IND vs SL: 2nd T20I Review – Batters seal India’s series win
Eleven in a row now! India thrashed Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second T20I to seal the series 2-0 and continued their unbeaten streak. The hosts had a tough challenge with the highly inspired Sri Lankan side posting a big total of 183 on the board in their first innings. However, the Rohit Sharma led side chased down the target with 2.5 overs left, thanks to some serious hitting from Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja in the end.
The Sri Lankan openers got the side to a decent start without losing a wicket in the powerplay and set up the perfect platform for a final flourish. Gunathilaka was dismissed in the ninth over leading to a rush of wickets and the visitors were stranded at 102 for 4 in the 15th over.
However, Nissanka (75) and skipper Dasun Shanaka formed a 58-run partnership in just 26 deliveries. Shanaka (47*), who hit five sixes in his quickfire cameo, took Harshal Patel to the cleaners in the last over of the innings as the latter conceded 23 runs and turned the momentum in Sri Lanka’s direction.
India meanwhile, did not start the chase as they would have liked by losing the openers within the powerplay and the onus was on inform batter Shreyas Iyer to take the side home. Iyer and Samson took the charge to the bowler with an excellent 84-run partnership and ensured that India brought down the required run rate considerably.
Samson was dismissed for a well-made 25-ball 39 while Iyer continues his assault with the bat. Ravindra Jadeja joined the show with a stunning 19 ball-45 and remained unbeaten alongside Iyer to hand the Indian side a terrific victory.
Top performers of the match
Shreyas Iyer:
Shreyas Iyer continued his excellent form with the bat from the previous game as the Mumbai lad played yet another career-defining innings. The 27-year-old came into the crease at the end of the first over when India was pushed to the backfoot with the fall of skipper Rohit’s dismissal and stayed unbeaten till the end with a stupendous knock of 74 in just 44 balls. The right-hander hit six fours and four sixes in his breadth taking innings and helped India get over the line.
Pathum Nissanka:
Pathum Nissanka showed the Indian crowd on why he is rated so much higher in the Sri Lanka circuit as the opener played a magnificent knock against a quality Indian bowling attack. The 23-year-old took his time initially with some sensible stroke play but flourished towards the end to get his team to a big total. The young sensation’s 53-ball 75 comprised of 11 fours and more importantly, he ensured the singles were taken quite frequently which was a major drawback in the previous game.
What next for the two teams?
Having claimed the series already, India will look to provide opportunities to the bench members and senior fast bowlers might get to rest as well. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will look for a consolidation win in the final T20I in Dharamshala on February 27.
