Disciplined innings from former skipper MS Dhoni and pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar saw India defeating Sri Lanka by three wickets in a thrilling second ODI played at Pallekele on Thursday.
Chasing a revised target of 231 due to rain, India were cruising at 108 for no loss in the 16th over. But the match turned on its head in a space of six overs as the visitors lost seven wickets for just 22 runs. Sri Lankan all-rounder Akila Dananjaya created havoc in the Indian batting line-up as he scalped six wickets in his 10 overs.
But Dhoni (45 not out) and Bhuvneshwar (53 not out) forged a match-winning partnership of unbeaten 100 runs to seal the deal for India. This was India’s highest eighth wicket partnership in ODI’s.
Also, cricket fraternity praised Dhoni and Bhuvi for their fighting innings and taking India to a win from an unlikely looking situation.
Missed the game last night, what an unbelievable effort from @msdhoni and @BhuviOfficial to rescue us from a difficult situation. 👌👏
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) August 24, 2017
Congratulations India. A special spell from Dananjaya but great nerves from Dhoni.Bhuvi's spirit was a delight to watch. Well done !#INDvSL
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 24, 2017
Shows what experience can do.. well done @msdhoni guiding team india and Bhuvi showing his class. 👏👏
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) August 24, 2017
Absolutely loved the way @BhuviOfficial & @msdhoni bhai got us home tonight. Beautiful Chase 👌#TeamIndia #INDvSL
— Karun Nair (@karun126) August 24, 2017
Great Composure & Brilliant Chase @BhuviOfficial & @msdhoni . Cannot be more proud of the result today 👏👏👏 #bleedblue #IndvsSL #TeamIndia
— Murali Vijay (@mvj888) August 24, 2017
ChARACTER is the word to explain today's victory. @msdhoni @BhuviOfficial @BCCI #SLvIND #brilliantSHOW #winTOremember
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) August 24, 2017
Congratulations team india
Super se bhi uperrr partnership mahi bhai and bhuvi well played @bcci @ICC @BhuviOfficial @msdhoni ✌✌— 𝕸𝖔𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖒𝖆𝖉 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖎 (@MdShami11) August 24, 2017
Finally a good game in this series😊Congrats Team India on the win👍Sensational partnership between iceman @msdhoni & gritty @BhuviOfficial 👌
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 24, 2017
Never Say Die…three words that define Dhoni.
The man never quits 🙏🇮🇳 #SLvIND #Dhoni— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 24, 2017
What a game.. Special match winning partnership @msdhoni bhai n @BhuviOfficial and a brilliant spell by Dananjaya. Congrats India 👍 @BCCI
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) August 24, 2017
Nobody does calm better than @msdhoni. Couldn't it be packaged?
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 24, 2017
Credit to Dhoni .. but what a time to play your best innings .. Well played @BhuviOfficial #SLvsInd This will hurt @OfficialSLC .. #gutted
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) August 24, 2017
This is a sensational victory.Dhoni showing his calmness once again but Bhuvi showing the stuff he is made of.Absolutely brilliant.#IndvsSL
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 24, 2017
Don't see many times DHONI is overtaken in a tricky run chase! That's how well bhuwaneswar Played👏🏼 Well done to our boys for a fight back
— Farveez Maharoof (@farveezmaharoof) August 24, 2017
The smile says it all – Skipper @imVkohli with @BhuviOfficial & @msdhoni #TeamIndia #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/RijXJdJI2P
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 25, 2017
