Not every day does an IPL jersey come within reach for Sri Lankans, says Delhi Capitals’ Pathum Nissanka. A stage like this demands more than skill – showing up matters just as much. When chances arrive, performance becomes the only reply worth making. For players from his country, he sees the league as something close to fate knocking. Staying ready? That part never changes.
Few players sat on the sidelines hurt, yet Nissanka – born in Sri Lanka – spoke about rising to fill gaps without delay. Moments like these call for quick shifts, he said, not waiting around. The Capitals needed readiness, a mindset ready to grab what comes. He saw it as duty more than chance. Adjusting fast mattered most when others could not play. Being there, present, made difference show
“Every Sri Lankan desires to play in the IPL, and if somebody gets a chance, they need to play well. A couple of players aren’t playing because they are injured, but we are getting a chance, and we have to play well,” Nissanka told the reporters.
On Wednesday in New Delhi, Nissansa stepped up when his team needed runs against the Gujarat Titans. His 24-ball stay brought 41, built on six boundaries and one big hit over the fence.
Choosing to field initially, Delhi saw Gujarat’s captain Shubman Gill build a strong base – his 70 off 45 featured four boundaries alongside five towering sixes. Washington Sundar followed with urgency, racing to 55 from just 32 deliveries, his knock laced with six fours and two big clears of the rope. Then came Jos Buttler, brisk through 52 in only 27 balls, mixing three fours with five powerful hits into the crowd. Together, these efforts pushed Gujarat Titans to a total of 210 for 4.
Needing 211, Nissanka stood firm at the start, building momentum beside KL Rahul – 76 came up fast across eight overs. Still, Delhi’s work wasn’t enough; Gujarat edged them by a single run.
Finding rhythm early, Nissanka looked back at his time alongside Rahul, where both chose aggression right from the start. Not waiting around, they pushed hard through the power play following what they had mapped out. Sticking close to that idea, runs came steadily between them while trust grew with each over. Growing into the innings, their stand took shape without needing flashy strokes or sudden shifts.
Out on the field, it was Rahul’s steady guidance that shaped his approach across varying grounds. Believing in himself mattered just as much, though – each time he walked in to bat, effort never slipped. What stood out was how those talks off the pitch quietly built confidence when it counted.
“Rahul and I tried to dominate in the power play. I think that’s our game plan. We batted really well today. He shares his experience and gives me some tips on how to play in these venues. I try to do my best every time because I trust myself, I believe in it, and I go and do it,” he added.
Falling short here, DC now sits fourth in the standings after two victories and one defeat. Meanwhile, with just a single win against two setbacks, GT finds itself in sixth place.
