Tuesday, October 14, 2025
India’s makeover wins the T20I series versus Sri Lanka.

India’s makeover wins the T20I series versus Sri Lanka.

KANDY, JULY 28 : In a rather predictable display of their batting prowess, India effortlessly pursued a revised target of 78 runs, thereby securing victory and clinching the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka on Sunday. Despite two-time rain interruptions, the match proceeded with minimal surprises.

Opting to field first, India, under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, immediately placed Sri Lanka under significant pressure. Kusal Mendis was dismissed early for a mere 10 runs, yet a partnership between Pathum Nissanka (32) and Kusal Perera (53) contributed 54 essential runs, ostensibly laying a robust foundation for Sri Lanka.

Perera’s aggressive half-century, which included a notable six off Hardik Pandya, briefly suggested Sri Lankan dominance. However, India’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Ravi Bishnoi (3/26) and Hardik Pandya (2/23), promptly engineered a collapse. Bishnoi’s lbw dismissal of Nissanka and Pandya’s decisive over, which yielded two wickets including Perera’s, effectively shifted the momentum.

Former captain Dasun Shanaka’s unfortunate streak continued as he was bowled for a first-ball duck by Bishnoi, narrowly missing a hat-trick. Consequently, Sri Lanka’s promising position at 130/2 deteriorated to a subpar total of 161/9, courtesy of a dramatic seven-wicket downfall for merely 31 runs.

Bishnoi and Pandya collectively claimed five wickets, while Axar Patel added two more in the concluding over, restricting Sri Lanka’s scoring opportunities.

In pursuit of a revised target of 78 runs in 8 overs due to rain delays, India commenced assertively, amassing 10 runs off Shanaka’s initial over. Despite Maheesh Theekshana’s early dismissal of Sanju Samson for a duck, India remained unperturbed.

Suryakumar Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal methodically dismantled the Sri Lankan bowling attack. Suryakumar’s sweeping shots and Jaiswal’s consistent performance exerted relentless pressure on the bowlers. Although Pathirana succeeded in dismissing Suryakumar after conceding a six, India’s victory was never in jeopardy. Pandya conclusively secured the win, striking a six and three fours to complete the chase with 9 balls to spare.

This victory signifies the onset of a new era in T20 cricket for India, following the retirements of illustrious players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja post their World Cup triumph.

Conversely, Sri Lanka, now led by Charith Asalanka with interim coach Sanath Jayasuriya, faces the challenge of rebuilding after an early exit from the T20 World Cup.(UNI)

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