Indian bowlers were at their relentless best when the Rohit Sharma-led side defeated Sri Lanka by 238 runs in the second Test (D/N) at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday. With this win, India registered a clean sweep in the two-game series. This was India’s 14th consecutive win in various formats since Rohit was named captain of the team. It was a special test for Indian pacemaker Jasprit Bumrah, who registered his first five-for on home soil in the first innings, before adding three more scalps to his name in the second innings. However, it was Bumrah’s beautiful gesture to Sri Lankan pacesetter Suranga Lakmal who ruled the internet.
On Day 3, Bumrah sent Lakmal away but congratulated the fast bowler from Sri Lanka, who played his last game of his international career.
Both players exchanged hands and even Rohit and Virat Kohli congratulated the player.
Lakmal also received a special guard of honor from players from both locker rooms as he walked back to the pavilion.
The BCCI shared the video of the moment on their official Twitter handle.
Spirit of Cricket at its best as #TeamIndia congratulate Suranga Lakmal who played his last international match #SpiritOfCricket † #INDvSL † @Paytm pic.twitter.com/aa17CK5hqv
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 14, 2022
Here are some of the social media reactions to Bumrah’s gesture to Lakmal:
Bumrah with another!
Takes out Lakmal and rushes over to shake his hand as his international career comes to an end. #INDvSL #SaddaPunjab
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 14, 2022
So Bumrah didn’t celebrate his wicket but ran straight to Lakmal to wish him well on his retirement.
Show why he is not only a brilliant bowler, but also an excellent human being.
We’ve seen these before.#Bumrah#CricketTwitter #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/TlR1i7Ass7
— Cricfan_ (@Cricfan45_10_17) March 14, 2022
Nice gesture by Bumrah, shortly after taking the wicket he went to hug Lakmal who is playing his last international match. pic.twitter.com/WCuPPvmobT
— Jansen. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 14, 2022
After the match, Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne also congratulated Lakmal, describing the latter as “one of the best”.
“One of the best I’ve seen in my career. I’m really happy for him that he’s going to county cricket and I know he’ll do very well there too,” Karunaratne said at the presentation ceremony.
Lakmal, who took just one wicket in the match, had made his debut in an ODI against India in 2009 in Nagpur.
He then made his Test debut almost a year later against the West Indies in Colombo.
promoted
The 35-year-old bowed out of international cricket, having played 70 Tests, 86 ODIs and 11 T20Is.
During his playing career, Lakmal took 288 wickets in various formats.
Topics mentioned in this article