It seemed fitting that a quick bowler from Sri Lanka completed a 2-0 series victory in Chattogram. On the last day, it was 11.15 a.m. local time when Lahiru Kumara yorked Khaled Ahmed. After seven of Bangladesh’s wickets in the fourth innings were taken by Sri Lanka on the fourth day, the game was always going to end quickly.
With his final four-wicket haul, Kumara raised their fast bowlers’ series total to 33 scalps. It is the most in a two-match Test series by a Sri Lankan pace attack. Their hitters put up a terrific display that went hand in hand with the success of their fast bowlers.
In addition to being named Player of the Series and Player of the Match, Kamindu Mendis scored four hundred and eighty-nine points for the team. Bangladesh, however, could only muster four fifty. The amount of batting partnerships that lasted at least 20 overs was the other significant distinction between the two teams. Bangladesh had only one, while Sri Lanka had six.
Sri Lanka wins the series with a 192-run victory.
With the exception of Kamindu, captain Dhananjaya de Silva was the most impressive batsman. Despite the fact that they dominated the Sylhet Test with little assistance from the other batsmen, the problem was remedied when six of Sri Lanka’s top seven batsmen reached fifty runs in Chattogram’s opening innings.
“We are extremely happy with the victory,” Dhananjaya declared. “I have discussed a number of our areas for improvement with the team, and the coaches are working to address them. We can develop winning habits if we can improve 1% every day and gain new skills. We knew coming to Bangladesh would be beneficial for the batting. Getting runs is always their idea. They weren’t able to get runs in Sylhet, which upset them. However, they returned, and I found it really simple to deal with the other issues.”
One of the tour’s main highlights is Kamindu’s tale of waiting over two years for this historic trip; however, Dhananjaya stated that Kamindu had to wait for his team to be promoted from the Test side because superior players kept him out.
“These are the best players for Test cricket in Sri Lanka,” he stated. “They have also started giving performances at domestic venues. Kamindu was kept waiting for a little while. After reaching fifty runs in his opening over, he was forced to bat again by the substitute. However, he has been working out nicely.”
The batting group for Sri Lanka is taking shape such that it won’t be only dependent on the seasoned combination of Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, and Angelo Mathews. But since they assist him in guiding the Test team, the captain hopes they will last for a very long period.
Dhananjaya remarked, “They have served Sri Lanka admirably for many years.” “I have no idea how long they’ll play for. I would adore spending the next three to four years playing with them. They have demonstrated strong performance in the past and have excelled in these series as well.
They did not tamper with my leadership. They merely impart their views to me. Considering that tests require five days of play, it is quite beneficial. Having their advise is incredibly helpful because my mind wanders occasionally.”
During this Test series, Dhananjaya’s captaincy was particularly noteworthy. He welcomed the fast bowlers’ favourable circumstances in Sylhet. It aroused him more, he said. As a hitter, he was also adept at handling Bangladesh’s quick bowling. He designed compact fields in a Chattogram that was more conducive to batting in order to limit Bangladesh’s run pace. The fast bowlers responded wonderfully as well, so it was a great success.
Others noted that when it came to his teammates, Dhananjaya didn’t hesitate to be a strict taskmaster. “You have to be a little forceful sometimes. Some athletes can become lethargic when playing in a country like this where it’s hot.
However, everyone gains a small boost if I or another player on the field dives about a little bit and makes a nice stop. The other ten players are people I’m attempting to keep in the game. Dhananjaya remarked, “I’m not saying I have to be strict, but I do think you need to be a little aggressive when you lead.”
Dhananjaya’s maiden tour as captain has been quite the experience. Throughout the Test series, he not only led and scored runs but also kept the peace when rumours of rivalry started to circulate. The teams did not battle in the Tests as they did in the limited-overs series, at least not on the pitch. The fact that Dhananjaya insisted “it is not a rivalry” helped to maintain composure and made things easier both on and off the pitch.