Sri Lanka head coach Chris Silverwood believes skipper Dasun Shanaka’s unbeaten 108 off 88 balls will make him a sought-after Indian Premier League franchise. Chasing India’s target of 374 in the first one-day international here on Tuesday, Sri Lanka’s team was heading towards a big defeat after losing seven wickets at one time but Shanaka, who came out to bat at number six, scored a century. Reached 306 for eight wickets but could not save his team from a 67-run defeat.
“I think it will boost his (Shanaka’s) morale a lot,” Silverwood told reporters after the first ODI. Did not bid. The head coach said, “He has now staked a claim. I am sure the (IPL) franchises will be watching him and seeing what kind of cricketer he is. He strikes the ball very well so I hope he gets a chance.
This was Shanaka’s second T20 International century. He had earlier performed brilliantly in the T20 International series as well, scoring the highest 124 runs for his team at a strike rate of 187.87. Asked whether Sri Lanka is over-reliant on Shanaka, the coach said, “I don’t think we are over-reliant on Dasun. He is in very good form at the moment so obviously he is doing very well.” Silverwood said, “If you see, today Pathum Nissanka also scored runs. I think the partnership between him and Dhananjay (D’Silva) gave us the momentum. ,
Opener Nissanka scored 72 runs in 80 balls while Dhananjay scored 47 runs. Electing to bat after losing the toss, captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave India a great start by adding 143 runs for the first wicket. Virat Kohli then scored his 45th ODI century as India scored 373 for seven. Silverwood said after the match, “Obviously, we didn’t start well. To be honest, we lacked discipline at times in the first 10 overs and we gave India a chance to get off to a good start. It was a high scoring ground. India knew they had to start well and we let them do that. Sri Lankan fielders also disappointed. He gave life to Kohli twice on the score of 52 and 81 runs. In the end, he played an innings of 113 runs in 87 balls.
