Suryakumar dazzled with a 26-ball 58, contributing to India’s total of 213 for 7, which was aided significantly by a powerful 74-run opening partnership in just six overs between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.
The Indian bowlers then successfully limited Sri Lanka to 170 in 19.2 overs despite a spirited batting effort by the hosts.
Suryakumar led from the front with his aggressive batting, hitting eight fours and two sixes to reach his 20th T20I half-century. The foundation for India’s impressive total was laid early on by the opening pair of Jaiswal (41 off 20 balls) and Gill (34 off 15 balls), who set a blistering pace during the powerplay.
India’s bowlers later capitalized on the scoreboard pressure, with spinners Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, and rookie Riyan Parag sharing six wickets to secure the win.
Sri Lanka had a promising start with a 84-run opening stand between Kusal Mendis (45 off 27 balls) and Pathum Nissanka (79 off 47 balls). They made good use of scoring opportunities, but Mendis’s dismissal by Arshdeep Singh, who cleverly bowled a slower delivery, shifted the momentum.
As It Happened
Axar, who finished with 2 for 38 in his four overs, played a crucial role by dismissing both Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera (20) in the same over. Axar’s performance was pivotal as he managed to utilize his experience at critical moments, helping India regain control of the match.
Sri Lanka’s collapse from 149 for 2 to getting bowled out for 170 was marked by them losing seven wickets for just 21 runs.
Hardik Pandya struggled with the ball, conceding 41 runs in his four overs without taking a wicket. This placed significant pressure on the other bowlers to step up, especially in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.
Bishnoi was effective in his spell, taking 1 for 37 in four overs. He claimed a crucial wicket by dismissing Sri Lanka’s captain Charith Asalanka.
Riyan Parag, though inexperienced, made a significant impact, taking 3 for 5 in 1.2 overs, including the wicket of Kamindu Mendis, thereby rewarding skipper Suryakumar’s faith in him.
Arshdeep Singh also contributed with two wickets for 24 runs in three overs towards the end of the innings.
Suryakumar expressed his aggressive intent from the beginning, aligning his performance with his role as the team’s permanent T20 captain. His efforts along with some key contributions from Rishabh Pant (49 off 33 balls) ensured India posted a challenging score on the board.
Despite Pant struggling initially, he managed to accelerate towards the end, showcasing his capability with some audacious shots.
Jaiswal and Gill’s explosive start was characterized by a contrasting approach, with Jaiswal displaying power-hitting, while Gill impressed with his finesse.
Gill’s dismissal came off the last ball of the powerplay after he had scored 34 off 15 balls, yet by then, India had managed to reach a formidable 74-run mark in just six overs.
Jaiswal’s inability to read a well-disguised googly from Wanindu Hasaranga resulted in his dismissal, bringing Suryakumar and Pant to the crease together.
The skipper continued to maintain momentum by scoring a six and a four off Pathirana. Even when Pant was struggling to find his rhythm, Suryakumar’s aggression ensured the run rate did not drop.
Suryakumar’s innings ended when he was given out leg before wicket to a yorker from Matheesha Pathirana, but by then, India had already set a solid platform.
Pant began to find his form towards the latter part of his innings, especially noted with a helicopter shot that went for six against Asitha, followed by a boundary.
The Indian bowlers received praise for their disciplined performance during the crucial last few overs. Axar’s ability to generate breakthroughs played a vital role in India’s victory, as did the impressive spells from Bishnoi and Parag.
