India opted to bowl first after winning the toss, and Sri Lanka started strong, scoring 80 runs for the loss of two wickets in the first half of their innings. However, Indian bowlers made a remarkable comeback in the second half, restricting Sri Lanka to 161/9 in their 20 overs. Kusal Perera’s half-century, scoring 53 off 34 balls, was a highlight for the hosts. Ravi Bishnoi was the standout bowler for India, finishing with figures of 3/26, while Axar Patel, who bowled the final over, took 2/30. Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya also contributed with two wickets each.

Rain interrupted India’s innings after just three balls, resulting in a revised target of 78 runs from 8 overs. Dasun Shanaka’s first over went for 10 runs, and although Maheesh Theekshana dismissed Sanju Samson for a golden duck, Suryakumar Yadav countered by hitting Theekshana for three boundaries in his second over. SKY scored 26 off 12 balls and received solid support from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made 30 off 15 before being dismissed. Hardik Pandya then sealed the victory for India, remaining unbeaten on 22 off just 9 balls.

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Sri Lanka Falters in Death Overs: Adding Only 31 Runs for 7 Wickets

Kamindu Mendis was caught by Rinku Singh at deep square leg, and Kusal Perera, who had been scoring well, was also caught by Rinku trying to pull a short ball. Charith Asalanka managed to hit a six but could only add a single afterward. Despite bowling a couple of wides, Hardik maintained pressure throughout the over. This double breakthrough, coupled with tight fielding and disciplined bowling, saw Sri Lanka losing momentum significantly, leaving them struggling to handle the Indian attack in the death overs.

In 16th over, Ravi Bishnoi’s bowling caused significant damage to Sri Lanka’s batting lineup. The over began with Asalanka pulling a googly for a single, followed by a defensive miss on a turning delivery. Bishnoi then struck twice in quick succession: first, Dasun Shanaka chopped a length ball onto his stumps for a golden duck, followed by Wanindu Hasaranga being bowled while attempting a slog sweep. Mendis managed to survive a close run-out call while trying for a second run, but his defensive shot against a full delivery ended the over with no further runs. This devastating spell left Sri Lanka reeling as Bishnoi took three wickets in rapid succession.

A tight over by Axar Patel, Sri Lanka managed to score only five runs. Asalanka and Mendis each took singles by pushing the ball to midwicket and square leg. Mendis had an LBW appeal turned down, with the ball adjudged to have come off the bat. Despite some turn, Mendis defended a good length ball just outside off, while Asalanka and Mendis continued to rotate the strike with careful shots, keeping the scoring minimal. Axar’s disciplined bowling ensured the pressure remained on the Sri Lankan batters.

In the 19th over, Arshdeep Singh’s disciplined bowling continued to put pressure on the Sri Lankan batsmen. He dismissed Charith Asalanka, who toe-ended a low full toss to deep midwicket, where Samson took an easy catch. Mendis and Theekshana managed to add a few runs with singles and a misfield allowing them an extra run. Despite this, Arshdeep’s accurate short and full deliveries kept the scoring in check, culminating in Theekshana ducking under a short ball to end the over. Arshdeep finished with impressive figures of 3-24 from his three overs.

Axar Patel’s decisive performance in the final overs was pivotal as he took crucial wickets, dismissing both Ramesh Mendis and Maheesh Theekshana, and ultimately guided India to restrict Sri Lanka to 161/9. Patel’s strategic bowling and Rishabh Pant’s sharp stumping were key highlights, while Suryakumar Yadav’s effective captaincy, particularly his use of spinners at the death, played a significant role in the victory.

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