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Scorer: Sudeep Poojar | Commentator: Shashwat Kumar
6:55pm Right. That will be a wrap from us for this game. But the action in the LPL does not stop. In about half an hour's time, the Jaffna Kings will take on Dambulla Aura. Make sure you hop onto our coverage for that game. Until next time, this is me (Shashwat), on behalf of Ranjith and Sudeep, signing off. Goodbye, and take care!
Kusal Mendis, Galle Gladiators captain: It was a very good start in the first six overs. Udara batted really well and that is why we managed 170 runs on this pitch. (On Thushara) He was bowling very good. Imad Wasim was also bowling good. The bowling part is getting better every game.
Angelo Mathews, Colombo Stars captain: It was not a really bad game for us. We pulled it back a little bit in the first innings but gave away too many runs towards the end. We could have got that total if not for losing too many wickets in the first few overs. He (Dickwella) was cramping a little bit. He was having a virus and a fever in the last couple of days.
Lahiru Udara is the Player of the Match for his unbeaten 30-ball 45 that allowed the Gladiators to get up to 170.
Right. Time for the post-match presentation now!
6:42pm That ended up being quite a comfortable 25-run victory for the Gladiators. They batted brilliantly (for the first time this season, mind you), and then their bowlers followed it up with a clinical display. They applied the pressure in the powerplay, amped it up a touch in the middle overs and ensured that they had enough to defend towards the end.
The Gladiators were massively helped by the Stars' perplexing approach. But take nothing away from Kusal Mendis' men today. On the other hand, the Stars have plenty of introspection to indulge in. Despite having a decent batting unit, they left their charge for too late and never felt like challenging the Gladiators, especially once the spinners came into play. The Stars also have a few games in succession now, so, they will have to pull up their socks and get back to their best fairly soon.
Lakmal out in the middle now
RS Bopara c Mendis b Pradeep 46 (35b 2x4 3x6) SR: 131.42
Dickwella comes back out to join Bopara. You feel it is a little too late, though. Pradeep to bowl the final over
Lakmal, Bopara tried their best to give Colombo Kings the crown, but it wasn't to be
Jaffna Kings and Kandy Falcons are the best-represented teams in our selection
Afif Hossain has replaced the batter, who has missed his team's last five LPL games after feeling dizzy following a diving catch during their season opener
For the Gladiators captain, his team displaying high intensity on the field has been a non-negotiable
Team captain says, 'I'm just happy to get on with playing my franchise cricket'
