Ravi Bishnoi’s three-wicket haul headlined India’s excellent bowling performance, leading to a seven-wicket victory in a rain-shortened match in Pallekele. This win gave the visitors an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Chasing a rain-adjusted target of 78 in 8 overs, Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Suryakumar Yadav once again contributed significantly as India chased down the target with ease.
Key Moments in the Match
Sri Lanka appeared set for a strong finish at 130/2 at the end of the 15th over, but a collapse saw them manage only 161/9. India’s bowlers, particularly in the final five overs, limited Sri Lanka to just 31 runs for the loss of seven wickets, ensuring a below-par total for the hosts.
Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera gave Sri Lanka a solid start, taking advantage of an erratic spell from Mohammed Siraj. Perera, continuing from his form last night, quickly gained momentum. Despite a change in strategy, India couldn’t make significant early inroads, but the spinners—Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel, and Riyan Parag—kept the middle overs tight.
Bishnoi was particularly effective, trapping Nissanka with a googly and dismissing Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga later. His figures of 3 for 26 were instrumental in restricting Sri Lanka. Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh also made vital contributions in the field, with Singh taking two sharp catches to remove Kamindu Mendis and Perera.
India’s Run-Chase
The chase was briefly interrupted by rain, leading to a revised target of 78 in 8 overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Suryakumar Yadav ensured a swift response post-resumption. Jaiswal’s aggressive start and Suryakumar’s trio of boundaries against Maheesh Theekshana put India on the front foot. Despite a first-ball duck for Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya’s quickfire 22* off 9 balls sealed the win with nine balls to spare.
Brief Scores
- Sri Lanka: 161/9 (Kusal Perera 53; Ravi Bishnoi 3-26)
- India: 81/3 in 6.3 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 30, Suryakumar Yadav 26, Hardik Pandya 22*; Maheesh Theekshana 1-16)
Conclusion
India’s disciplined bowling and calculated batting in the revised chase underscored their dominance in the series. With this victory, they have secured the series win with one match to play, showcasing their resilience and tactical acumen in challenging conditions.
