Lanka managed just 45 runs in the next seven overs for loss of 6 wickets.

Indian speedster Thakur’s haul of 4/27 was sweet revenge against the host. In the opening encounter against the hosts, he was hit for 27 runs in his first over and although he pulled things back later in the game, the early assault had ensured Sri Lanka snapped their seven-game losing streak in Twenty20s against India. India will take on Bangladesh on March 14 and a win for Rohit’s side will seal their spot in the final.