India Makes History with Super Over Victory and T-20 Sweep

India with its new-look team won the 3rd T20 against Sri Lanka and completed a clean sweep in the T20 Series. Things were pretty much in Sri Lanka’s hands. But they somehow made a mess of it and lost the game in the super over.

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India Pushed to Bat After Rain Delay:

After a delayed start of 60 minutes, Asalanka won the toss and opted to bowl first. With some help available from the pitch, Lankan bowlers were on top. They got 4 wickets in the powerplay with Jaiswal, Samson, Rinku, and captain Surya getting out early. Indian batting was struggling at 30-4 after 6 overs. The game was set for a low-scoring encounter, and Indian batters somehow tried to take the game deep to reach a respectable total.

Lankan Bowlers Were on the Top

Shubman Gill batted until the 16th over but never got going, scoring a steady 39 off 37 balls. Riyan Parag showed some confident striking, hitting 2 sixes and scoring 26 off 18. Washington also played a handy knock of 25 and managed to take the total to 137 at the loss of 9 wickets. Lankan bowlers were well on top throughout the innings and never allowed Indian batters to get any momentum. Theekshana and Hasaranga were the top wicket-takers with 3-28 and 2-29.

Good Start, Miserable End

Chasing 137, Lankan batters looked comfortable and started the innings similarly. They did not lose any wickets in the powerplay but only scored 35 runs. Bishnoi dismissed Nissanka in the 9th over and gave the Indian attack some life. Kusal Mendis took charge of the innings and batted well. Sri Lanka was 108 after 15 overs. The game was done and dusted as they only needed 30 runs in 30 balls with 9 wickets in hand. But the Indian team knew how to turn these kinds of matches and the best was yet to come.

Surya’s Captaincy Magic

Bishnoi once again brought back India as he picked Kusal Mendis in the 16th over. Sundar backed him and dismissed Hasaranga and skipper Asalanka in the very next over, and suddenly Lanka was 4 down. Sri Lanka needed 9 runs in 12 balls while Perera was batting well, set on 46, and the game looked very much in their reach. On the other side, India had bowled out all their spin bowling options, including Riyan Parag. Given the kind of help spinners were getting, skipper Surya played a blind trick that no one expected. He gave the 19th over to Rinku Singh. Everyone must have considered it a formal move, but Rinku Singh surely has some magic in his hands.

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Rinku’s Heroics Force a Dramatic Tie

Rinku bowled a superb over, gave away just 3 runs, and dismissed Kusal Perera and Ramesh Mendis, bringing his team right back into the game. Lanka now needed 6 runs in the final over, and both new batters were at the crease. Skipper Surya played another trick and brought himself into the attack, and he is known for doing special things. He picked up wickets on the 2nd and 3rd balls of the over, shocking everyone.

Lanka was on the verge of losing a game that should have been won 1-2 overs before. They needed 3 runs off the last ball and managed to get 2, tying the game. The Lankan crowd was in sheer disbelief at what had just happened while Indian coach GG finally had a smile on his face.

The Super Over:

The Lankan team batted first in the super over; both Kusals again took charge of the innings. For India, it was Sundar who was ready with the ball. Lanka continued their struggle and lost 2 wickets for just 2 runs. Sundar ended their hopes in just 3 balls.

India won, SKY’s Brilliance:

India only needed 3 runs in 6 balls. Sky and Gill took the matter into their own hands while Theekshana took the ball in his hand. It only took SKY to finish the game as he swept Theekshana for a four and won the game for his team.

Washington Sundar was awarded Player of the Match for his heroics, while SKY was awarded Player of the Series for his performances throughout the series.