SL vs IND: 3rd T20I Review – India clinch a super over thriller as they complete a whitewash over Sri Lanka
India defeated Sri Lanka in the Super Over in the third T20I on Tuesday, July 30, in Pallekele. The Men in Blue completed a 3-0 series whitewash as a result of this victory.
After inviting India to bat first, Sri Lankan bowlers started remarkably as they picked up four Indian wickets inside the powerplay. The tourists could only muster 30 runs in the first six overs. Shivam Dube got a start but couldn’t capitalize as India lost half their side for 48 runs in 8.4 overs.
Shubman Gill, who was seeing the destruction from the other end, was joined by Riyan Parag. They added 54 runs off 40 balls in difficult batting conditions to give India some hope of a comeback. However, they were dismissed at the same over as Wanindu Hasaranga stepped up under pressure. Washington Sundar played an important knock of 25 and helped India get to 137/9 in their 20 overs.
In reply, Sri Lanka got to 58 before losing their first wicket in the ninth over. Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera stitched a 52-run standoff in 39 balls to take the hosts to a position of strength at 110/1 in 15.1 overs. However, the Lankan Lions suffered their third consecutive batting collapse in the series, losing seven wickets for just 22 runs. Out of nowhere then, Rinku Singh and Suryakumar Yadav bowled the last two overs and picked up two wickets each as Sri Lanka finished on 137/8.
In the Super Over, Sri Lanka managed only two runs before losing two wickets as Sundar did the job clinically. Suryakumar needed only one ball to win the match for his side as he swept Maheesh Theekshana for a boundary.
Top Performers of the Match
Best Batter – Kusal Perera (46 off 34 balls)
Kusal Perera played another good knock as he batted according to the situation of the match and made a well-compiled 46 off 34 balls. He hit five boundaries on a tough pitch and was standing between India and a series whitewash for quite some time. However, he lost his composure in the penultimate over and threw his wicket away.
Best Bowler – Washington Sundar (2 for 23)
Playing his first game in the series, the off-spinner accounted for the wickets of Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka off consecutive deliveries to open the floodgates for India. He also bowled tightly and conceded just 23 runs in his four-over spell. In the powerplay, Sundar bowled three deliveries, giving away just two runs and picking up as many wickets.
What’s next for both teams?
India and Sri Lanka will now square off in a three-match ODI series next month. The first match will be held at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on August 2.
