A fairly one-sided series-deciding victory for India over Sri Lanka in the second T20 International that could not escape the rain fully at Pallekele. Ravi Bishnoi was the standout bowler of the match, with 26 runs and a loss of 3 wickets. This helped the visitor’s side confine the host side players to score only 161 for the loss of 9 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.
Rain was a spoiler twice. First, they delayed the start with a break of 30 overs, and then they put a stop to the play in between the Indian chase for 70 more overs. But these interruptions did not stop the Indian onslaught. They went all out and, in 8 overs, got the target of 78 runs with the help of 7 wickets.
Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal laid the foundation with a quick 30 in 15 balls, and captain Suryakumar Yadav added a useful 26 in 12 balls. Pandya, it was then, who put the final touches to the Indian score with an aggressive 22 not out off just 9 balls.
Before that, Sri Lanka’s top-order brought a decent opening platform, this time by Nissanka (32) and Kusal Perera (53) useful partnership of 54. However, Bishnoi played the +% % villain+% %, while the Axar – Hardik – Arshdeep spin trio throttled AS’S batting and restricted it to a below-par total +% %.
‘The wickets assisted the turn today and even in the first innings played a crucial part,’ said Bishnoi, who was awarded Player of the Match. ”I stick to my right line and right length effectively, and I also like bowling the wrong ‘uns and sticking to plans when coming into the bowl at the death overs.
This win makes India lead the three-match T20 series 2-0. The last match of the series will be played on Tuesday at the same venue. The T20I series will be followed by a three-match ODI series in which the two teams will compete against each other.
