Sri Lanka batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa has compared his team's rivalry with Bangladesh in cricket to that of arch-rivals India and Pakistan. Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by two wickets in a thrilling encounter in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 on Thursday to knock them out of the tournament.

India and Pakistan share one of the greatest rivalries in the history of cricket. It is a blockbuster affair when the two teams meet irrespective of the competition. Rajapaksa believes the rivalry between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh has also intensified over the years and brings the fans on the edge of their seats.

There were several heated moments between the two teams as they locked horns in the Asia Cup on Thursday. They were also involved in war of words off the pitch and Sri Lankan all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne added fuel to the fire by pulling off the 'Naagin dance' (snake dance) in the dugout&nbsp;after his team's 2-wicket win in Dubai.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/huge-blow-for-india-as-ravindra-jadeja-ruled-out-of-asia-cup-2022-axar-patel-named-replacement-512390">Ravindra&nbsp;Jadeja ruled out of Asia Cup 2022, Axar Patel named replacement</a>

Speaking about the rivalry between the two teams, Rajapaksa said it is like when India and Pakistan play each other. "It's like India-Pakistan playing. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are rivals. But we are really good friends off the field," the Sri Lankan batter said in the post-match presser.

It was a valiant effort from Sri Lanka as they didn't head into the game as favourites. They even ended up conceding 183 runs after winning the toss and opting to bowl first. However, a brilliant knock of 60 runs from wicket-keeper batter Kusal Mendis and captain Dasun Shanaka's 33-ball 45 helped them chase down the target of 184 runs with four balls to spare.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-sri-lankan-player-does-bizarre-dance-to-mock-bangladesh-after-knocking-them-out-of-asia-cup-2022-512311">WATCH - Sri Lankan player does bizarre dance to mock Bangladesh after knocking them out of Asia Cup 2022</a>

Rajapaksa believes the win will serve as a huge confidence booster for the Sri Lankan players ahead of the Super Four stage. Explaining the secret behind their good show against Bangladesh, the batter said playing together in the last few months has brought the team closer.

"We are happy because after winning a game, it's quite thrilling and what we need is winning games. We came here to justify ourselves to the UAE. This tournament was supposed to be held in Sri Lanka, but unfortunately, with the situation back home, we couldn't keep it in Sri Lanka," said Rajapaksa.

"But with all the experience that the players have gained playing together in the last maybe 12 or 15 months, it has brought us much closer as a team," he added.

Sri Lanka batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa has compared his team's rivalry with Bangladesh in cricket to that of arch-rivals India and Pakistan. Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by two wickets in a thrilling encounter in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 on Thursday to knock them out of the tournament.

Sri Lanka batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa has compared his team's rivalry with Bangladesh in cricket to that of arch-rivals India and Pakistan. Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by two wickets in a thrilling encounter in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 on Thursday to knock them out of the tournament. India and Pakistan share one of the greatest rivalries in the history of cricket. It is a blockbuster affair when the two teams meet irrespective of the competition. Rajapaksa believes the rivalry between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh has also intensified over the years and brings the fans on the edge of their seats. There were several heated moments between the two teams as they locked horns in the Asia Cup on Thursday. They were also involved in war of words off the pitch and Sri Lankan all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne added fuel to the fire by pulling off the 'Naagin dance' (snake dance) in the dugout after his team's 2-wicket win in Dubai. Also Read: Ravindra Jadeja ruled out of Asia Cup 2022, Axar Patel named replacement Speaking about the rivalry between the two teams, Rajapaksa said it is like when India and Pakistan play each other. "It's like India-Pakistan playing. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are rivals. But we are really good friends off the field," the Sri Lankan batter said in the post-match presser. It was a valiant effort from Sri Lanka as they didn't head into the game as favourites. They even ended up conceding 183 runs after winning the toss and opting to bowl first. However, a brilliant knock of 60 runs from wicket-keeper batter Kusal Mendis and captain Dasun Shanaka's 33-ball 45 helped them chase down the target of 184 runs with four balls to spare. Also Read: WATCH - Sri Lankan player does bizarre dance to mock Bangladesh after knocking them out of Asia Cup 2022 Rajapaksa believes the win will serve as a huge confidence booster for the Sri Lankan players ahead of the Super Four stage. Explaining the secret behind their good show against Bangladesh, the batter said playing together in the last few months has brought the team closer. "We are happy because after winning a game, it's quite thrilling and what we need is winning games. We came here to justify ourselves to the UAE. This tournament was supposed to be held in Sri Lanka, but unfortunately, with the situation back home, we couldn't keep it in Sri Lanka," said Rajapaksa. "But with all the experience that the players have gained playing together in the last maybe 12 or 15 months, it has brought us much closer as a team," he added.

