Published: Sep 11, 2016, 08:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 11, 2016, 01:39 PM (IST)
Unable to ride on the success of a Test whitewash against Australia, Sri Lanka were hammered in the One-Day International (ODI) series, and returned with a humiliating loss in the Twenty20 International (T20I) series, at the hands of the visitors. Tillakaratne Dilshan, who played his final T20I series, had a horrible end to what was a fantastic career. The hosts surely missed the heroics of Amila Aponso and their all-rounder as well as the sailor of the ship, Angelo Mathews, in the concluding matches. There were plenty of underperformers for Sri Lanka, who failed to cope up against a skillful Australia side, led by stand-in skipper David Warner. Full Cricket Scorecard: Sri Lanka vs Australia 2nd T20I at Colombo
Sri Lanka did have the opportunity to turn it around after a disastrous 1-4 ODI loss, but stand-in captain Dinesh Chandimal, could not inspire his team to a win in the T20 series as well. Nevertheless, a few names did do well for the hosts as Shruti Hariharan rates and evaluates the players based on their show:
Dhananjaya de Silva (7/10): If there was anyone who did leave a mark for Sri Lanka in the T20 series, it was de Silva. In the second T20I, he took his team, well above the 100-run mark. His maiden century in Test paved the way for him to better the performance in limited-overs. He not only notched up 131 runs in ODI series, he looked promising for the future. His part-time spin could not produce the magic as well.
Dinesh Chandimal (6/10): Despite being in fine form in the ODI series, Chandimal could not continue capitulate on the same in the T20 series. His last minute heroics could have turned the tables for the islanders, but all did not go as planned. Chandimal ended up with just 62 runs in the series and 58 off those were in the first match. He could not take his side to victory in either of the matches. As a leader, Chandimal would have liked to bag a win and provide a fitting farewell to Dilshan. Considering the fact that he did try to bring changes and try shuffling bowlers against a red-hot Australian top-order, Chandimal deserves accolades for his hard-work and the boost that he has provided in this series with his crucial knocks in the middle-order. ALSO READ: Sri Lanka vs Australia 3rd ODI Video highlights: Dinesh Chandimal’s century
Kusal Perera (4/10): Sri Lanka’s opener had a forgettable series. Kusal, could neither prove his stance in ODIs nor could he change his luck and go all guns blazing in the T20Is. All he could manage was to add up 20-odd runs in the final T20I and provide a steady start. In the ODIs, he ended up with a tally of 86. He could neither show brilliance behind the stumps and his poor show was evident right from the the first ODI.
Chamara Kapugedera (4/10): Kapugedara’s form has not been impressive with regards to T20Is this year. He can be handy with the bat in the middle-order and did prove to be so in the first T20I. But he was unable to carry forward the form in the last match of the tour and ended up scoring a total of 50 runs at the end of the series. Kapugedera’s highest score in T20Is so far has been an unbeaten 48 and he was unable to better that.
Kusal Mendis (3.5/10): Mendis, Sri Lanka’s most-prolific batsman of the Test series, could not make the most of it in the T20I series. He was brilliant in the ODIs, but then his performances were just not enough to take Sri Lanka to wins in the ODIs. He scored 22 and 5 in the two T20Is and just could not make his presence felt in the shortest format, against a side that was top-notch. If he would have fired in the T20Is, things probably would have ended up differently.
Tillakaratne Dilshan (3/10): Playing final T20I series, Dilshan would have wanted to end on a high. When Dilshan entered the ground, one could recollected all the legacy he left behind. However, he was unable to build up on them and ended his international career on a not-so-happy note. With just five runs in the entire series, he really struggled to get going. Out of all this, there was one thing Dilshan could rejoice about – a crucial wicket of Usman Khawaja in the last match of the tour. He had a decent outing with the ball, as he ended with an economy rate of 4 and conceding just eight runs at the end of it. ALSO READ: Tillakaratne Dilshan: Top 5 T20I knocks of the Sri Lanka legend
Sachith Pathirana (2.5/10): Pathirana looked like a promising all-rounder in ODIs, but failed to show any glimpse of the same in T20Is. With just 12 runs and a wicket at the end of the series, he was another loophole in Sri Lanka’s misery. Spin, that played crucial role for the Lankans in the Tests series, found no luck in the T20Is.
Sachithra Senanayake (2.5/10): Off-spinner Senanayake was called in to add more variation to the bowling unit. It turned to be a blunder. He gave away 46 runs in the first T20I, while he could score just 13 runs in the lower middle-order. His best as bowler has been for 4 for 46 against West Indies at home in 2010 and this time around a similar stance was expected. But it was not to happen, thanks to Glenn Maxwell.
Thisara Perera (2/10): When you have an aggressive all-rounder in your side, you would like to turn to him in case of any worries. Unfortunately, Chandimal’s faith on Perera could not solve the the problem. He did shine with the new-ball in the ODIs, but conceded runs at an enormous rate in the T20Is. He was active in the field, taking some important catches, but with just seven runs and a wicket, Perera was a mere name in the Playing XI. ALSO READ: T20 World Cup 2016: Lasith Malinga’s replacement unlikely, says Thisara Perera
Suranga Lakmal (1/10): His magical spell of 4-for against Ireland was surely missed in the T20I series against Australia. Lakmal, went wicketless. Just like other bowlers, he went for plenty. Catches being dropped off, his bowling did not help the cause either.
Seekkuge Prasanna and Kasun Rajitha: Considering both the players just a got a single game, it would be unfair to rate them. Prasanna was brought in the second T20I. He had one moment to celebrate and that was biggie of Maxwell. On the other hand, Rajitha was nowhere in comparison to Prasanna and was a total let down for his side.
Dasun Shanaka and Milinda Siriwardene: Although, they were part of the squad, they did not receive an opportunity to showcase their talent. Siriwardene, despite being a T20 specialist, was kept away from the series. Meanwhile, Shanaka who gained a spot in T20Is after his heroics against India with three-wicket haul earlier this year, found no space in the Playing XI.
