Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka was disappointed with the way the middle order batted after their 43-run loss against India in the first T20I at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on Saturday. The hosts were given a target of 214 runs after Asalanka decided to bowl first.

The home team bowlers bounced back well at the fag end of the first innings as India was threatening to score more than 240 at one stage. The Indian openers – Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal – gave a brisk start to the team, adding 74 runs in the Powerplay overs.

The Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was able to hit the ground running in his first match in charge (full-time), as he raced to a 22-ball fifty. SKY scored a blistering knock of 58 runs off 26 balls whereas Rishabh Pant, who found his timing after facing 20 balls, scored a decent knock of 49 runs off 33 balls.

On the other hand, Sri Lankan openers – Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis – gave a blistering start to their team, adding 84 runs off just 52 balls. In fact, the hosts were well on track in the run-chase as they were 140-1 after 14 overs.

However, the Island country lost the remaining nine wickets for only 30 runs as they veered off the track.

Charith Asalanka said in the post-match presentation, “We were not up to the mark in the powerplay, but in the latter part, we came back pretty strong. Some stage, we thought they might get to 240, we did well. Little disappointed with the way the middle-order batted, we could have done better. (On the balance of his side) It’s an experiment, this is the way we should go in the future.”

The second T20I between the two sides will be played at the same venue on Sunday.