Twitter Reactions: South Africa seal the T20I series despite Isuru Udana's incredible knock

It is high time that Sri Lanka rejig their batting order and bat Isuru Udana higher up the order. In whatever chances that he has got on this tour, he has proven that he is too good to be batting at number eight or nine. His unbeaten 84 off 48 balls in the 2nd T20I against South Africa failed to get his team over the line. Powered by great knocks from Rassie van der Dussen and Reeza Hendricks, South Africa won the match by 16 runs and bagged the series.

Rassie van der Dussen takes responsibility in the absence of Faf du Plessis

Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first at Centurion. South Africa lost the wicket of Aiden Markram early on in the game. However, Rassie van der Dussen and Reeza Hendricks stitched together a wonderful partnership. They piled up 116 runs together before the latter walked back to the pavilion after scoring 65 off 46 balls. This knock comes against the run of play for Hendricks as he has struggled to score runs thus far in this series.

Dussen, who was back at his usual number three position, proved how impactful he can be. He mustered 64 off 44 balls included four fours and three sixes. Skipper JP Duminy provided the Proteas with the final flourish with an unbeaten 17-ball 33 as the home team finished with 180/3 after 20 overs.

Take a bow, Isuru Udana!

Sri Lanka was out of the race even before they got halfway through their innings. Dale Steyn picked up two wickets right in the first over of the match. With Chris Morris also firing in all cylinders, they were reduced to 62/6 in 9.4 overs. From this stage, it never seemed as if they will get anywhere close to the target. But, Isuru Udana came to the rescue yet again as he did in the 4th ODI.

He went bonkers after the bowlers and was unbeaten on 84. Sri Lanka scored 73 runs off their last five overs. However, Udana was batting way too down the order and thus didn’t have any sort of support from the other end. He was the lone warrior for his team and therefore the visitors fell short by 16 runs. Twitterati was left in shock watching the heroics of Isuru Udana. They were singing praises for him and also applauded Dussen and Hendricks.

Here is how Twitterati reacted:

Can Isuru Udana get a call up to one of IPL team ???

— Hamdan Mukthar (@HamdanMukthar) March 23, 2019

Isuru Udana may get a spot in the next #IPL. Sri Lanka is clearly not the place for him. #SAvSL

— Black Mamba (@BlackMambaTrade) March 22, 2019

Is Isuru Udana part of any #IPL team this year? 🤔 #VivoIPL2019 #SAvSL #IsuruUdana

— Nelaka Edirisinghe (@NelakaEdi) March 22, 2019

Can Isuru udana get an ipl contract as am replacement to any injured player? Some hitting by him Today🔥🔥🔥 #SAvSL #IPL2019

— Pravesh Choubey (@Praveshchoubey1) March 22, 2019

Isuru Udana was the star of this match.
What an innings, marvellous and superb are lesser words. He didn’t get any support from the other end.
I would love to see him playing in IPL.
Hope some door is open for him…#IsuruUdana #ChampionAllRounder

— Shahab Jafri (@ShahabJafri55) March 22, 2019

Will be interesting to see if @IPL teams who have the option of taking a replacement player go for Isuru Udana. #IPL2019 #GameBanayegaName

— Ronald D. Sampson (@RDSampson_25) March 22, 2019

Isuru Udana has just secured himself an #IPL contract.

— Andile Mlondo (@AndileMlondo) March 22, 2019

Isuru Udana – #IPL base price INR 50 Lacs, SL left arm pacer & rhb. Smacks 84* runs of 48 balls. #SAvSL

— Satyakam (@satyakam92) March 22, 2019

Isuru udana desreved any of #IPl team specially @RCBTweets #SAvSL

— muza muzi (@MuzaqirRahman) March 22, 2019

I want Isuru Udana in IPL 2019 @KumarSanga2 @MahelaJay. What a player he is. 👌

— पंडित स्टीव स्मिथ (@mishrarmvivek) March 22, 2019

Is Isuru Udana on the IPL replacement train or not? @CricCrazyJohns @1tip1hand @CricCrazyNIKS #SAvSL

— Arindam Saha (@arindam_aka_dar) March 22, 2019

Isuru Udana deserves an IPL call

— Rimas Razeek (@rimasafridi) March 22, 2019

How many matches left before we appoint Isuru Udana as Sri Lankan captain? 🤫#cricket #lka

— Chamal Asela Perera (@chamalAsela) March 23, 2019

Overnight, Isuru Udana has created a new T20I record by scoring 84*(48) from #8, for SL v RSA. The previous record-holder, Ireland's Simranjit Singh, managed a mere 57 from that position v Netherlands last year. One one other 50 in all T20Is from #8.

— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) March 23, 2019

Yup next match between
South Africa
Vs
Isuru udana #SAvsSL

— insaf ali (@inshaf_official) March 23, 2019

The big boss Isuru Udana ❤ !#SAvSL pic.twitter.com/n7XpvB2kNM

— Sherlock Xavier (@WakaXavier) March 23, 2019

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