Asia Cup 2022: Bangladesh-Sri Lanka rivalry is like India vs Pakistan, says Lankan batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa

MS Dhoni produced another magical moment from behind the wickets during Chennai Super Kings (CSK)'s clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the ongoing Indin Premier League (IPL) 2022 on Sunday (April 03). The veteran wicket-keeper came up with a stunning effort to run out Bhanuka Rajapaksa leaving the fans in awe of his speed and agility.

The dismissal took place in the second over of Punjab Kings' innings after CSK skipper Ravindra Jadeja won the toss and invited them to bat first. PBKS lost opener Mayank Agarwal cheaply on 4 runs in the very first over as the skipper failed to notch up a big score.

Rajapaksa came out to bat at number three and smacked a huge six to move to 9 off 5 balls before getting run out. On the second ball of the second over from Chris Jordan, Rajapaksa pushed the ball towards off side and tried to steal a single.

However, Jordan was quick to collect the ball and throw it towards Dhoni, who made a quick sprint and pulled off a brilliant diving effort to take the stumps down. It was a sensational effort from the 40-year-old as he rolled back the clock for his fans.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2022-ms-dhoni-completes-350-t20s-joins-rohit-sharma-in-elite-list-against-punjab-kings-468014">MS Dhoni completes 350 T20s, joins Rohit Sharma in elite list against Punjab Kings</a>

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It was a Jonty Rhodes-like effort from Dhoni, who showed great presence of mind and had started sprinting towards the wicket as soon as he saw Jordan collect the ball on the other end. The former CSK skipper showcased great athleticism and beat Rajapaksa with his speed to take down the wickets before the PBKS batter could make it back.

After losing both Mayank and Rajapaksa cheaply, Punjab Kings found themselves in trouble early in their innings but opener Shikhar Dhawan (33) and Liam Livingstone (60) combined to put on a 95-run stand for the third wicket to set the stage for a big total for their side.

MS Dhoni produced another magical moment from behind the wickets during Chennai Super Kings (CSK)'s clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the ongoing Indin Premier League (IPL) 2022 on Sunday (April 03).

MS Dhoni produced another magical moment from behind the wickets during Chennai Super Kings (CSK)'s clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the ongoing Indin Premier League (IPL) 2022 on Sunday (April 03). The veteran wicket-keeper came up with a stunning effort to run out Bhanuka Rajapaksa leaving the fans in awe of his speed and agility. The dismissal took place in the second over of Punjab Kings' innings after CSK skipper Ravindra Jadeja won the toss and invited them to bat first. PBKS lost opener Mayank Agarwal cheaply on 4 runs in the very first over as the skipper failed to notch up a big score. Rajapaksa came out to bat at number three and smacked a huge six to move to 9 off 5 balls before getting run out. On the second ball of the second over from Chris Jordan, Rajapaksa pushed the ball towards off side and tried to steal a single. However, Jordan was quick to collect the ball and throw it towards Dhoni, who made a quick sprint and pulled off a brilliant diving effort to take the stumps down. It was a sensational effort from the 40-year-old as he rolled back the clock for his fans. Also Read: MS Dhoni completes 350 T20s, joins Rohit Sharma in elite list against Punjab Kings Watch video: Ms Dhoni : 40 year old young man. pic.twitter.com/F0amJecvVa — MSDian Pravin (@mahi7781_______) April 3, 2022 × Run out dhoni you beauty #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/bYwD0B97HC — Cricket Gamee (@cricketgamee62) April 3, 2022 × It was a Jonty Rhodes-like effort from Dhoni, who showed great presence of mind and had started sprinting towards the wicket as soon as he saw Jordan collect the ball on the other end. The former CSK skipper showcased great athleticism and beat Rajapaksa with his speed to take down the wickets before the PBKS batter could make it back. After losing both Mayank and Rajapaksa cheaply, Punjab Kings found themselves in trouble early in their innings but opener Shikhar Dhawan (33) and Liam Livingstone (60) combined to put on a 95-run stand for the third wicket to set the stage for a big total for their side.

