In a thrilling rain-affected T20 match in Pallekele, India emerged victorious over Sri Lanka by seven wickets, thanks in large part to an outstanding bowling performance led by Ravi Bishnoi. Bishnoi’s three-wicket haul played a pivotal role in containing Sri Lanka to a modest total, and India now holds an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Initially, Sri Lanka appeared to be in a strong position. At the end of the 15th over, they were 130/2 and looked set to post a substantial total. However, the situation dramatically shifted when the Indian bowlers made crucial breakthroughs at vital junctures.
Sri Lanka’s downfall began in earnest during the final five overs of their innings. They managed to add only 31 runs while losing seven wickets, collapsing to 161/9. This sudden disintegration was reminiscent of the first T20I, where India had similarly choked the home side’s scoring in the final overs, making it difficult for them to post a competitive total on a used pitch.
**Sri Lanka’s Innings: A Tale of Two Phases**
**PowerPlay: A Brief Respite for Sri Lanka**
The Sri Lankan openers, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera, took advantage of Jasprit Bumrah’s absence and attacked the Indian bowlers early on. Nissanka, particularly, made the most out of an erratic start from Mohammed Siraj, driving Sri Lanka to a solid 54/1 at the end of the PowerPlay. Even when Kusal Mendis fell to a slower ball from Arshdeep Singh, Perera’s aggressive batting kept the momentum going. Perera’s initial onslaught included a six and a four off Siraj in quick succession, ensuring Sri Lanka maintained a brisk scoring rate despite India’s efforts to curtail their run rate by introducing spin.
**Middle Overs: Kusal Perera’s Lone Battle**
During the middle overs, India saw off Sri Lanka’s aggression by bringing spin into play. Spin bowlers Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel, and Riyan Parag took over the bulk of the bowling. Although Parag got some substantial turn and bounce, it was Bishnoi who provided the critical breakthrough by trapping Nissanka in front with a superbly bowled googly. Kusal Perera, despite being dropped on 32, managed to score a 31-ball fifty and dominated a second-wicket partnership with Kamindu Mendis that seemed to put Sri Lanka in a strong position for a high total.
**Death Overs: Sri Lanka’s Collapse**
Sri Lanka’s promising innings came unraveled in the final few overs.
. Hardik Pandya initiated the devastation, supported by exceptional fielding from Rinku Singh, who made up for an earlier missed catch with two crucial grabs. Bishnoi further added to the woes of the hosts by dismissing Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga. The leg-spinner bowled both batsmen in a single over, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 26. Such was the grip of the Indian bowlers that the Sri Lankans managed to find the boundary only once after Perera’s departure, courtesy of a six from Ramesh Mendis in the 20th over.
**India’s Chase: Clinching the Series with Ease**
India’s chase of the rain-revised target of 78 runs in 8 overs started tentatively. Just three balls into their innings, a heavy shower forced the players off the field, causing a long delay. When play resumed, Yashasvi Jaiswal wasted no time in attacking, striking a boundary off the first ball post-resumption. Although Sanju Samson, brought into the side for the injured Shubman Gill, fell for a first-ball duck, it did little to halt India’s advance.
Jaiswal, undeterred, took on Wanindu Hasaranga, while Suryakumar Yadav, the Player of the Match from the first T20I, displayed excellent form once again. Yadav scored a trio of boundaries off Theekshana, and Hardik Pandya contributed a quick 22* from 9 balls. India comfortably chased down the target with nine balls to spare.
**Brief Scores:**
Sri Lanka: 161/9 in 20 overs (Kusal Perera 53; Ravi Bishnoi 3-26).
India: 81/3 in 6.3 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 30, Suryakumar Yadav 26, Hardik Pandya 22*; Maheesh Theekshana 1-16).
This emphatic win underlines India’s dominance in the series and sets them up for a potential whitewash in the final match. Ravi Bishnoi’s standout performance alongside critical contributions from Jaiswal, Yadav, and Pandya, ensured India clinched the series with a game to spare, highlighting the depth and resilience of the squad.