Kuldeep Yadav shows tremendous situational awareness to dismiss Kusal Mendis

Rookie Chinaman bowler, Kuldeep Yadav, displayed a great presence of mind as he dismissed the danger man for Sri Lanka, Kusal Mendis, thanks to a run-out opportunity he created while backing up a throw from Ashwin. The incident occurred during Sri Lanka’s reply in the first innings against India during the Third test match at Pallekele.

After reducing the Indians to a score of 339-7, the Lankans conceded as many as 487 by the end of India’s efforts in the first innings. In reply, Sri Lankans were reduced to 23-2, losing their openers to the swing and pace of Mohammad Shami, who was in the middle of an unplayable spell as he removed Tharanga and Karunaratne. Slowly but steadily Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis tried to negotiate with the Indian attack by forging a partnership.

Mendis was the danger man for Sri Lanka as far as the Indians were concerned especially looking at his escapades in the second innings in Colombo. Lankans were placed at 38-2 with Shami bowling with the new ball in the ninth over of innings. Chandimal clipped a full ball on his pads, wide of mid-on, fifth ball of the over.

The man placed at mid on was India’s ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who is not renowned for his acrobatic abilities. However, he lunged to his right and stopped the ball, to the surprise of Chandimal, who already made a start towards the other end.

Looking at the stop made by Ashwin, Chandimal declined the run Mendis was trying to steal off Ashwin who was gathering himself for a throw at the non-striker end. Kusal Mendis almost completed half a run only to be sent back by his captain. Ashwin gathered himself and threw the ball at Shami who was struggling to get back to the wickets from his follow through.

Ashwin eventually threw the ball to the wrong side of Shami as the ball passed by him. Shami was looking down in disappointment while Kuldeep Yadav, gathered the ball at Short cover and hit the wickets with a bullet throw, perilously close to Shami.

Watch the Video here

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— Yograj Singh (@Cricvids1) August 13, 2017