India shrugged off the third One-Day International defeat against Sri Lanka by winning the T20I series opener in Colombo by 38 runs. India won on the back of some fine bowling display as they defended their total of 164.
Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first. India handed debut caps to Prithvi Shaw and Varun Chakravarthy. But Shaw’s debut lasted only one ball as he got out for a golden duck on the very first ball of the match.
Sanju Samson looked good but threw away his start. Suryakumar Yadav was in fine form and scored a half-century while stitching an important partnership with Dhawan, who scored 46 runs. Suryakumar got out just after notching his fifty.
Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav reveals when things changed for him
Ishan Kishan’s 20-run knock took India’s total to 164/5 in 20 overs. Dushmantha Chameera and Wanindu Hasaranga were the pick of the bowlers and picked two wickets each.
In response, Sri Lanka started their innings confidently but Minod Bhanuka got out to Krunal Pandya in the third over. Yuzvendra Chahal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar jolted Sri Lanka’s innings with two wickets in quick succession.
Charith Asalanka tried to take the chase deep but couldn’t find any assistance from the other end. Deepak Chahar grabbed two wickets in the 16th over to take the game away from Sri Lanka’s reach.
Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav refers to Prithvi Shaw as a showstopper
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to finish the proceedings with three wickets in his final two overs. He ended the match with the figures of 4/22 in 3.3 overs. Varun Chakravarthy bagged his maiden wicket when he dismissed Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka for 16. Sri Lanka got all out for 126 in 18.3 overs.
With the first game in the bag, India will try to seal the series in the second T20I, which will take place on 27 July in Colombo.
See how Twitter reacted to India’s win;
https://twitter.com/ESPNcricinfo/status/1419360625390616576
India bowl out Sri Lanka for 126, winning by 38 runs!
They go 1-0 up in the three-match T20I series 👏#SLvIND | https://t.co/LjwbAGMESN pic.twitter.com/CAqwayRdVw
— ICC (@ICC) July 25, 2021
Bhuvneshwar Kumar picks-up a four-for as India clinch the first T20I by 38 runs #SLvIND
Best T20I figures for Ind vs SL
4/8 R Ashwin Vizag 2016
4/18 Ashoke Dinda Pallekele 2012
4/22 Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2021 *https://t.co/Ahbhh33A9c pic.twitter.com/mV2m2hKHBJ— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) July 25, 2021
What a beautiful moment for Varun Chakravarthy. First wicket for India after such a unique journey. An architect, chose to go back to his game, worked his way up through the little leagues and now this.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 25, 2021
Top innings from Asalanka. https://t.co/vW4JzAjLvi
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 25, 2021
Absolutely top innings from @surya_14kumar. On a slow track, he had to create shots and it was a very inventive innings.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 25, 2021
Clever stumping by another Jharkhand wicket-keeper!#SLvIND #IndvSL
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) July 25, 2021
Well played! 🔥
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) July 25, 2021
Harbhajan Singh in Surya Kumar Yadav: After Rohit ang Virat, Surya is the most talented batsman in India, across formats @harbhajan_singh @surya_14kumar #IndvsSL
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) July 25, 2021
