India defeated Sri Lanka by two runs in the first match of the ongoing three-match T20I series, which took place at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Chasing a target of 163 runs, the Lankans could only score 160 in their 20 overs.
Playing his first international game, Shivam Mavi set the tone for India early on, as he dismissed Pathum Nissanka in his first over, and then followed it up with Dhananjaya de Silva’s wicket in his second over.
Charith Asalanka and Kusal Mendis added 23 runs for the third-wicket stand, but the resilience came to an end when the former lost his wicket to Umran Malik in the eighth over.
One wicket brought a couple more for the hosts, with Mendis and Bhanuka Rajapaksa returning to the pavilion in the next three overs. At 68/5, it seemed that Sri Lanka are all but out of the hunt, but skipper Dasun Shanaka led a spirited fightback.
He was involved in a 40-run stand for the sixth wicket with Wanindu Hasaranga, and after the latter’s dismissal, Shanaka continued his onslaught with Chamika Karunaratne at the other end.
Following Shanaka’s departure in the 17th over, Karunaratne tried his best to take his team over the line, keeping the Lankans alive in the contest till the last ball. Unfortunately for the visitors, the all-rounder’s best was not good enough to take them over the line, as India sealed a two-run triumph.
Late Fireworks From Hooda, Axar
Earlier, India scored 162/5 after being asked to bat first. The men in blue had a good start with the bat, scoring 26 runs in the first couple of overs as Ishan Kishan went gung-ho. However, the opening partnership was broken in the third over, with Maheesh Theekshana getting the better of the debutant, Shubman Gill.
The men in blue’s new vice-captain, Suryakumar Yadav also had a day to forget, as he was dismissed for only 7 in the sixth over by all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne. The procession of wickets continues, with Akila Dhananjaya dismissing Sanju Samson in the very next over.
After a 31-run stand for the fourth wicket, which helped the hosts get back in the game, Ishan Kishan was finally dismissed in the 11th over, as Wanindu Hasaranga opened his wickets tally.
That wicket once again derailed Hardik Pandya’s team, with the skipper himself getting dismissed in the first ball of Dilshan Madushanka’s third over, after scoring a cautious 27-ball 29.
However, just when it seemed that it will not be possible for India to breach the 150-run mark, Deepak Hooda unleashed the big hits. The last five overs produced 61 runs, helping India post a competitive total of 162.
Hooda was certainly the star of the show, as he smashed 41 runs in 23 deliveries, hitting four sixes and a boundary in the process. He was supported by Axar Patel from the other end, who struck 31 runs in 20 deliveries.
For the visitors, five bowlers picked up one wicket apiece, with Kasun Rajitha being the only player not to open his wickets column. Hasaranga was the most impressive from the lot, as he conceded only 22 runs in his four overs.
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