India versus SL 2nd T20I: Sri Lanka level the series with a thrilling win
Thanks to good batting effort, Sri Lanka won the 2nd T20I in a thrilling manner against depleted Indian side played at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Wednesday.
Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and decided to
field first. With the likes of Hardik, Krunal Pandya and main players not available,
Gaikwad made his T20I debut and opened with Shikhar Dhawan.
The pitch had lots to offer for the spinners. Gaikwad looked
impressive along with Shikhar Dhawan taking singles and keeping the scoreboard
ticking. At the end of the first six overs, India scored 45 for 0.
After the field restrictions, Shanaka got rid of Gaikwad's
ending 49 runs opening partnership. Gaikwad made 21 off 18 balls with only 1
boundary. Devdutt Paddikal made his T20I debut too and looked in decent form. Akila
Dhananjaya, Hasaranga and Dananjaya put lid on the Indian batting. Dhawan was
clean bowled trying to hit a sweep shot off Dananjaya. Paddikal and Dhawan
added 32 runs for the 2nd wicket.
Sanju Samson struggled to time the ball while Paddikal
played decently. Paddikal and Sanju Samson went in quick succession as Hasaranga
and Dananjaya dismissed both batsmen. Samson came down the track as the ball rolled
onto the stumps. Nitish Rana and Bhuvneshwar Kumar could not boundaries at will.
Rana was caught by Dhanajaya de Silva off Chameera. India posted 132 for 5 in
20 overs.
Chasing 133 runs to win, Avishka Fernando started off well
hitting 2 boundaries off Chetan Sakaryia. Bhuvneshwar Kumar made an important breakthrough
as a superb piece fielding by Rahul Chahar at the boundary resulted in the
wicket of Avishka Fernando. Minod Bhaunka took hit Chahar for a boundary off
his first ball. Sri Lanka scored 36 for 1 at the end of the first six overs.
Varun Chakravarthy bowled a peach to dismiss Samarawickrama.
Dasun Shanaka tried to hit sweeps and reverse sweeps. The Indian captain did
not take a review for LBW. Soon after, Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Shanaka stumped
as he bowled a wide delivery. After being dropped by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep
Yadav struck immediately to dismiss the dangerous Bhaunka. Hasaranga and
Dhanajaya de Silva scored 15 runs off Kuldeep Yadav changing momentum for Sri
Lanka. Rahul Chahar struck immediately to dismiss Hasaranga. Sakaryia got his
debut T20I wicket dismissing Ramesh Mendis.
Chamika Karurante smoked a huge six shifting momentum for
Sri Lanka. Dhanajaya de Silva also held his nerves. With 8 runs required off the last over, Dhanajaya and Karurante held their nerves to help Sri Lanka register
4 wickets win with 2 balls to spare.
Sri Lanka 133 for 6 in 19.4 overs (Dhanajaya de Silva 40*,
Bhaunka 36, Kuldeep Yadav 2/30) beat India 132 for 5 in 20 overs (Dhawan 40,
Paddikal 29, Dananjaya 2/29) by 4 wickets.
For his unbeaten 40, Dhanajaya de Silva was awarded the man
of the match. With this win, Sri Lanka leveled the 3-match series at 1-1. The
final and deciding T20I will be played tomorrow.
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