The most unusual thing happened in the 3rd ODI between Sri Lanka and India at Pallekele as MS Dhoni was seen napping on the ground. The incident happened after the completion of the 44th over during India’s chase of 217 when the crowd intervened and hurled bottled onto the field.
There was absolute chaos on the ground as all the players gathered in the middle. The Sri Lankan crowd wasn’t pleased with its team’s lackluster performance as it was on its way to losing the 3rd ODI in a row. Just when 8 runs were required from 6 overs, India had the centurion Rohit Sharma and the half-centurion MS Dhoni at the crease.
India were cruising towards the 3rd win a row that would give them the series win. But the cowardly act of the public in the stadium halted the match. As the match officials and security forces went around to take control, Dhoni took the opportunity to relax and lay on the ground.
He stayed in that position for quite a while and it seemed as if he took a quick power nap. Those were never seen before visuals on a cricket field. There was no action in the game and after waiting for a while, the players shook hands and went back to the dressing room.
Just when it seemed that the match was awarded to India, the umpires and players walked back to the ground. The troublemakers were removed from the ground and the 2 Indian batsmen gathered the required 8 runs and took India to the victory. The win meant that India clinched the series and gained an unassailable lead. Rohit scored an unbeaten 124 while Dhoni made 67 not out as India won the match by 6 wickets.
But the spectacle of the match remains the scenes of Dhoni napping on the ground. The Twitteratis, as usual, were quick to pounce on the opportunity.
Here are some of the hilarious tweets:
Pic of the Day – MS Dhoni takes a nap after crowd disturbance during the #SLvIND 3rd ODI
PC – @Madan_Chikna pic.twitter.com/DhW2TA4E3s
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) August 27, 2017
Me in the morning: Bass 5 minute aur.. pic.twitter.com/E0N4fNSryX
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) August 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/CricCrazyNIKS/status/901848922905337856
When you've been successfully carrying the international team for 13 years and people still ask for your retirement : pic.twitter.com/z4VCYyTyEJ
— Manya (@CSKian716) August 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/its_tabrez_4u/status/901853980103290881
https://twitter.com/FlawedSenorita/status/901850375749173248
Dhoni catches his nap in the middle of the ground. pic.twitter.com/FRXDAVsVrl
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) August 27, 2017
Me : I got lots of work to do, exams to write and assignments to submit on Monday.
Me on Sunday : pic.twitter.com/m2xCPnf6gX— V. (@iLazyLad) August 27, 2017
When bae says "everyone's at home". pic.twitter.com/dxxDNEejAe
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) August 27, 2017
While Sindhu was given a yellow card for spending a minute extra getting her breath back, Dhoni is taking a nap on ground. Diff sports 😂 pic.twitter.com/HviyPan90P
— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) August 27, 2017
Dhoni when Sakshi says bas 5 min mein ready ho ke aati hoon. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/rM2HPSWBQD
— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) August 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/Cricprabhu/status/901851160742469632
Itni raat tak match kheloge to neend to aayegi hi pic.twitter.com/AdbDRpAvml
— ᴋᴀᴍʟᴇsʜ sɪɴɢʜ / tau (@kamleshksingh) August 27, 2017
Sach me soya hai ya nautanki kar raha hai meri tarah……!!#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/9Qskyffz5S
— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) August 27, 2017
Dhoni getting ready for #NewIndia pic.twitter.com/5WA6JKxdMM
— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) August 27, 2017
Jharkhandi nidra…
Hilarious collection at one spot