By Srian Obeyesekere
New look India outplayed Sri Lanka to a comprehensive 3-0 T20 Series success with the hosts batting vulnerability once again exposed by crashing from a winning 110 for 2 high to being bowled out for 137 in a tied contest that was won by the visitors with ease in the super over with skipper Suryakumar Yadav hitting the very first delivery to the boundary after Sri Lanka made a dismal 2 for 2 with Washington Sundar claiming both wickets to Player of the Match (25 and 2/23) all-round feat last night at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium.
Sundar had Kusal Janith Perera, Sri Lanka’s top scorer of 46, caught by Ravi Bishnoi off the second delivery of the super over and a ball later had Pathum Nissanka caught by Rinku Singh for a first ball duck.
The Lankans haunting let down batting hoodoo dismayingly negated a fine bowling performance by the host team’s bowlers in pegging down India to 137 for 9 in 20 overs having opted to field on winning the toss with Maheesh Theekshana starring with 3 wickets for 28 and Wanindu Hasaranga 2 for 29 with none of the Indian batsmen going past 30.
It was another frustrating sight to home fans to witnessing their team losing its way from a winning 110 for 2 after 15.2 overs to 137 for 8 with the good work of openers Kusal Mendis 43 off 41 (3×4) and Pathum Nissanka run a ball 26 (5×4) in adding 58 off 8.5 overs, and Kusal Janith Perera 46 off 34 (5×4) once again spoilt by the pathetic performance by the rest of the recognised batsmen with Wanindu Hasaranga 3, skipper Charith Asalanka once again failing going for a first ball duck, Ramesh Mendis 3, Kamindu Mendis 1 and new boy Chamindu Wickramasinghe 4 in that order.
India’s foursome of Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Rinku Singh and Suryakumar Yadav took 2 wickets apiece.
CHIEF SCORES:
India 137/9 (20 Overs) (Shubman Gill 39, Shivanm Dube 13, Yashasvi Jaiswal 10, Riyan Parag 26, Washington Sundar 25, Maheesh Theekshana 3/28, Wanindu Hasaranga 2/29, Asitha Fernando 1/11, Chamindu Wickramasinghe 1/17, Ramesh Mendis 1/26)
Sri Lanka 137/8 (20 Overs) (Kusal Janith Perera 46, Kusal Mendis 43, Pathum Nissanka 26, Rinku Singh 2/3, Suryakumar 2/5, Washington Sundar 2/23, Ravi Bishnoi 2/38)
Super Over Sri Lanka 2/2 (Kusal Mendis 1, Kusal Janith Perera 0, Pathum Nissanka 0, extras w.1, Washington Sundar 2/2)
Super Over India 4/0 (Suryakumar Yadav n.o. 4, Shubman Gill n.o. 0)
