Asia Cup 2022: Gautam Gambhir rates Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s knock among the top 5 innings in T20 cricket

Gautam Gambhir has rated Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s knock within the Asia Cup 2022 ultimate between Sri Lanka and Pakistan among the many prime 5 innings in T20 cricket.

Rajapaksa scored an unbeaten 71 off 45 deliveries because the Lankan Lions set a 171-run goal for Babar Azam and Co. in Dubai on Sunday, September 11. Their bowlers then restricted the Males in Inexperienced to 147 to register a 23-run win.

Throughout a post-match dialogue on Star Sports activities, Gambhir was all reward for Rajapaksa’s knock, saying:

“Unbelievable as a result of every thing was towards him and regardless of that, in case you play so properly, it exhibits that centuries do not matter however the runs that win you the event matter.”

Gambhir positioned the Sri Lankan southpaw’s knock on a excessive pedestal. He reasoned:

“For those who ask me, one of many prime 5 innings in T20 cricket total throughout the globe. Fairly a number of individuals have scored a number of centuries however the state of affairs from which this knock was performed, the state of affairs by which this knock was performed and the event on which this knock was performed.”

The previous India opener elaborated:

“5 batters have been dismissed, Asia Cup ultimate, nobody had given them an opportunity and after that to take them to 170, you usually play high-risk cricket and to maintain that apart and play low-risk cricket.”

Bhanuka Rajapaksa is the Participant Of The Match of Asia Cup 2022 Last. An innings to recollect for him for a really very long time! https://t.co/E0xlHtnRdJ

Sri Lanka have been decreased to 58/5 within the ninth over after being requested to bat first. The 30-year-old left-hander then strung collectively half-century partnerships with Wanindu Hasaranga (36) and Chamika Karunaratne (14*) to assist his facet put up a defendable rating.

“Nobody can educate that” – Gautam Gambhir on Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s final six over cowl

Bhanuka Rajapaksa played a few breathtaking shots during his innings. [P/C: Twitter] — Bhanuka Rajapaksa performed a number of breathtaking photographs throughout his innings. [P/C: Twitter]

Whereas praising the Punjab Kings (PBKS) batter for his improved displaying towards tempo, Gambhir was significantly in awe of the final six he hit. The cricketer-turned-commentator mentioned:

“Earlier than this, it was mentioned about Bhanuka that he performs spin properly. However at present the best way he performed towards the quick bowling and three quick bowlers who bowl at a pace of greater than 140 kph, he performed until the top. The final six he hit over the covers, that’s pure means, nobody can educate that.”

Rajapaksa struck six fours and three sixes throughout his unbeaten 71-run knock. He smoked the final ball of the Sri Lankan innings bowled by Naseem Shah over further cowl for an imposing most.