The match had suddenly come alive till Perera fell to a reverse-sweep four overs before new ball. And then, in the first over with the new ball, Ishant Sharma, the much-maligned fast bowler, removed Mathews for his 200th Test wicket. Sharma ended with 3-32 in 19 overs, with an economy rate of 1.68, paving the way for India's win by by 117 runs, their first away series win in four years and their first in Sri Lanka in 22 years. Sharma had taken 5-54 in the first
In the three-match series, Sharma took 15 wickets and consistently performed at crucial stages to help India win the last two matches. This, however, didn't seem enough for the social media to fully accept that the long-haired bowler is back in form and, as always, it took to humour to celebrate India's victory while passing on some sardonic ones to Sharma's hair and his antics on the field. Here's a selection:
"Hi my name is Rangana Herath.. Full name Herath Mudiyanselage Rangana Keerthi Bandara Herath." Ishant Sharma- pic.twitter.com/dOqtKsh3gk
— Silly mid-off (@Sarcaism) August 31, 2015
Ishant Sharma combing his hair on the field pic.twitter.com/wimMOn8qwl
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) August 31, 2015
"Ishant, agar hum jeet nahi paaye to Shastri aur Kohli hamara kya karenge?" Ishant: pic.twitter.com/wimMOn8qwl
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) September 1, 2015
You: Khaana mast tha yahan ka.. arre tum log kahan chale? Your friends: Bhai, aaj tu bill pay kar de! You: pic.twitter.com/wimMOn8qwl
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) September 1, 2015
Bhai tu bowling par dhyaan de. Nana Patekar mat ban pic.twitter.com/y7s1oNeU2i
— dorku (@Dorkstar) August 31, 2015
Ravi Shastri when told even 4th result is possible. pic.twitter.com/WJdCWpLFba
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) August 30, 2015
It's Sharma who has contributed for #INDvsSL Win 1. Ishant Sharma with bowl 2. Rohit Sharma with bat 3. Anushka Sharma for not visiting SL.
— Chicken Biryani (@ChickenBiryanii) September 1, 2015
Now it's perfect time to Change the name of "Kariyawasam Tirana Gamage Dammika Prasad" Road to "Ishant Sharma" Road in Sri Lanka.
— Silly mid-off (@Sarcaism) September 1, 2015
200 Test wickets for ISHANT SHARMA #INDvsSL #slvsind pic.twitter.com/kqTChvcXR4
— राहुल पवार (@rrptweets) September 1, 2015
Whatever anyone says, Ishant Sharma is still the best long haired seamer India's ever had.
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) September 1, 2015
During this Ind-Sri series, Ishant Sharma has undergone some major metamorphosis; now he has become Ashant Sharma
— Bhak Sala (@bhak_sala) September 1, 2015
During this Ind-Sri series, Ishant Sharma has undergone some major metamorphosis; now he has become Ashant Sharma
— Bhak Sala (@bhak_sala) September 1, 2015
KRA India's tailenders outbatted the Lankan tailenders.
— devangshudatta (@devangshudatta) September 1, 2015
After Hardik Patel's speech, Ishant Sharma turned to Ishant Patel & demanding dat batsmen should score atleast 10 runs frm his over, nt less
— शनाया (आरक्षण) (@Sinceere_Angel) August 25, 2015
Undertaker after taking slimming capsules. pic.twitter.com/vPSin9YhyD
— Pinku (@LEDtvn) September 1, 2015
Hahaha... True... #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/VrBOvZaY4P
— VamsiKaka (@vamsikaka) September 1, 2015
The Kind of a day when Virat hugs and kisses a Sharma and it's not Anushka. #IshantTheGod #INDvsSL
— Rofl Gandhi (@RoflGandhi_) September 1, 2015
During this Ind-Sri series, Ishant Sharma has undergone some major metamorphosis; now he has become Ashant Sharma
— Bhak Sala (@bhak_sala) September 1, 2015
Ishant Sharma rediscovering that form which made him such a phenomenon in recent years: Bowls 3 no-balls in an over.
— The UnReal Times (@TheUnRealTimes) August 30, 2015
Shastri's reaction when told Cheteshwar Pujara may get Man Of the Match. pic.twitter.com/WJdCWpLFba
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) August 31, 2015
Ishant Sharma's improved bowling proves that making fun of a person on twitter can actually motivate him. Lets keep trying on Rahul Gandhi.
— oldschoolmonk (@oldschoolmonk) September 1, 2015
@coolfunnytshirt Rohit Sharma after reading your troll tweets!! pic.twitter.com/1e6cRckJH2
— Roy! (@MyselfRoy) August 29, 2015
Daya's reaction when told about Rohit Sharma's Arjuna Award pic.twitter.com/tmYwdcFz4z
— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) August 29, 2015
A test series win after 22yrs in Sri Lanka, Virtar Kohli the new Ram and Ishant Sharma is the Hanuman
— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) September 1, 2015
Ishant Sharma's improved bowling proves that making fun of a person on twitter can actually motivate him. Lets keep trying on Rahul Gandhi.
— oldschoolmonk (@oldschoolmonk) September 1, 2015