Gurukula College took a huge step closer towards recording their second successive Big Match victory when they build up a good first innings lead on the opening day of their 26th annual Battle of Keleniya inter school cricket encounter against the traditional rivals Dharmaloka College which commenced at the R. Premadasa Stadium today.
After bundling out their opponents for a mere 121 runs having elected to field first Gurukula College then went on to consolidate their position and to reach a healthy 183 runs which gave them a crucial first innings lead of 62 runs.
Even then this was a superb fight back by Dharmaloka College as they never allowed their opponents to dictate terms and prevented them from piling up a big total by capturing wickets at regular intervals.
In fact Gurukula College would have really struggled to overtake their opponents total if not for another splendid century from Hashan Dumindu who played a true captains innings under tremendous pressure.
The elegant middle order batsman and the fifth year coloursman who has the knack of rising to the big occasion produced another magnificent batting performance and to make a top score of 105 runs from 115 deliveries with the help of one six and eleven boundaries.
The former Sri Lanka youth cap played the sheet anchor role while keeping one end occupied and also figured in a vital partnership with last year’s skipper Roshan Anuruddha after the Dharmaloka spinners Thiwanka Kekulugoda and Nishan Hasarel (3 for 54) had threatened to ripped through their innings.
In fact newcomer Thiwanka Kekulugoda was quite outstanding as he bowled his heart out to put his team back in the game with a penetrative spell of bowling which enabled him to finish with a five wicket haul.
Together with his partner Nishan Hasarel (3 for 54) they ensured that Gurukula College would not run away with the game and were able to strike hard whenever the batsmen threatened to take control of the situation.
Earlier Gurukula College made the correct decision to field first on a bowler friendly surface and they justified it by dismissing their rivals for just 121 runs with Jayamal Wanniarachchi (3 for 32), Roshan Anuruddha (3 for 26) and Hashan Dumindu (3 for 48) sharing the wickets.
Dharmaloka College: 121 (Kusal Ashen 39, Tharindu Madushanka 20, Roshan Anuruddha 3 for 26, Hashan Dumindu 3 for 48, Jayamal Wanniarachchi 3 for 32)
Gurukula College: 183 (Hashan Dumindu 105, Roshan Anuruddha 27, Thiwanka Kekulugoda 5 for 53, Nishan Hasarel 3 for 54)
