In an exhilarating start to the T20 series, India defeated Sri Lanka by 43 runs in the first match held at Pallekele. This victory gives Team India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Sri Lanka, having won the toss and opted to bowl first, faced a challenging target as India posted a formidable score of 213 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
India’s Batting Power on Display
The Indian innings began with a strong start. Yashasvi Jaiswal hit a four on the very first ball from Sri Lankan bowler Dilshan Madushanka. Following Jaiswal’s lead, Shubman Gill also made an impact, smashing two fours off the same bowler. India raced to 74 runs in just six overs, losing only one wicket.
Gill, who scored 34 runs, was dismissed when he was caught by Avishka Fernando off Madushanka’s bowling. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who contributed 40 runs, followed soon after, caught by Kusal Mendis off Mahish Theekshana’s delivery. With the score at 81/2, India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, was fortunate to get a reprieve when Avishka Fernando dropped his catch on the last ball of the over.
India crossed the 100-run mark in the 9th over, with Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant anchoring the innings. Suryakumar reached his fifty in just 22 balls, marking his 20th T20 half-century. However, India lost their third wicket in the 14th over when Suryakumar was dismissed for 58 by Mathisha Pathirana.
Rishabh Pant achieved a milestone during this innings, becoming the 100th batsman in the world to score 5,000 runs in T20 cricket. Despite this achievement, Pant was eventually out in the 19th over, leaving India with a score of 213 after a brief cameo from Rinku Singh, who added just one run before being dismissed.
Sri Lanka’s Chase and India’s Bowling Prowess
Sri Lanka started their chase with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis leading the charge. They made an impressive start, reaching 55 runs without losing a wicket in the powerplay. However, their strong opening partnership was broken when Mendis was out for 45, caught by Jaiswal off Arshdeep Singh’s bowling.
Pathum Nissanka, who scored 79 runs, was key in Sri Lanka’s chase, reaching his half-century in the 11th over. The Sri Lankan team crossed 100 runs in the same over. Despite a promising start, the innings took a downturn when Nissanka was dismissed by Akshar Patel, who also removed Kusal Perera in the same over.
The match saw a dramatic moment when Ravi Bishnoi was hit on the face by the ball while attempting a catch. Despite this injury scare, Bishnoi managed to dismiss Charith Asalanka on the last ball of the over. Riyan Parag also made his mark, taking two crucial wickets in the 17th over, including Dasun Shanaka and Kamindu Mendis.
As the innings progressed, Sri Lanka lost their seventh wicket in the 18th over when Wanindu Hasaranga was caught by Arshdeep Singh off Riyan Parag’s bowling. The final overs saw Mohammad Siraj and Riyan Parag taking the remaining wickets, with Sri Lanka ultimately being bowled out for 170 runs in 19.2 overs.
Key Performers and Final Moments
Riyan Parag was particularly effective, claiming three wickets and playing a crucial role in dismantling the Sri Lankan batting lineup. Akshar Patel and Arshdeep Singh also contributed significantly, each taking two wickets and helping to restrict Sri Lanka to a total well short of the target.
In the last over, Riyan Parag took two wickets in two consecutive balls, dismissing Mahish Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka, sealing the match for India.
Conclusion
India’s strong performance in both batting and bowling has set a high standard for the rest of the series. With a commanding 43-run victory, they have established an early lead against Sri Lanka. As the teams prepare for the next matches, Sri Lanka will need to reassess their strategies to counter India’s formidable squad.
The win reflects India’s depth in both batting and bowling, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. As the series progresses, fans can expect more thrilling encounters between these two competitive teams.
Summary:
In the first T20I of the series, India emerged victorious over Sri Lanka by 43 runs, taking a 1-0 lead. India scored 213 runs, led by strong performances from Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant, while Sri Lanka was bowled out for 170. Key contributions from Riyan Parag and effective bowling ensured India’s dominant win.
Image Courtesy: Official Instagram Page of BCCI
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