Monday Feb 03, 2025
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Kusal Perera
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A tell off from Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya brought forth the best batting from Kusal Perera in the recently concluded three-match T20I series against New Zealand.
Perera was admonished in no uncertain terms by the Head Coach for playing a rash shot that led to his dismissal to the second ball he faced in the first T20I which Sri Lanka lost by a mere 8 runs. After the openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis had given the team a head start by posting 121 for the first wicket, Perera’s uncharacteristic stroke brought about a Sri Lankan collapse where they lost the next six wickets for 43 runs to fall short of their target by 9 runs.
It is strange what a few coarse words from the Head Coach can do to a player. Perera responded with a responsible knock of 48 off 35 balls in the second T20I and followed it up with a match-winning century off 44 balls in the third T20I to give Sri Lanka a consolation win. It was the fastest T20I century made by a Sri Lankan batter. – [ST]