After a clinical performance from the bowlers, Indian batsmen made sure there were any lapses as the side completed a comprehensive 7-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the second T20 international in Indore on Tuesday, 7 January.
Chasing 143 for a win, Indian openers KL Rahul (45) and Shikhar Dhawan (32) gave India the perfect start. After the departure of both the openers, Shreyas Iyer, who was promoted up the batting order, along with skipper Virat Kohli saw India home.
Unfortunately, Shreyas fell for 34 runs with only 6 runs needed for a win. But, skipper Virat Kohli won the match with a six as he remained unbeaten on 30.
Earlier after putting Sri Lanka to bat, Shardul Thakur (3/23), Navdeep Saini (2/18) starred with the ball while Kuldeep Yadav also accounted for 2 wickets but he leaked 38 runs in his 4 overs.
Shardul picked up all his three wickets in his final over of the match. In the 19th over, he first dismissed Dhananjaya de Silva (17) off the second delivery of the over. His next two wickets of Isuru Udana (1) and Lasith Malinga (0) came off consecutive deliveries at the end of the over but since it was his last over he missed a hat-trick.
Navdeep Saini was excellent in his four overs. He gave the side two crucial breakthroughs for only 18 runs.
Kuldeep Yadav came back strongly twice in the match to pick two crucial wickets of Oshada Fernando and Kusal Perera in his first two overs. Kuldeep started both the overs going for a six but managed to have the last laugh.
Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah, who is returning after an injury lay-off, had a quiet outing in Indore. He accounted for one wicket after giving away 32 runs.
The first match of the three-match series was a wash-out without a ball being bowled at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday.
After heavy rains delayed the start of play in Guwahati, the umpires held several inspections but the damp patches on the pitch did not allow the match to start. The groundsmen used vacuum drier, roller and even hair dryer and steam iron to remove the damp patches on the pitch, but it did not help much.
“It’s a brilliant batting track. Pretty much on track, the main focus is to see youngsters take up the pressure - need to see who can do that, in big games, we need 11 fit players ready to go,” said Virat Kohli at the toss in Indore.
“There is healthy competition within the group. KL and Shikhar are brilliant players, vying for one spot. It's all about doing what's best for the team,” added the Indian skipper.
Meanwhile, the hosts have decided to rest vice-captain Rohit Sharma and seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. In-form pacer Deepak Chahar is ruled out due to an injury.
India have never lost a bilateral T20 series against Sri Lanka.
Playing XI
India: Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli(c), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(w), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah
Sri Lanka: Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera(w), Oshada Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Lasith Malinga (c).
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