Hardik Pandya fit for third ODI against Sri Lanka
All-rounder Hardik Panyda was deemed fit by fielding coach R Sridhar on Saturday during a pre-match conference and is likely to take the field with the team later today. The 23-year old had cramped up during the first innings in the second ODI and had to leave the field midway through the game.
India is all set to take on Sri Lanka at the Pallekelle International Stadium on Sunday in a bid to take an unassailable lead in the series and clinch the series in their favour. India's hopes were boosted after coach R Sridhar confirmed that Hardik Pandya is fit to take on the field with the Indian team.
The 23-year old all-rounder was doubtful for the third ODI after he was seen cramping in the Sri Lankan innings and had to leave the field midway in his 6th over and Kedar Jadhav had to be brought on to complete the over. Even while struggling, Pandya made himself useful for the team dismissing Upul Tharanga cheaply at 9.
India's fielding coach, Sridhar, clarified that Pandya was fit to take on the field in the third ODI against the hosts.
"On Thursday, Hardik Pandya was cramping. He's perfectly alright now. He should be ready for the next game," Sridhar told PTI.
The Indian batting lineup witnessed a collapse of sorts when Akila Dananjaya bowled out five Indian batsmen in a matter of a couple of overs to make India's chase of 231 an uphill task. Dananjaya picked up six wickets in his 10-over spell at the cost of 54 runs. However, a 100-run eighth wicket partnership between Bhuvneshwar Kumar and MS Dhoni proved enough to take India across the finish line.
"Akila Dananjaya bowled brilliantly in the last game. We take that forward, and we'll make sure we won't repeat the same mistakes going forward,” said Sridhar during the pre-match press conference.
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