VIDEO: Lakshan Sandakan outwits AB de Villiers with his chinaman

Sri Lanka’s new spinner, Laskshan Sandakan, picked up the wicket of arguably the best active batsman in world cricket with a ripper on the 1st of February, 2017 during the 2nd ODI between Sri Lanka and South Africa. AB de Villiers, who was returning from a long layoff, joined Faf du Plessis after the dismissal of de Kock in the 12th over. Having picked up two early wickets, Lakshan Sandakan was brought into the attack to try to get AB de Villiers out before the supreme batsman inflicted damage on Sri Lanka.

Sandakan didn’t take too long to respond to his captain’s request. Off the last ball of his first over, the chinaman looped a leg break way outside the off stump around the good length area. Seeing the width offered, the South African skipper moved back to cut the ball, but the ball spun back sharply, cramping the batsman for room and in the process osculating the edge of the bat and settling into the keeper’s gloves.

Lakshan’s effort to dismiss a batsman, whom even the best bowlers in the world find it difficult to contain, let alone dismiss, must be commended.