Cricket

'Captain's contribution isse kehte hai' - Fans react as Wanindu Hasaranga inspires B-Love Kandy's win over Galle Titans in LPL 2023 Qualifier 2

B-Love Kandy skipper Wanindu Hasaranga remained their match-winner in Qualifier 2. Here's how fans reacted.

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Daniel S
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Wanindu Hasaranga, BLK

Wanindu Hasaranga, BLK (Source: Twitter)

B-Love Kandy defeated Galle Titans in Qualifier 2 of Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023. Wanindu Hasaranga won the toss and elected to bat first. Led by handsome contributions from the skipper with 48 off 30, including three boundaries and four maximums, and veteran batter Dinesh Chandimal with 38 off 37, including three boundaries and a maximum, Kandy reached a competitive total of 157/7 in 20 overs.

Talking about the bowling from the Titans, Lahiru Kumara remained the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/21 in his four overs. Sonal Dinusha followed him with 2/32 in three overs. Whereas, Shakib Al Hasan and Kasun Rajitha returned one wicket each. In response, the Galle Titans fell short of the target by 35 runs with the pitch at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium exhibiting its peculiar character of getting harder to bat on as the game progresses.

Wanindu Hasaranga won the ‘Player of the Match’ award

Sonal Dinusha with 28 off 32, including one six, and Litton Das with 25 off 19, including four fours were the only two Titans’ batters to surpass the 20-run mark. They could only manage 123/8 in 20 overs marking the end of their impressive run in LPL 2023. As far as Kandy’s bowling is concerned, Wanindu Hasaranga once again impressed with figures of 2/21 in four overs. He was adjudged the ‘Player of the Match’ for his all-round performance. Chaturanga de Silva recorded better figures of 2/16 while Mohammad Hasnain overtook him with 2/8. Lastly, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Sahan Arachchige contributed by picking up one wicket each.

B-Love Kandy had to make the longer way through to reach the final as they set up their final LPL 2023 date with Dambulla Aura on Sunday, August 20. Earlier, they defeated Jaffna Kings in the Eliminator to progress to the second Qualifier. On the other hand, Galle Titans who lost Qualifier 1 against Dambulla couldn’t get past Wanindu Hasaranga’s men. However, the fourth edition of the LPL will have a new winner following Jaffna Kings' elimination. Notably, they were three-time champions in the first three editions.

Here’s how fans reacted:

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