The T20 International series between India and Srilanka which was hosted at 3 venues, Pune, Ranchi and Vizag created many twists and sophisticated revenges in a short period.
Here bringing to you the best of the moments of yet another victorious series
Match 1:
Many predicted that the T20 series against Sri Lanka was supposed to be a cakewalk for the favorites and very in-form, Team India, who were presently preparing to take back the World Twenty20 title. But, once again, cricket reminded many of the age-old cliché – it is a game of glorious uncertainties.
It was debutant fast bowler of Sri Lanka Kasuna Rajitha (3/29) and his partner Dasun Shanaka who bounced up the batsmen and reminded them that there was nothing called ‘favourites’ in the game. This right-arm pacer , bowled his heart out, on a green track, and triggered India’s collapse to 101 runs, which fetched the Lankans an easy five-wicket victory in the first of the three-match T20 series.
Match 2 :
After a shocking Loss, the Indian team produced a clinical performance, getting into the groove. Before the series started, that was what everyone expected of India against an inexperienced and new-looking Sri Lankan side. But the shock that Men in Blue got in the first match at Pune had somewhat jolted the Indian fans. Now that turned to an anomaly that Indian team swiftly forgot and moved on. For India, a lot of positive scenes came out from the match – Shikar Dhawan blasting a 22 ball half century to get India off to rolling start and then Raina and Pandya adding good runs in the middle-order, gave a good score to India putting up a 197 target on the scorecard. The Indian bowlers were spot on as well in this match. Ashwin bowled with the new ball and was successful. Nehra once again provided wickets early on. Bumrah bowled in the death and showed that he has what it takes to be a good death-overs bowler for India.
Apart from the late hat-trick by Thisara Perera, there were not many things Sri Lanka did well. It was a brutal Revenge against Srilanka. And, India eyed to clinch the series decider match at Vishakhapatnam.
Match 3 :
The top order came to the party and bowlers restricted Sri Lanka. Vizag pitch deemed to be a batting beauty, offered much help to the batting. India has won the toss and elected to bowl first. India is playing with an unchanged eleven while Sri Lanka has made three changes. Insipid Sri Lanka was dismissed for paltry 82. Only Shanaka and Perera managed to cross double figures. R Ashwin was the pick of the bowler getting 4 wickets conceding just 8 runs, besting his own previous record. Raina took 2 wickets for just six runs.
India was never really stretched while chasing. Dhawan played a fluent knock and ended with 46 not out at run a ball. Rohit Sharma was the lone man to be dismissed, after scoring 13. Rahane was not out on 22 of 24 balls. India reached the total with 37 balls to spare and 9 wickets in hand.
Hence, India Pull off The trophy with shear brilliance.
