The Indian Team, Under SKY’s Leadership, Started Strong

The Indian team, led by Surya Kumar, started strong against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. Batting first, India scored a solid 213 runs. In reply, Sri Lanka fell short by a significant margin of 43 runs.

Sri Lanka lucky at the toss

Sri Lankan captain Asalanka was lucky at the toss and opted to bowl first. Sri Lanka, unsurprisingly, played their full-strength squad. India, on the other hand, announced a surprising squad, leaving out T20 World Cup winners Shivam Dube and Samson from the playing XI, and instead trusting Riyan Parag.

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The Indian Team off to a flying start

The Indian Team got off to a flying start, with openers Jaiswal and Shubman displaying a strong mindset and hitting the Lankan bowlers from the outset. They took the score to 74 in just the 6th over, before Sri Lanka finally drew first blood in the final ball of the 6th over. Gill was

Rishabh Joined the Charge for The Indian Team

Rishabh Pant joined Surya Kumar for the 3rd wicket. Skipper Surya took charge and started doing what he loves – scoring runs. Pant, on the other hand, played a slowish knock initially. Surya reached his half-century in just 22 balls but was dismissed in the next over by Pathirana. India was 153/3 after 14 overs and was set for a big total, but Pathirana stood between their dreams.

Pathirana bowled Hardik with a cracking yorker, later dismissing Parag and Pant in the 19th over, restricting India to 213 runs. Surya Kumar was the top scorer with 58, followed by Rishabh Pant, who scored a hard-fought 49. Matheesha was once again the star bowler for Sri Lanka, picking 4 big wickets for just 40 runs.

Sri Lanka up for the chase:

Sri Lanka began the chase strongly, with both openers scoring 55 in the powerplay. They were very much in the chase, but Arshdeep finally got the first breakthrough in the 9th over, dismissing Kusal Mendis for 45. Pathum Nissanka kept batting solidly, and runs kept coming, with Sri Lanka reaching 140 in 14 overs.

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With 74 required in 36 balls, the target looked well within reach, but Axar Patel got the crucial breakthrough of Nissanka in the 15th over, changing the game on its head. Axar also dismissed Kusal Perera in the same over, pushing the Lankan team onto the backfoot once again. After this, it was a one-sided affair, with Lankan batters falling regularly, and they were eventually all out for 170, falling 43 runs short of the total. Nissanka was the lone warrior for Lanka, scoring 79 off 48 balls. Riyan Parag was worthy with the ball, picking 3 wickets in a spell of just 8 balls. Arshdeep and Axar also took 2 wickets each.

Skipper Surya Kumar was named Player of the Match for his innings. Overall, a solid start for Gautam Gambhir and Surya Kumar-led Indian side. Both teams meet again today at the same venue.”