Twitter reacts to Sri Lanka posting a competitive total in front of India

After the comprehensive loss against the visitors in the First ODI at Dambulla, Sri Lanka was determined to make a comeback into the series to keep their hopes alive in the series. The entire Sri Lankan population demanded a better performance, especially looking at their recent performances against India in the Test series and the embarrassing loss against minnows Zimbabwe.

Virat Kohli’s luck with the toss continued as he won the fifth consecutive toss on the trot in this tour of Sri Lanka. No prizes for guessing, Kohli opted to chase as he brought in an unchanged side at Pallekelle. Upul Tharanga, on the other hand, had three changes in his team. The captain brought in Milinda Siriwardena, Akila Dhananjaya and Dushmantha Chameera in place of Thisara Perera, Lakshan Sandakan and Wanidu Hasaranga, who were ordinary in the First ODI.

Much like in Dambulla, Niroshan Dickwella and Dhanushka Gunathilaka started off the proceedings at a rapid pace and gave their wicket away in a soft manner. MS Dhoni brilliantly dislodged the bails even after a fumble to dismiss Gunathilaka. Dickwella was outfoxed by Bumrah as he tried to give himself some room towards the leg side.

Similar to the proceedings in Dambulla, Sri Lanka were reduced to 121-5 after Angelo Matthews was dismissed in the 29th over. It appeared to go downhill for the hosts but Siriwardena (58) and Kapugedera(40) had other ideas. They stitched a vital partnership of 91 off 99 balls to resurrect the Lankan innings.

At one point in time, the Lions might have looked at a score of around 250-260, but the Indian bowling attack constantly chipped in with wickets during the death to restrict Sri Lankans to 236 for the loss of eight wickets. The star for India during the first half of the innings was Jasprit Bumrah who picked up a four wicket haul. Chahal also chipped in with a couple of wickets while Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel shared a wicket each. India now has to chase down 237 to go 2-0 up in the series.

Here’s how Twitter reacted

Axar Patel 's bwlng figues in 2nd ODI #SLvIND
10-0-30-1
still his position isn't confirmed when Sir Jadeja & Ashwin returns#IndvsSL

— Freaky ~ DRaval (@_DRaval) August 24, 2017

Me searching hard for 1 reason to watch this 1 sided match #IndvsSL #SLvIND #Pallekele pic.twitter.com/ANk55238rJ

— Lakshay Bansal (@B_lakshay) August 24, 2017

What a performance Team india! Lucky to witness this win @SDhawan25 @imVkohli played with class n aggression,well played gentlemen #IndvsSL

— Sidharth Malhotra (@S1dharthM) August 20, 2017

SRI LANKAN CRICKET TEAM BE LIKE: #IndvsSL #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/1ZgFW2IVSY

— nitish sharma (@nitishsharma812) August 24, 2017

Now Msd & Sangakara jointly hold the record of most stumpings in ODI's!@msdhoni ❤️? #IndvsSL pic.twitter.com/pJXCkwlraz

— prashant pareek (@prashan235) August 24, 2017

Sir I love battling. Fast concentration your wiCletus keeping and nwo best keeper in world #99* #MSDhoni #Dhoni #MSD #IndvsSL pic.twitter.com/7jEoC4fu9q

— MS Dhoni Forever ? (@msdhoni_forever) August 24, 2017

#IndvsSL So india to chase 237 runs for victory, we may expect a big opening partnership from Dhawan & Rohit who is due for big score.

— Totlani Krishan (@kktotlani) August 24, 2017

Sri Lankan innings

(let, landing = wicket)#IndvsSL #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/9lKPfATM1t

— ? (@LoyalViratFan) August 24, 2017

Dear Virat Bhaiya..!?

Please you & Mahi Bhai open the innings today becz we all want to watch your century & Mahi Bhai's batting. #IndvsSL

— aayushh? (@aayushvk_) August 24, 2017

Looks like Dhoni won't bat today ?
Kohli & Dhawan are enough to hit 237. #IndvsSL

— Ayush Jain (@aj_ayush2242) August 24, 2017

Football is Better Than Cricket #IndvsSL

— Indian Tribe (@tribe_indian) August 24, 2017

Kusal Mendis was looking for sweep but misses it & gets trapped in front . Great Delivery by @yuzi_chahal. #IndvsSL

— Sharat Chandra Bhatt (@imsharatbhatt) August 24, 2017

#SLvIND #IndvsSL Are you kidding Mendis ? Review for a plumb

— Chinmaya Keshava (@keshavachinmaya) August 24, 2017

India tour of Sri Lanka is just to improve individual and team stats of India #IndvsSL

— Kishore (@Kishornu) August 24, 2017

congratulations @msdhoni joint most stumpings by any wk #IndvsSL #MicromaxCup pic.twitter.com/TZ7Kxuajv8

— Chirat Jholi (@ChiratJholi) August 24, 2017

Iam confident about axar patel he will in playing XI for 2019 world cup. #IndvsSL #Slvsind

— Ram (@Ramwrites7) August 24, 2017

Captain is someone who drives his team and play with some responsibility and take his team forward. Tharanga is failed to do so. #IndvsSL

— Happiness Alive ™ (@chandresh_says) August 24, 2017

Have No Respect for Sangakkara.Instead of playing for SL he took a early retirement and wanted money by playing all foreign leagues #IndVsSl

— Arun (@Arun_SRKian) August 24, 2017

Danushka Gunathilaka comes down the track & missed the ball completely. An Easy Stumping for @msdhoni bhai. #IndvsSL

— Sharat Chandra Bhatt (@imsharatbhatt) August 24, 2017

No matter how talented batsmen U are..If your miss the ball & if it is @msdhoni u just need to walk away no need of looking back #IndvsSL

— Subbu Andhukuri?? (@SubbuAndhukuri) August 24, 2017

Is it just me or does anyone think Bumrah can't throw for nuts. Good bowling but he can't throw. @BCCI #IndvsSL

— Sachin (@crickass07) August 24, 2017

Match day 2nd Odi of the series
Hope #TeamIndia will win this game , All the very best for @imVkohli & Team #IndvsSL

— NaRendra B (@BNnarendra014) August 24, 2017