All-rounder Chamika Karunaratne made a valiant effort adding 23 in 16 balls with 2 sixes but it was in vain as India recorded a thrilling 2-run win over Sri Lanka in their first T-20 game played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India yesterday.
Sri Lanka needed 13 runs from the last over which was bowled by experienced leg spinner Axar Patel and Karunaratne stroked a six on the third ball. Sri Lanka only needed four runs on the last ball but Chamika only managed to get a single and the last man Dilshsn Madushanka was run out as Sri Lanka was dismissed for 160 runs.
The 32-year-old debutant paceman Shivam Mavi took a excellent figures of 4 for 22 and was undoubtedly the match-winner for India.
Sri Lanka chasing a target of 163 were unable to make a good start while opener Pathum Nissanka was out scoring only one run at the second over bowled by debutant 24-year-old Shivam Mavi. Dhananjaya de Silva the number three batter also out scoring 8 with two boundaries and paceman Mavi accounted for his second wicket in the 4th over to put pressure on the Sri Lanka top order.
However, opener Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka tried to repair the innings by adding 23 runs for the third wicket but Asalanka was out for 12 runs, and 23-year-old Umran Malik took a vital wicket of Asalanka in the 8th over. Mendis played a good innings scoring 28 in 25 balls with 5 fours while Bhanuka Rajapaksa the dashing stroke player once again failed to impress with the bat scoring 10 runs in 11 balls with a four while 32-year-old Harshal Patel took his wicket with skipper Hardik Pandya took a catch at mid-off position.
Skipper Dasun Shanaka fought a long battle as the number six batsman and he struck superb strokes all over the grounds to increase the total while Wanindu Hasaranga put some effort to add a valuable 21 runs in just 10 balls hit 2 sixes and a four and Sri Lanka were 106 for 6 wickets in the 15th over.
Dasun Shanaka was the only hope for Sri Lanka but he was finally out in the 17th over. Shanaka hit an excellent knock of 45 in 27 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes but extra cover fielder Yuzvendra Chahal took a simple catch to take Shanaka’s wicket off the bowling of Umran Malik.
Sri Lanka needed to get 32 runs in the last three overs but the Indian bowlers controlled the game and the two sides have been ably putting up a good battle until the last over.
Earlier, India put into bat first and notched up 75 for 3 wickets after ten overs finally made 162 for 5 wickets in their 20 overs while opener Ishan Krishan hit 37 in 29 balls while Deepak Hooda top scored unbeaten 41 in 23 balls with a four and 4 sixes which was well supported by Axar Patel who hit an unbeaten 31 in 20 balls to build up the total. Kasun Rajitha gave away 47 runs in his 4-over spell failing to scrape up a wicket.
Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Dhananjaya de Silva took one wicket each.
India handed out two debuts to Shubman Gill and Shivam Mavi after Sri Lanka won the toss and inserted the hosts in. They aimed to set a good target and then defend in the dew.
Sri Lanka played with six batters while Avishka Fernando the in-form batsman was on the bench while both Wanindu Hasaranga the new deputy skipper and Maheesh Theekshana got a chance with two paceman Kasun Rajitha and Dilshan Madushanka.
Deepak Hooda was named the Man of the Match.
The second T20 game between the two teams will be played tomorrow (5) at Pune.
