India versus Sri Lanka 1st T20I: Dominate India thrash Sri Lanka
The Indian Cricket Team continued its winning streak with a dominating display in the 1st T20I against Lankans played at Ekana International Stadium, Lucknow on Thursday.
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and decided to
field first. It was a cautious start by Ishan Kishan as he was not able to time
the ball in the initial first two overs. After the initial struggle, Kishan put
Chamika Karaunate under immense pressure with 3 boundaries in the same over to gain
momentum for the Indian team.
The left-handed explosive batter then looked in great touch
taking on Sri Lankan bowlers with big shots making life tough for the
opposition bowlers. At the end of the first six overs, Indian openers scored 58
for 0.
After the field restrictions, Kishan kept the momentum going
on for India with positive intent and completed his fifty off just 30 balls
while Rohit Sharma gave most of the strike to inform Kishan. Lahiru Kumara struck
finally for Sri Lanka ending a strong 111 runs opening partnership in 11.5
overs. Shreyas Iyer came at number 3 and struggled initially to time the ball.
Kishan made the batting look easy keeping the momentum going for Team India.
Sri Lankan captain Shanaka got rid of the well-set Kishan caught by Liyanage.
Kishan and Iyer added 44 runs for the 2nd wicket.
Shreyas Iyer took the attack to the Lankan bowlers and
reached his fifty off just 25 balls. Ravindra Jadeja was promoted at number 4
but did not get enough balls to face. Shreyas Iyer remained not out on 57 off
28 balls and put on unbeaten 44 runs for the 3rd wicket. It was a
dominating batting performance by the Indian team as they posted daunting 199 runs
losing only 2 wickets.
It was not an ideal start for the visitors as Pathum
Nissanka was dismissed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar taking the inside edge onto stumps.
Venetaksh Iyer dropped a simple chance to dismiss Kamila Mishra. Soon after,
Shreyas Iyer also missed catching a chance at the boundary. Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed
Mishara caught by Rohit Sharma leaving the visitors struggling. Asalanaka was
given out by the umpire but on review, it was overturned to not out as it hit
gloves.
Sri Lanka struggled to get going as they posted 29 for 2 at
the end of the first six overs. The Indian bowlers did not allow the Lankan batters
to score runs easily keeping consistent pressure. Ravindra Jadeja picked his
first wicket after a long gap dismissing Chandimal stumped. Chamika Karaunate
and Asalanaka provided some resistance 37 runs for the 6th wicket.
Asalanaka looked quite impressive with his strokes.
The Indian catching was not great as Bumrah dropped
Asalanaka. Asalanaka showed some intent completing his fifty off 43 balls.
Chameera and Asalanaka added unbeaten 40 runs for the 7th wicket as
India won the match by 62 runs.
India 199 for 2 in 20 overs ( Ishan Kishan 89, Shreyas Iyer
57*, Kumara 1/43, Shanaka 1/19) beat Sri Lanka 137 for 6 20 overs ( Asalanaka
53*, Chameera 24*, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/9, Venetaksh Iyer 2/36) by 62 runs.
For his 89 off 56 balls, Ishan Kishan was awarded the man of
the match. India takes a 1-0 lead in the series. The second T20I will be played
at Dharmshala on 26th Feb.
Ishan Kishan man of the match for his 89
Comments