Sports News
Hardik Pandya and Shreyas Iyer bring in a new celebration style to the customary Hi5
The 24-year old from Baroda brought further joy to the already-berserk Barabati Stadium crowd with his new celebration style with teammate Shreyas Iyer.
New Delhi: India cruised to comfortable 93 run victory over Sri Lanka, in Cuttack on Wednesday, 20th December. It was also India’s record highest victory in terms of runs since their 90 run win over England – in Colombo during the ICC World Twenty20, 2012. Wednesday’s game was also a perfect day for the display of India’s youngsters, and they put in a match-winning show. All-rounder Hardik Pandya took the last three Lankan wickets – which was another feather to his increasing list of terrific performances.
The 24-year old from Baroda brought further joy to the already-berserk Barabati Stadium crowd with his new celebration style with teammate Shreyas Iyer. The duo did the regular Hi5, but instead of using the hands, they used their legs. The Indian Cricket Team posted a photo of the Hi5 celebration on Instagram, which read: “We’ve heard of the HI5 What’s with this new style? What are @hardikpandya93 and @shreyas41 up to? #TeamIndia #INDvSL”
The Men in Blue put in a terrific performance, and it was also Sri Lanka’s biggest defeat in terms of runs in T20Is, since their 85-run defeat to Australia at Pallekele on September 6, 2016.
Opener KL Rahul’s smooth 61, and some responsible hammering by MS Dhoni and Manish Pandey helped India put in a respectable 181 target, after the early dismissal of stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma. Dhoni was also promoted to number 4 in the batting order, smashing 39 runs (22 balls) and finished the innings with a massive six in the final ball. Meanwhile Yuzvendra Chahal had a perfect game, as he registered his second best bowling figures in T20Is with his four wickets (conceded 23 runs). Chahal’s best bowling figures were against England in February 2017, when he numbered at six for 25.
India meet Sri Lanka again on 22nd December in Indore’s Holkar Stadium, and will be looking to seal the series with a victory.
