India versus Sri Lanka 2nd T20I: Shreyas Iyer and Ravindra Jadeja ensures comfortable series win
The Indian batters especially Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, and Ravindra Jadeja ensured that the hosts chased down a competitive total with ease in the 2nd T20I match played at HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala on Saturday.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to
field first. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah started troubling Pathum
Nissanka and Gunathilka. After the initial spell, both Sri Lankan batters put
enough pressure on Indian bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah looked threatening to make life
tough for visitors' openers. At the end of the first six overs, Sri Lankan
openers scored just 32 runs.
After the field restrictions, Nissanka and Gunathilka kept the pressure on Indian bowlers especially. Gunathilka was severe on Jadeja hitting him
for 18 runs before trying to hit another big shot but was well caught by Venetaksh
Iyer at long-on. Lankan openers added 67 runs laying a strong foundation for a
massive total. Indian team struck quickly with Chahal dismissing Charith
Asalanaka.
Harshal Patel dismissed Kamila Mishra to leave Sri Lanka on the
backfoot. Nissanka looked in brilliant touch keeping the scoreboard ticking while experienced
Dinesh Chandimal struggled. Bumrah dismissed Chandimal not allowing Lankans to
score easily. Sri Lankan captain Shanaka came to the crease and hit boundaries
at will. On other hand, Nissanka well complied fifty off 43 balls. Shanaka took an attack making life tough for Indian bowlers. Bhuvneshwar Kumar finally dismissed
Nissanka. Shanaka and Nissanka added 58 runs in quick time for the 5th
wicket. Shanaka helped Sri Lanka post a competitive total of 183 for 5 in 20
overs.
In reply, it was not an ideal start as Rohit Sharma was
dismissed cheaply by Chameera in the first over. Shreyas Iyer timed the ball
brilliantly keeping the pressure on Lankan bowlers. Ishan Kishan struggled
against disciplined Lankan bowling. Lahiru Kumara dismissed Kishan with a good
catch by Shanaka. Kishan and Iyer added 35 runs for the 2nd wicket.
At the end of the first six overs, India scored 46 for 2.
Sanju Samson struggled with his timing while Shreyas Iyer
took some time after the loss of Kishan’s wicket. Iyer then took on Praveen Jayawickrama
hitting for 2 successive sixes to keep India on course. Sanju Samson showed his
skills with timing taking on Kumara utilizing his pace making life tough for the opposition captain. On other hand, Iyer completed his fifty off 30 balls.
Samson got his timing back and put enough pressure on the
Lankan bowlers. A sensational one-handed catch by Binuara Fernando ended Samson’s
innings. Samson and Iyer added 84 runs for the 3rd wicket.
Ravindra Jadeja joined in with Iyer and made life tough for opposition
bowlers. Jadeja showed his hitting abilities, especially against Chameera and
Binuara Fernando. Sri Lankan fielding was not great as they dropped chances. It
was a brilliant effort as Jadeja hit the winning runs with a boundary. Ravindra
Jadeja and Iyer added unbeaten 58 runs for the 4th wicket.
India won the match easily by 7 wickets with 17 balls. It
was a superb batting effort by Iyer and Jadeja who never looked troubled.
India 186 for 3 in 17.1 overs (Shreyas Iyer 74*, Jadeja 45*,
Kumara 2/31) beat Sri Lanka 183 for 5 in 20 overs(Nissanka 75, Shanaka 47*, Bumrah
1/24, Chahal 1/27) by 7 wickets.
For his unbeaten 74 off 44 balls, Shreyas Iyer was named the
man of the match. India sealed the 3 matches T20I series with 1 match to spare.
The final T20I match will be played on the same ground tomorrow.
India beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets to win the series against Lanka
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