Twitter Reactions: Dasun Shanaka slams 73 as Dambulla Viiking win the rain marred encounter in LPL

Samit Patel was also the hero for the Dambulla side.

By Tanvir Sahni

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Samit Patel
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Samit Patel. (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

After a couple of brilliant matches to start the tournament, it was time for the first double header on Saturday in Lanka Premier League (LPL). The first game was between the Kandy Tuskers and the Dambulla Viiking. The former were playing their second match after losing their first encounter against the Colombo Kings.

They won the toss and opted to bowl first. Dambulla got off to a good start as they scored 53 runs in the powerplay without losing any wicket. However, Oshada Fernando had to retire due to an ankle injury. Both the set batsmen lost their wicket soon after the powerplay.

However, the loss of these wickets was probably a blessing in disguise for the Dambulla side. The two batsmen at the crease were Samit Patel and Dasun Shanaka. What unfolded then was something none of the teams would have expected.

The duo combined to score 127 runs together stand in just 10.4 overs. The former scored 58 runs off just 38 balls while the latter scored 73 in just 37 balls. Shanaka definitely played a captain’s knock and showed a glimpse of his talent to the entire world. Their partnership helped the side reach 195 runs at the end of their 20 overs.

Rain interruptions cause Tuskers to lose

A chase of 196 was tough but not impossible. Tuskers had the batting to chase down this total. Though they lost a couple of early wickets they were well on track as they neared the end of half their inning. However, rain played spoilsport for the Tuskers as it arrived at the worst possible time.

The DLS par score at the end of 9.4 overs was 88 while the Tuskers had managed to score only 84 until then. Kusal Mendis was batting well and Asela Gunaratne had just come to the crease. The match was in the balance at that time. However, once the rain came in, it ensured that no more overs could be bowled.

Tuskers eventually lost the match by 4 runs and would definitely consider themselves very unlucky. This is now their second loss in a row and they would need to turn things around quickly in order to make it to the top four.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

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Lanka Premier League 2023Sri LankaDambulla SixersKandy Falcons