India’s new T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav kicked off his stint on a winning note as the visitors defeated Sri Lanka by 43 runs in the first T20I at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on Saturday.
India posted a par score of 213 runs on the board after they were put into bat by Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka. Shubman Gill (34 off 16) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (40 off 21) took the aggressive approach from the get-go, smashing 74 runs in the first six overs.
Suryakumar Yadav was able to get off the blocks while batting at one down, reaching his fifty off just 22 balls. SKY scored a fine knock of 58 runs off just 26 balls whereas Rishabh Pant played a decent knock of 49 runs off 33 balls.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka was in a shoo-in position after their openers – Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis added 84 runs for the opening alliance off just 52 balls. The hosts were 140-1 after 14 overs but veered off the track in the run-chase as they lost the remaining nine wickets for only 30 runs.
Axar Patel got rid of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera in one over and turned the tables for India.
Suryakumar Yadav, who was awarded Player of the Match for the 16th time in T20Is, said in the post-match presentation, “They were playing a good brand of cricket from ball one. They were keeping the tempo, credit goes to them. We know how the wicket plays in the night. We were fortunate that there was no dew. The way we played in the World Cup, that reminded us that the game was still too far. (Left-right combination to be persisted?) Whatever works for the team, we’ll take the call.”
The second T20I between the two sides will be played at the same venue on Sunday.
