http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 vs India - Spot light on Perera as Sri Lanka takes on India - Opinion
In times when Sri Lankan cricket has managed to revive itself, Thisara Perera has been the star of their revival. With a penchant for bowling in the corridor of uncertainty on a consistent basis, and depositing cricket balls out of the park, Thisara Perera
has become a revelation for a side which had to bear the brunt of criticism straight after the World Cup of 2011. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, which boasts the best batting line up in the world, should be wary about this utility cricketer from Colombo.
Perera’s strength lies in confidence and delivering regardless of whether he has the bat or ball in hand. He has numerous match winning achievements to his name, which includes a hat trick against Pakistan. In the nascent stages of his career however, he
was recognized for his explosive batting, which can come in handy during the latter stages of the innings. Yet equally significant is his record in other departments.
In 39 ODI matches that he has played for his country, Perera has a six wicket haul to his name, an average of just over 23 with the ball, a hat trick and a strike rate of 110.16 with the bat. It is shocking to say the least and hardly believable, but Perera
has risen amongst the ranks in a side which was going through a bit of a rebuilding process after the World Cup.
His monstrous hitting came to the fore in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757, when he smashed 69 off 44 deliveries to give his side something to cheer about in an otherwise disastrous tour. Sri Lanka were out of the series and for the most part of the game. His thunderous hitting
not only helped Sri Lanka get over the line but also helped in providing a 3-2 score line for the visitors.
Yet, Perera is more than a man who gives respectability when the chips are down for Sri Lanka. He is a genuine match winner when it really matters. In the recent series against Pakistan, his catching prowess helped Sri Lanka snatch the first T20 from the
jaws of defeat. Yet what cemented him as Sri Lanka’s best all rounder from the current stock of players, was his amazing bowling display which rattled Pakistan in the second ODI. A hat trick in the fourth ODI was a performance that set the tone for a Sri Lankan
series victory, where the scar of being bowled out for 244 never really evaded http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755.
These performances have made Perera the most integral player in the Sri Lankan line up which takes on India in the Micromax Cup of 2012. The problem for the Indians is that Perera is not only a good player, but is in sensational form in both departments.
The Indians might be able to relate to their own player, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Kohli-c2737, who has been playing sensationally, and currently averages 50 with the bat. In the absence of Tendulkar, Kohli is expected to fire and lead the team in terms of runs scored. For Sri Lanka
however, the onus will be on Perera to replicate his quality performances against Pakistan. Whether he would be able to do it against the finest batting line up in the world would be his real challenge.
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