India put up a disciplined performance against Sri Lanka in the second Twenty20 international in Indore on Tuesday to win the tie with seven wickets.
India has fast bowler Navdeep Saini, who gave a top performance through bowling.
Saini, who is a fast bowler, returned impressive 2-18. While fellow paceman Shardul Thakur claimed three wickets to give Sri Lankan batters headache by restricting them to 142 for nine.
The hosts were able to surpass the target in 17.3 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Recall that the opening match could not hold due to a torrential downpour after the host had won the toss.
Also, KL Rahul, top-scored with 45, while Shikhar Dhawan made 32, on his return from injury to put on 71 runs for the opening wicket, which laid the platform for India’s comfortable chase on a good batting pitch.
Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga was handy for the two openers as he bowled Rahul with a googly and then dismissed Dhawan leg between wicket after a successful review.
Shreyas Iyer was ousted by paceman Lahiru Kumara, after scoring 34 while skipper Virat Kohli, who made an unbeaten 30 and hit the winning six, put on a key 51-run stand for the third wicket.
India had won the toss again, and they elected to field first. This helped the team to set the platform for the win over the visitors, all thanks to the bowlers.
Sri Lanka has themselves to blame after losing wickets at regular intervals despite having a good start. Two key strikes from wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav with 28 from Kusal Perera further put a lid on the islanders’ scoring.
Saini was at his best when he bowled opener Danushka Gunathilaka for 20. He also claimed Bhanuka Rajapaksa caught behind for nine, which made Sri Lanka slip to 104 for five.
Also, Jasprit Bumrah showed his pace taking a wicket on his return from a four-month injury lay-off by bowling Dasun Shanaka with a slower ball.
In his final over and the team’s 19th, Thakur rattled the lower-order with three strikes, including two in successive deliveries.
Hasaranga finished off the innings with three successive fours off Bumrah, but his effort was not enough.
The third and final match if the three tests will hold on Friday in Pune.
Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed
