IN L VS SL L FINAL

Right then, that is all we have from this second edition of the Road Safety T20 World Series. India Legends are the deserving winners and they now pose for a group photo with the trophy. We shall also not forget the noble cause behind this tournament. Let’s take a pledge to make our roads safer and we shall be back for the next season to take this initiative forward. Till then, it’s goodbye and cheers!

Sachin Tendulkar, the skipper of India Legends says that every trophy is important. Credits Vinay Kumar and Naman Ojha for the way they batted. Further says that it was an instinct to send Vinay Kumar at no.4. Adds that wicketkeeper plays an important role and if he scores runs it reflects on the wicketkeeping as well. Says that every player gave there best and it was a team effort. Adds that effort is always important from the team. Adds that Road safety is always important and encourages people to be more careful. Adds that Yuvraj was not well in this game but when one comes on the field it is important to perform and they did that in this game.

Tillakaratne Dilshan, the skipper of Sri Lanka Legends says that the total could have been chased but the top order didn’t click and once again the tail played really well. Mentions that when they play big games all three departments need to perform but their fielding was poor and they dropped a few catches. Credits Naman Ojha for his outstanding innings and the opponents batting effort. Adds that they have done well in the competition and he is happy with his team but would have liked to get over the line. Admits that it had been less than 24 hours since they played and it is not easy to recover even so after a certain age. Claims that they had to come and play which is a part of the sport. Ends by saying that this year more youngsters have come into the side and he is glad he could keep up with them.

Naman Ojha is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fantastic century. He says that it is always special to score a century in the final. Further says that Sachin told him to play natural game and that helped him. Mentions that Vinay Kumar played well and that eased some pressure. Further says it is always special to play with legends and signs off by saying that he will cherish this series for a long time.

Time for the Presentation...

Sri Lanka Legends were quite good in this game in patches both with the bat and ball but could not sustain that for a long period of time. Nuwan Kulasekara bowled well for them but other bowlers were bit expensive and that meant that Sri Lanka had to depend on their batting firepower to win this final. However, the top order crumbled though there were some decent contributions from the lower-middle order batters, they were always behind the 8-ball after losing wickets in clusters in the initial phase. There was a 63-run stand for the 7th wicket between Ishan Jayaratne and Mahela Udawatte that took Sri Lanka Legends close to the target but it was not enough in the end. India Legends have yet again managed to outclass them in the summit clash but it has been a fascinating to watch Lankan tgers in action and they would be looking to come back stronger in the next season.

Sachin Tendulkar said at the toss that he wants to put runs on the board in a pressure game despite the dew factor in the second innings and his decision has paid rich dividends here. India Legends powered by a spectacular century by Naman Ojha got to a huge total with the bat and that gave their bowlers a bit of luxury coming into the second half. However, Sri Lanka Legends have batted well throughout this season and would have fancied their chances of chasing down this total with heavy dew here in Raipur. India Lagends bowlers though stick to their plans and got four early wickets to restrict Sri Lanka Legends to 41-4 in the 8th over. Abhimanyu Mithun and Vinay Kumar bowled well with the new ball and the spinners got big wickets of Dilshan Munaweera and Tillakaratne Dilshan to put Sri Lanka in pressure early in the chase. In the end, India Legends bowlers did leak some runs with dew making it difficult to grip the ball but Abhimanyu Mithun and Vinay Kumar kept their cool and bowled quite well in the death to take India over the line in this final.

INDIA LEGENDS HAVE WON THE ROAD SAFETY T20 WORLD SERIES 2022! They have done it two times in a row now and the emotions on the field show what it means to these legends of the game. It is ecstasy on one side while there is agony in the Sri Lankan Legends camp. Sri Lanka legends were brilliant throughout this season but sadly they have failed to cross the final hurdle yet again.

OUT! LBW! Back-to-back wickets and India Legends are champions! Vinay Kumar ends with a flourish as he traps Dhammika Prasad in front of the wicket. He bowls this on a good length and aimed for the off pole, the batter is late in getting his bat down and the ball hits him on the pads in front of the wicket. The umpire raises his finger and the India Legends players are in a huddle celebrating. They have won this final in a comprehensive fashion with a 33-run victory.

Dhammika Prasad is the last man in.

OUT! PLUMB! Vinay Kumar gets his man! He bowls this full and angled into the stumps, Ishan Jayaratne steps across and looks to play this to the leg side. The ball raps against the pads and the bowler is up an instant appeal for this wicket. The umpire raises his finger and Ishan Jayaratne has done well to get Ishan Jayaratne close as he could. Just one wicket left now.

FOUR! This is a really intelligent shot from Ishan Jayaratne and that brings up his fifty! Vinay Kumar bowls this on a good length and outside the off pole, Ishan Jayaratne gets across the line of the stumps and scoops this towards fine leg for a boundary.

SIX! Ishan Jayaratne continues to fight! On a length, on off. Ishan Jayaratne gets across to his right and hits it over the fine leg fence for a maximum.

Swing and a miss! Back of a length and around off. Ishan Jayaratne swings wildly across the line but misses.

A low full toss, outside off. Ishan Jayaratne gets acrross and heaves it to deep mid-wicket for just a single. 44 needed now from 12 balls!

Back of a length, on middle. Nuwan Kulasekara clips it to fine leg for a single.

WIDE! This is full and way down the leg side. Nuwan Kulasekara tries to clip it but misses.