Virender Sehwag says Sri Lanka tested Indian bowlers, lauds Arshdeep Singh

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag said Sri Lanka tested Indian bowlers after Suryakumar Yadav’s team registered a Super Over win at Dubai in the Asia Cup on Friday. India posted a par score of 202 runs on the board after contributions from Abhishek Sharma (61), Sanju Samson (39) and Tilak Varma (49).

However, Pathum Nissanka scored a magnificent knock of 107 runs off just 58 balls as he took the Indian bowlers to the cleaners. In the end, Sri Lanka needed 12 off the last over but Harshit Rana conceded 11 to take the game into the Super Over.

Arshdeep Singh was given the responsibility and the left-arm scalped two wickets and conceded only two runs. Indian captain then finished off the game after scoring three runs on the first ball he faced in the Super Over.

“Sri Lanka stunned everyone with the way they batted. They came to chase 202, and it seemed at one stage that Sri Lanka would win this match. However, India made a comeback in the end overs. (Pathum) Nissanka’s century was excellent. The Sri Lankan batters had kept their best performance for the end,” Virender Sehwag said on Sony Sports.

“So it was slightly enjoyable to watch that. The Indian bowlers hadn’t been tested thus far. They were winning even when they were scoring 160. Arshdeep Singh would have to be praised for the way he bowled in the Super Over and even the 19th over he bowled. You can call it a close contest,” the former India captain added.

Sehwag gave credit to the Sri Lankan batting duo of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera and believes Indian bowlers didn’t bowl badly.

“I feel the Indian bowlers tried a lot, but Nissanka and (Kusal) Perera batted very well. So the batting should be credited. The Indian bowlers didn’t bowl too many bad balls. The bowlers can have an off-day at times,” he replied.

The former Delhi cricketer said India would be happy to get a win against Sri Lanka as they were experimenting with their combination.

“I don’t think they would be disappointed. Winning is important, whether in the Super Over or in the normal T20, by one run or 100 runs. A win is a win. India had reached the final in any case. India were experimenting. They made a bowler and an all-rounder sit out and gave chances to someone else. I feel they would be happy,” Sehwag observed.

India will take on Pakistan in the final on Sunday.