Former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni revolutionised wicketkeeping using his unorthodox techniques to pull off stumpings, run-outs and stop runs. Dhoni is also known for no-look run-outs when the throw from the fielder is not accurate. Now, other wicketkeepers have followed suit as well. Kusal Mendis is the latest entrant as he ran out Galle Titans’ Lahiru Samarakoon with a no-look throw in Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 encounter for Dambulla Aura.
The incident took place in the final over of Galle's innings. Binura Fernando bowled a low full toss on the legs. Samarakoon worked it towards square leg and tried to sneak an extra run. Sadeera Samarawickrama's throw was off-target but fast. Mendis moved across, collected the ball, and threw it at the ball in one quick motion to catch Samarakoon short of the crease.
After Samarakoon, Mendis ran out tailender Kasun Rajitha in the same over as well. Titans avoided getting bowled out but posted a below par total of 133/9.
None of the Galle's batters were able to post a big score on the board. A few batters got starts but failed to convert them. Skipper Dasun Shanaka was the top run-scorer for his side with a 26-ball 36.
In the run chase, Mendis struggled to get going and scored 18 runs from 24 balls. He was dismissed by Lahiru Kumara. But Mendis' opening partner Avishka Fernando anchored the run chase with an unbeaten 49-ball 70 to guide Aura to a seven-wicket win with 14 balls to spare.
“Happy to be at the top of the table. We misread the pitch. Better pitches would help the tournament,” the Dambulla skipper said in the post-match presentation.
However, Aura are second on the points table with four wins from eight games. They are slightly behind B-Love Kandy who have won four games as well but with a better net run rate (NRR).
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