![KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya (Source - Twitter)](https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x960/filters:format(webp)/skyfair-news/media/post_banners/M3gmo6QDyu0o7Um9040n.png)
KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya (Source - Twitter)
![KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya (Source - Twitter)](https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/skyfair-news/media/post_attachments/f1lW9n4BDwEZhaAFyya4.png)
India and Sri Lanka locked horns in the second ODI of the three-match series at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The visitors made two changes in their team as injured Pathum Nissanka and Dilshan Madushanka were replaced by debutant Nuwanidu Fernando and Lahiru Kumara respectively. India also had an injury-enforced change to make to their side, with Kuldeep Yadav replacing Yuzvendra Chahal in the side.
Sri Lanka were bundled out for 215 on a good batting deck after opting to bat. Avishka Fernando struck three successive fours off Mohammed Siraj but the latter had the last laugh by providing the early breakthrough for the hosts. Debutant Nuwanidu Fernando took 11 balls to get off the mark but he along with Kusal Mendis scored at a brisk rate, stitched a half-century partnership, and were unperturbed by pace.
Rohit Sharma introduced spin only in the 17th over and both the left-arm spinners struck in their respective first over. The set Nuwanidu was run-out and Sri Lanka imploded as they slipped from 102/1 to 126/6, with Kuldeep starring with three wickets.
KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya saved India from a defeat
Chasing the target, India had a bad start as they lost their first 4 wickets on the score of just 86 runs. The first dismissal was of the skipper Rohit, who got out on 17 runs off 21 balls. Shubman Gill started aggressively as he smashed 5 fours but couldn’t continue the spark and departed after scoring 21 runs off just 12 balls. The first match’s centurion Virat Kohli had nothing to provide to the scoreboard as he got bowled on the score of just 4 runs.
However, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul and all-rounder Hardik Pandya took the responsibility and stitched a beautiful 75-run stand for the 5th wicket. Karunaratne broke the 75-run partnership with India still needing 55 runs to win. Axar batted positively and perished while looking to play a big shot. KL Rahul, meanwhile, remained calm till the end and took his team over the line as India won the match by 4 wickets.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Aise jitaye jate hei match pic.twitter.com/TWOp8MichJ
— 𝙂𝘼𝙐𝙏𝘼𝙈 (@indiantweetrian) January 12, 2023
Ab koi shadi tak gaaliya nahi dega bhai ko
— gulaalseth (@nustarahul) January 12, 2023
Bas Bilateral jitege hum 🔥😓
— विक्रम 𝘬ꪊꪑꪖ𝘳 🐦🪅 (@_Lune_amour) January 12, 2023
Kuldeep bowling, batting >>> chahal
— impact player (@LCUFAN) January 12, 2023
KL Rahul really super no.5 batting
KL Rahul saved Rohit Sharma's ass while Nofit fans scapegoat him for their idol failure as an captain 😭
— LA LA LAND ☭ (@Pratikeighteen) January 12, 2023
Credit to Kohli : pic.twitter.com/0sf3lIjXJ7
— Yash. (@CricFreakYash) January 12, 2023
India's Domination against Sri Lanka 🔥
— 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧 (@clownslayer_V) January 12, 2023
win series choke in icc tourneys.
— X﹏X ╚(•⌂•)╝ (@blehx_x) January 12, 2023
Ye Sri Lanka bs Haarne ke liye aati hai kya India#INDvsSL
— Cricketbugs (@Cricketbugs0) January 12, 2023