Sri Lanka 206 for 6 (Shanaka 56*, Kusal 52, Malik 3-48, Axar 2-24) beat India 190 for 8 (Axar 65, Suryakumar 51, Shanaka 2-4, Rajitha 2-22) by 16 runs
India had to mourn top order collapse and five no-balls from Ashdeep Singh
Axar Patel gave his best with bat and ball, but Dasun Shanaka continued to dominate India across the board, giving Sri Lanka his 16-run win in a thrilling match at his MCA Stadium in Pune. .
First the visitors, tinsel Indians aided by his bowling, which included seven very costly no-balls, and in 20 overs he scored 206 for 6. Kusal Mendis (52/31) and Shanaka (56*/22) were the top scorers.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers then broke India’s back and cut the hosts down to 5 for him 57 in 10 overs.The chase looked dead and dusty at this point but Suryakumar Yadav and Axar were forever added 91 runs from 40 balls added for the sixth wicket. Even with Suryakumar going down, Axar and Shivam Mavi kept the game balanced.
However, with India needing 21 to win the final, Shanaka picked up the ball in the first over, taking two wickets and helping his side cross the line.
Kusal Mendis, he starts in fifth gear before the spinner hits.
It started off well enough for India. They won the toss and were able to throw the ball first to avoid getting caught in the ropes later. Hardik Pandya threw the first over and allowed only two of his runs. And then it went downhill. Mendis was furious when Sri Lanka hammered out his 45 runs in his next three overs, causing panic in the Indian camp. Mendis said he competed in 27-ball 50.
Hardik had to rely on spinners to pull things back. Axar and his Yuzvendra Chahal rounded out the score while also picking up the wicket. The duo conceded just 54 runs from eight overs in total.
Arshdeep and his five no-ball history
Arshdeep has not played competitive cricket since his ODI final against New Zealand on 30 November and was certainly rusty going into this T20I. He was introduced in the second half and started a half volley with a square leg sliced pad. He doesn’t need to fuss. The first ball occurs after a fairly long break. Next he had 4 balls he only had 1 run. Then the story of the mysterious Noball began. The first time I sprayed the legs, the second time I sprayed the back deep square legs four times, and the third time I sprayed fielders in the same area.
Arshdeep said he was not returned until the 19th. He bowled two more times and Shanaka was caught long on by one of them, scoring 37 runs in two overs. His five no-balls changed the course of the game. Shanaka maintains dominance in India
By the time the Sri Lankan captain entered midfield, his side had stuttered to 110 for 4 in his 14 overs. He was then faced with a hat-trick ball as Challis Atalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga saw him fall from consecutive balls to Umran Malik. The one he pumped over the bowler’s head because Shanaka couldn’t be stopped. He put in 50 of 20 balls as he scored 93 runs in his final six overs. He then rolled over the final himself when the chase turned tight, scoring two wickets and giving four runs.
Sri Lanka’s Quix blows out India’s top orders
Seeing Sri Lanka finish the innings could give India the best hopes that orchids were infested on the surface of Pune.You were waiting for a rude awakening. Sri Lanka’s fast bowlers bowled frenziedly, getting batters into all sorts of trouble. The hosts were down to his 39-for-4 as the power play ended, with Dilshan Madhushanka, Kasun Rajisa and Chamika Karna Ratne joining the board.
Axar and Suryakumar engage in an unforgettable battle
India faded 64 for 5 after 10 overs. A long tail followed after a great defeat. Then came the opportunity for Axar and Suryakumar to be on almost equal footing. Missed Sri Lanka and it flipped a switch. Both Suryakumar and Axar shoot like possessed. Not a single Sri Lankan bowler was spared and the required rate of nearly fifteen in many cases was managed fairly well. Axar went from 20 balls to 50 balls and Suryakumar from 33 balls.