By Srian Obeyesekere
Sri Lanka suffered their second successive defeat to India by 7 wickets with the visitors, set a revised DLS target of 78 in 8 overs in the rain affected game, getting home on 81 for 3 with 9 balls to spare to already clinching the 3-match series at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
The Indians once again made light of the contest in displaying their superiority making to look the Lankan side sub-standard in all departments of the game as the hosts, put into bat, were found wanting in a stutter on the batting front with only one drop Kusal Janith Perera lacing 53 off 34 with 6 boundaries and 2 over the top and Pathum Nissanka 32 off 24 with 5 boundaries living up to expectations with halfhearted knocks by the rest once again proving to the Lankan downfall with Dasun Shanaka on whom much selector dependance has been placed going for his second first ball duck bowled by Ravi Bishnoi as well as Wanindu Hasaranga in a a repeat first ball duck to 23-year old leg spinner Bishnoi who was to quickly assert himself as India’s new find with the ball while skipper Charith Asalanka was disappointing falling for 14 to Arshdeep Singh who had him caught by Samson. Bishnoi capped his 31st T20 appearance with Player of the Match figures of 3 for 26.
Given the rain affected situation, the new look Indian batting composition proved too much for the Lankan attack to quickly sealing the series under new captain Suryakumar Yadav who struck 26 off 12 balls hitting 5 boundaries and a six after upfront Yashasvi Jaiswal had set the tempo with a 15-ball 30 laced with 2 over the top and 3 boundaries despite the early 12 for 1 loss of Sanju Samson who was bowled by Maheesh Theekshana for a first ball duck in the second over. Next in Yadav added 39 for the second wicket with Jaiswal before falling victim to Matheesha Pathirana who had him caught by Dasun Shanaka with the score 51 after 4.2 overs. Wanindu Hasaranga claimed the third Indian wicket sending back Jaiswal who gave Shanaka his second catch, but from 65 for 3 after 5.4, India sauntered with Hardik Pandya 22 off 9 with 3 boundaries and a six putting the finishing touches along with Rishabh Pant on 2.
CHIEF SCORES
Sri Lanka 161/9 (20 Overs (Pathum Nissanka 32, Kusal Mendis 10, Kusal Janith Perera 53, Kamindu Mendis 26, Charith Asalanka 14, Arshdeep Singh 2/24, Axar Patel 2/30, Ravi Bishnoi 3/26, Hardik Pandya 2/23)
India (revised target 78 in 8 Overs) 81/3 (6.3 Overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 30, l Suryakumar Yadav 26, Hardik Pandya n.o. 22, Maheesh Theekshana 1/16, Matheesha Pathirana 1/18, Wanindu Hasaranga 1/34)