MS Dhoni sprints to run out Bhanuka Rajapaksa with a stunning effort in CSK vs PBKS clash - WATCH

Virat Kohli is one of the fittest crickets in the world and has been an inspiration for several young players, who look up to the former India and Royal Challengers Bangalore captain. Kohli's love and dedication to fitness is a secret to none and his work ethic has been praised by many.

Kohli was not the fittest of cricketers when he had started out for Team India in international cricket but brought several changes in his lifestyle and diet to undergo a stunning transformation. One of the best batters in the world at present, Kohli has been one of the most consistent performers for his teams across all formats.

Recently, Sri Lankan batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who is playing for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, heaped praise on Kohli. The Punjab Kings star is looking forward to meeting Kohli and getting some advice for him on fitness having been dropped from the Sri Lankan team earlier this year due to fitness issues.

Rajapaksa also called Kohli the Cristiano Ronaldo of cricket, comparing the Indian superstar with the Portuguese football icon. Even at 37, Ronaldo remains one of the fittest athletes in the world and continues to break records for his club and country.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/expecting-600-runs-from-virat-kohli-in-ipl-2022-rcb-legend-makes-bold-prediction-for-former-skipper-466934">Expecting 600-plus runs from Virat Kohli in IPL 2022: RCB legend makes bold prediction for former skipper</a>

"Outside of the team, Virat Kohli is always someone I could speak to and get some advice on fitness. He’s at another different level when it comes to fitness. To me, he is the Cristiano Ronaldo of cricket for sure. The work he puts in, you can obviously see the results. You can compare him to anyone when it comes to fitness or even skills-wise. He plays so hard and you can learn a lot by talking to him," Rajapaksa told PTI in an interview.

The Sri Lankan batter, who impressed on his IPL debut with a crucial knock of 22-ball 43 against RCB in their opening game, stressed the importance of fitness for cricketers and said he has been working hard on his body to ensure he can be on top of his game.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/would-be-great-to-see-virat-kohli-babar-azam-open-in-ipl-akhtar-predicts-price-tag-of-pakistan-captain-466900">Would be great to see Virat Kohli, Babar Azam open in IPL: Akhtar predicts price tag of Pakistan captain</a>

"As a player, you need your fitness but it could be different from person to person. For me, of course, skill comes first and then the fitness. But if you are not fit enough, you definitely can’t perform. I’m actually working hard on my fitness. Whenever I get a free day I hit the gym early in the morning," said Rajapaksa.

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Virat Kohli is one of the fittest crickets in the world and has been an inspiration for several young players, who look up to the former India and Royal Challengers Bangalore captain.

Virat Kohli is one of the fittest crickets in the world and has been an inspiration for several young players, who look up to the former India and Royal Challengers Bangalore captain. Kohli's love and dedication to fitness is a secret to none and his work ethic has been praised by many. Kohli was not the fittest of cricketers when he had started out for Team India in international cricket but brought several changes in his lifestyle and diet to undergo a stunning transformation. One of the best batters in the world at present, Kohli has been one of the most consistent performers for his teams across all formats. Recently, Sri Lankan batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who is playing for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, heaped praise on Kohli. The Punjab Kings star is looking forward to meeting Kohli and getting some advice for him on fitness having been dropped from the Sri Lankan team earlier this year due to fitness issues. Rajapaksa also called Kohli the Cristiano Ronaldo of cricket, comparing the Indian superstar with the Portuguese football icon. Even at 37, Ronaldo remains one of the fittest athletes in the world and continues to break records for his club and country. Also Read: Expecting 600-plus runs from Virat Kohli in IPL 2022: RCB legend makes bold prediction for former skipper "Outside of the team, Virat Kohli is always someone I could speak to and get some advice on fitness. He’s at another different level when it comes to fitness. To me, he is the Cristiano Ronaldo of cricket for sure. The work he puts in, you can obviously see the results. You can compare him to anyone when it comes to fitness or even skills-wise. He plays so hard and you can learn a lot by talking to him," Rajapaksa told PTI in an interview. The Sri Lankan batter, who impressed on his IPL debut with a crucial knock of 22-ball 43 against RCB in their opening game, stressed the importance of fitness for cricketers and said he has been working hard on his body to ensure he can be on top of his game. Also Read: Would be great to see Virat Kohli, Babar Azam open in IPL: Akhtar predicts price tag of Pakistan captain "As a player, you need your fitness but it could be different from person to person. For me, of course, skill comes first and then the fitness. But if you are not fit enough, you definitely can’t perform. I’m actually working hard on my fitness. Whenever I get a free day I hit the gym early in the morning," said Rajapaksa.

