India vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I | Kusal Perera labels Tuesday’s innings as the best of his career

The hosts, on Tuesday, hardly looked bothered by the 175-run target that India had posted in the first innings. Despite losing Kusal Mendis in the ninth ball, which reduced Sri Lanka to 12/1, Perera and Danushka Gunathilaka had no inhibitions whatsoever as they went about their way in the most dismissive of manners.

Perera, especially, was the better of the two as he welcomed India’s Shardul Thakur with five boundaries and a six in his very first over of the game. Not only had it taken the game out of India’s hands, but it also shattered the bowler’s confidence. He scored 66 runs in 37 balls, which included six boundaries and four sixes that set up the game for Thisara Perera to finish comfortably.

“I think it is my best innings,” agreed Perera, the Player of the Match, after the game, reports ICC.

Perera couldn’t take part in the Bangladesh series earlier this year with a side strain but was raring to go as was evident from his outrageous strokes on Tuesday. 

“I played my club matches, did my practice, I backed myself, did my physiotherapy sessions … I wanted to go out there and express myself. That’s it,” Perera said.

However, Perera was not the only one to send the ball to the stands on Tuesday as India’s Shikhar Dhawan had also done that in the first innings. His 49 ball 90 included six boundaries and six maximums as he propelled the side to a safe position after a top-order collapse saw Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina returning to the pavilion adding just one run to the scoreboard.

“I enjoyed batting today, it was a bit of a slow pitch. But I was happy that I could stand till the end and perform for the team. As we lost early wickets, it was important for one of the top three to stay in. I was enjoying myself,” said Dhawan after the game.

“I like to carry on and make as many runs as possible, have fun out there. I believe in having fun out there.” stated Dhawan adding that Perera’s innings was an “amazing” one.