Twitter Reactions: Irfan Pathan's 57-run blitzkrieg takes India Legends home from the jaws of defeat

The former Indian all-rounder played a breathtaking knock as India defeated Sri Lanka from the jaws of defeat.

By Anuraag Peesara

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Irfan Pathan
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Irfan Pathan. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Almost 11 years after Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan stunned Sri Lanka in Colombo with that partnership, the younger of the Pathan brothers showcased similar magic against the same opponent at the DY Patil Stadium. Having lost the top order cheaply, the Indian side was in deep trouble chasing 139 runs, but Irfan Pathan’s blinder of an innings helped India go past the winning line with 8 balls to spare.

The Lankans got off to a cautious start and they found it difficult to get hold of the Indian pacers. The likes of Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan, and Manpreet Gony kept it tight up front as the runs came at snail-pace. The urge to up the scoring rate eventually earned India their first wicket of the game, as Munaf Patel dismissed skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan and another wicket followed in the next over, with Irfan Pathan trapping Kaluwitharana in front of the stumps.

Marvan Atapattu edged one straight to the keeper in the 10th over as Sri Lanka lost three in three overs. Runs dried up further with Thilan Thushara swinging and missing quite a few deliveries. Chamara Kapugedara and Senanayake got hold of a few as their innings completed three quarters. Munaf Patel did some major damage towards the end, picking up three wickets in the death.

Sri Lanka looked in deep trouble, with momentum completely shifting towards the Indian side, but Rangana Herath had something unexpected in the store. He smashed three boundaries of the last three balls of the Lankan innings, which took Zaheer by a surprise. Sri Lanka finished with 138 runs on the board for the loss of 8 wickets, with Munaf Patel registering figures of 4/19 for the Indian legends.

Kaif stands tall after a top-order collapse; Pathan comes in and steals the show

Much to the disappointment of a huge turn-out in Navi Mumbai, Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed in the very first over. One of his old nemesis in Chaminda Vaas had the final laugh and Virender Sehwag followed his opening partner soon, who ran himself out in a comical turn of events. Vaas picked up another wicket in his second over, dismissing the dangerous Yuvraj Singh. The southpaw went for a cross-batted heave, which took a top-edge and keeper Kaluwitharana made no mistake.

At this precarious juncture, Kaif took the mantle upon himself alongside India’s former batting coach Sanjay Bangar. The duo batted sensibly, lashing out at the odd wayward delivery. They added 43 crucial runs for the fourth wicket, which set the tone beautifully for Irfan Pathan to take over. Before his blitz started, Kaif was dismissed for a well-compiled 46 off 45 deliveries.

At a time when the situation was going slightly out of control for the Indians, Pathan smashed a boundary and a six in the 16th over and kick-started his counter. He then collected 16 runs off the first three balls in Maharoof’s 18th over and that over finished with a six from the bat of Manpreet Gony.

Pathan finished the game in breathtaking fashion, smacking three boundaries in the 19th over with just 13 runs to get. With a single towards long-on, he won the game for the Indian legends with 8 balls to spare. Chaminda Vaas rolled back the clock with a vintage performance in the opening overs, registering figures of 2/5 in 3 overs.

Here’s what Twitter had to say after this enthralling contest:

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