Picture Credit: BCCI
The second and final Test between India and Sri Lanka got wrapped up within three days with the hosts completely dominating Dimuth Karunaratne and Co. After bowling out the Lankans for a mere 109 in the first innings, India set a mammoth target of 447 runs. But, as it has been in recent years Sri Lanka batters could not stand for long on the pitch and got bundled out for 208.
India found several heroes in the game. Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, and R Ashwin were the bigger ones. While Iyer registered half-centuries in both innings, Pant scored a record fifty. If Bumrah claimed his first fifer at home, Ashwin went past Dale Steyn in terms of most Test wickets. So, it was another clinical performance from Rohit Sharma and Co. to remain unbeaten in 2022.
While there were so many milestone men for India, there were also a couple in the opposition camp. Dimuth Karunaratne scored a century to register his name in the record books. On the other hand, Suranga Lakmal was playing his last game in Sri Lanka whites. Although Lakmal did not have a great game, his past contributions were enough to earn him some praise from the Indian players.
As soon as Lakmal played the last delivery of his Test career in Sri Lanka's second innings and started walking off the field, Indian fielders from around the corners of the ground walked up to him to wish him best for his future. Jasprit Bumrah was the first one to congratulate Lakmal on a fabulous career. Bumrah was followed by the rest of the Indian players including captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
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Lakmal played 70 Tests for Sri Lanka
The right-arm quick played 70 Tests for Sri Lanka and was their top weapon in seaming conditions. He claimed 171 wickets in 122 innings of the 70 Tests at an average of 36.44. Lakmal has 4 five-wicket hauls and seven 4-wicket hauls in red-ball cricket. In 97 white-ball games (86 ODIs, 11 T20Is), Lakmal has 117 wickets (109 in ODIs, 8 in T20Is).