The opening match of the Lanka Premier League 2021 Was held on between Jaffna Kings and Galle Gladiators at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. With the Samit Patel’s amazing all round performance opening game of the Lanka Premier League as Galle Gladiators won the 1st game of the 2nd Lanka Premier League against Jaffna Kings beating by 54 runs.
After being asked to bat by Jaffna Kings captain Thisara Perera, Galle lost their top three batters cheaply. Last year’s highest run-getter, Danushka Gunathilaka, skied one straight up after scoring 2 fours in the opening over. Kusal Mendis, playing his maiden game for Galle, too skied one up. The Jaffna Kings bowlers were right on top of their game when experienced Mohammad Hafeez fell for 15 as Galle Gladiators were 3 down for just 41 runs.
Gladiators skipper Bhanuka Rajapaksa, batting at number five, added the much-needed impetus to their innings with a masterful 56 off 31 balls with 6 fours and 3 sixes. He was involved in two crucial partnerships in the middle overs – 52 with Ben Dunk for the 4th wicket and 40 with Samit Patel for the 5th wicket. Wanindu Hasaranga continued his purple patch picking up Dunk and Rajapaksa to end with figures of 21 for 2 from his 4 overs. After Rajapaksa fell, Patel took on the mantle of ending the innings on a high. He made 42 off 31 deliveries before being dismissed in the final over as Gladiators posted a match-winning 164 on the scoreboard.
Chasing a target of 165, Jaffna Kings were all out for 110 in 18.4 overs.
West Indies youngster Jayeden Seales, Who representing Jaffna Kings bowled a pivotal last over as he finished with 03 wickets for just 23 runs in 04 overs (econ / 5.75) , being the pick of the bowlers in the LPL 2021 opening match For Jaffna kings
He got out Galle Gladiators opening Batman Kusal Mendis , Sumit Patel and Isuru Udana in First Inning
- Jayden Seales to Kusal Mendis, A short and quick ball by Jayden Seales, bangs it into the pitch and Kusal Mendis plays across the line. Swings his blade to swat it away, ends up getting a top edge as the keeper calls for it and takes it diving forward. Kusal Mendis c Gurbaz b Jayden Seales 16(12) [4s-2]
- Jayden Seales to Samit Patel, out Caught by Hasaranga!! Samit Patel departs after playing a useful knock. Pulls this short ball to deep mid-wicket and Hasaranga sprints in to take a good catch. Was hit hard and flat, but good effort by the all-rounder in the deep. Samit Patel c Hasaranga b Jayden Seales 42(31) [4s-6]
- Jayden Seales to Udana, out Caught by Hasaranga! Gladiators finish with 164/7! Udana heaves the full length delivery to deep mid-wicket as he fails get the timing right and Hasaranga in the deep takes a reverse cup to bring an end to the innings. Udana c Hasaranga b Jayden Seales 0(1)
SLC
SLC