The first match of the three-match T20I series between India and Sri Lanka made the news for all the bad reasons. The game was called off due to damp pitch condition, but the pitch at Barsapara Cricket Ground circulated around the media like wildfire. In a last-ditch attempt to dry the pitch, the authorities had to use a steam iron, and even a hairdryer.
None of that was repeated at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, as fans in Indore witnessed the men in blue gaining an advantage in the series. Put to bat first by the Indian skipper Virat Kohli, Sri Lanka got off to a steady, yet a bit slow start. The top three of Sri Lanka got good starts but failed to convert it to a big total. Kusal Perera was the only one who showed some fight, but even he was victimized by Kuldeep Yadav on 34.
At one stage, it was looking like Sri Lanka wouldn’t be able to see through their stipulated 20 overs. However, some late fireworks from Dhananjaya de Silva and Wanindu Hasaranga got them to a total of 142. Anything under 160 was not going to put the Indian batters to test anyway, but an early wicket would have helped Sri Lanka’s case.
Unfortunately, even that was not on the cards as Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul provided a solid foundation to the innings. While Dhawan scored a steady 32 from 29 deliveries, Rahul was the one who went after the bowlers to score 45 runs from just 32 deliveries. Their wickets fell in quick succession to give the Lankans a slight glimmer of hope, but Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer demolished that as well.
Iyer played a handy knock of 30 runs, whereas Kohli fancied some shots against Lasith Malinga & Co. The Indian skipper was unbeaten on 30 from just 17 deliveries, as the Indians registered a six-wicket victory. The final T20I will be played at MCA Stadium in Pune, on 10th January.]
Saini-Thakur pace duo on song for India
Indian pacers were on song in this game, and quite surprisingly, it wasn’t Jasprit Bumrah who did most of the damage. Navdeep Saini and Shardul Thakur brought their A game to the pitch to rattle up the Lankan batters. While Thakur picked up 3 wickets by conceding just 23 runs, Saini gave away only 18 runs and got the wickets of Danushka Gunathilaka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa.
