India beat Sri Lanka in second ODI and took a 2-0 lead in three-match series.
Former Pakistan cricketer and commentator Ramiz Raja lauded Rahul Dravid as Team India registered victory over Sri Lanka in the second ODI of the three-match series on July 20.
The two ODIs of the series so far have been in complete contrast to each other, where India dominated the first ODI over the hosts, and the second ODI saw India somehow managed to cross the line.
Chasing a target of 276 in the second match, India’s top order collapsed as the visitors were reduced to 65-3. The middle-order stabilized the innings with Suryakumar Yadav raising his maiden ODI fifty in his second match, but as soon as he got out, the fans seemed to doubt India’s lower middle order to take the team to victory.
However, Deepak Chahar held his nerve and took the team over the line with magnificent innings of 69 not out. Chahar formed an unbeaten 84-run partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the eighth wicket as India won the match by 3 wickets.
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Along with all the other cricket fans and critics, Ramiz Raja was highly impressed with India’s performance in the match and complimented the head coach of the team for this tour, Rahul Dravid for the success.
“Chahar read the situation of the game brilliantly. A lot of credit for the same must go to Rahul Dravid, under whom these youngsters are being trained in Sri Lanka. A very good team environment is being built. He himself is a young coach,” Ramiz said in his YouTube video.
“Dravid talks less, and that is one of the secrets to success as a coach. One should not overburden the mind with too many thoughts or ideas, which creates unnecessary confusion. And there was definitely no confusion in the manner in which Chahar played great innings. In his fifth one-dayer, he played an amazing knock and won them a match, which seemed like a lost cause at one point,” he added.
Meanwhile, India will play the final ODI of the series on Friday (23rd July) on the same ground. With the series in the pocket, the team management might look to give opportunities to other players as well in order to give them the experience of international cricket.