Virat Kohli is Cristiano Ronaldo of cricket: Punjab Kings star lavishes praise on former RCB skipper

Ten days after announcing retirement, Sri Lanka batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa on Thursday withdrew his decision, saying he wants to play again for the nation. 
 
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that left-handed batter Rajapaksa has withdrawn his retirement. "Pursuant to a meeting with Namal Rajapaksa, Minister of Youth and Sports and after consulting with the National Selectors, Bhanuka Rajapaksa has notified SLC that he wishes to withdraw his resignation which he tendered to SLC on 3rd Jan. 2022, with immediate effect," the board said in an official statement. 
 
"In his letter to SLC withdrawing his resignation, he further states that he wishes to represent his country in the game he loves for the years to come," added the statement.

Read Also |&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/sports/watch-virat-kohli-inspires-indian-dugout-to-relentlessly-cheer-for-pacers-on-day-2-of-3rd-test-444404">WATCH: Virat Kohli inspires Indian dugout to relentlessly cheer for pacers on Day 2 of 3rd Test</a> 
 
Many Sri Lanka players including Lasith Malinga had urged him to reconsider the retirement decision. 
 
Rajapaksa made his T20I debut on October 5, 2019, in the tour of Pakistan. His ODI career lasted less than six months as he had made his debut in July 2021. 
 
The left-handed batsman has played five ODIs and 18 T20Is for Sri Lanka. He has scored 89 and 320 runs at an average of 17.80 and 26.66 respectively.

Read Also |<a href="http://13.235.153.162/sports/ind-vs-sa-gavaskar-shares-how-ravi-shastri-inspired-speedster-md-shamis-revival-in-test-cricket-in-2018-444390">&nbsp;Ind vs SA: Gavaskar shares how Ravi Shastri inspired speedster Md Shami's revival in Test cricket in 2018</a> 
 
"I have very carefully considered my position as a player, husband and am taking this decision looking forward to fatherhood and associated familial obligations," Rajapaksa had written in his resignation letter. 
 
Notably, Rajapaksa got into trouble for criticising selection policies in an interview after being left out for fitness concerns and was handed a suspended one-year ban. He returned to feature in last year`s T20 World Cup, where he scored a match-winning half-century against Bangladesh in the Super 12 stage.

Ten days after announcing retirement, Sri Lanka batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa on Thursday withdrew his decision, saying he wants to play again for the nation. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that left-handed batter Rajapaksa has withdrawn his retirement.

Ten days after announcing retirement, Sri Lanka batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa on Thursday withdrew his decision, saying he wants to play again for the nation. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that left-handed batter Rajapaksa has withdrawn his retirement. "Pursuant to a meeting with Namal Rajapaksa, Minister of Youth and Sports and after consulting with the National Selectors, Bhanuka Rajapaksa has notified SLC that he wishes to withdraw his resignation which he tendered to SLC on 3rd Jan. 2022, with immediate effect," the board said in an official statement. "In his letter to SLC withdrawing his resignation, he further states that he wishes to represent his country in the game he loves for the years to come," added the statement. Read Also | WATCH: Virat Kohli inspires Indian dugout to relentlessly cheer for pacers on Day 2 of 3rd Test Many Sri Lanka players including Lasith Malinga had urged him to reconsider the retirement decision. Rajapaksa made his T20I debut on October 5, 2019, in the tour of Pakistan. His ODI career lasted less than six months as he had made his debut in July 2021. The left-handed batsman has played five ODIs and 18 T20Is for Sri Lanka. He has scored 89 and 320 runs at an average of 17.80 and 26.66 respectively. Read Also | Ind vs SA: Gavaskar shares how Ravi Shastri inspired speedster Md Shami's revival in Test cricket in 2018 "I have very carefully considered my position as a player, husband and am taking this decision looking forward to fatherhood and associated familial obligations," Rajapaksa had written in his resignation letter. Notably, Rajapaksa got into trouble for criticising selection policies in an interview after being left out for fitness concerns and was handed a suspended one-year ban. He returned to feature in last year`s T20 World Cup, where he scored a match-winning half-century against Bangladesh in the Super 12 stage.