India have registered a commanding seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the rain-affected second T20I of their three-match series on Sunday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead. The match, held under the DLS method due to weather interruptions, saw India chase down a revised target of 78 in just 6.3 overs, with skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal leading the charge.
Sri Lanka sets a challenging target
After losing the toss, Sri Lanka, batting first, posted a respectable total of 161/9. The innings started well with Pathum Nissanka playing aggressively, scoring 32 off 24 balls before falling to Ravi Bishnoi. Sri Lanka managed 54 runs in the powerplay despite the loss of Kusal Mendis. Kusal Perera was the standout performer for the hosts, adding crucial runs with a half-century, scoring 53 off 34 balls with six boundaries and two sixes.
Middle overs and late collapse
Perera’s innings injected much-needed momentum into the Sri Lankan total, but his dismissal by Hardik Pandya in the 16th over proved pivotal. Pandya also claimed the wicket of Kamindu Mendis in the same over. The Sri Lankan innings faltered in the final overs, scoring just 22 runs in the last four overs. Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga were both dismissed for golden ducks, and Sri Lanka’s total was capped at 161.
Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh shine with the ball
Ravi Bishnoi emerged as the standout bowler for India, taking 3/26 in his four overs, effectively disrupting Sri Lanka’s batting line-up. Arshdeep Singh also contributed with two crucial wickets. Their combined efforts ensured that Sri Lanka could not build on their initial momentum and were restricted to a manageable total.
Also WATCH: Ravi Bishnoi dismisses Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga in consecutive balls | SL vs IND, 2nd T20I
Rain interruption and India’s chase
The chase was interrupted by rain, but India was set a revised target of 78 in eight overs. The start of the innings was rocky for India as Sanju Samson fell for a golden duck, dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana with a superb delivery. However, Jaiswal and Suryakumar stabilized the innings with aggressive batting. Suryakumar scored 26 off 12 balls before being dismissed by Matheesha Pathirana. Jaiswal scored a brisk 30 off 15 balls, providing a solid foundation for the chase. Pandya then ensured there were no further hiccups, scoring 22 not out off nine balls. Pandya’s powerful hitting, including a boundary off Pathirana, sealed the match for India and secured the series victory.
Here’s how Fans reacted:
Yashasvi Jaiswal is him. He is him.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) July 28, 2024
Such a refreshing batch to watch to try and ace this format of the game.
Have quite a few things to sort but can be done in coming time.#SLvIND
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) July 28, 2024
I didn’t expect this to be such a walk in the park chasing 78 in 8 overs we won by 7 wickets and with 9 balls to spare. #SLvIND #INDvSL
— Prantik (@Pran__07) July 28, 2024
ℍℙ finishes off in style! 🔥#MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians #SLvIND
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) July 28, 2024
#TeamIndia seals the series with a comfortable chase to make it 2-0 🇮🇳💙#AavaDe | #SLvIND
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) July 28, 2024
Series pocketed with a game to spare! 💼
Indian batters run riot in a rain curtailed game to make it 2 out of 2. 🔥#PlayBold #TeamIndia #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/E51xOQCG21
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) July 28, 2024
2/2 for team India in SL. Good combined effort from the bowlers and then batters ensured no hiccups in the chase. Biggest plus so far has been Riyan Parag’s bowling. 3 wkts last game and bowled four overs today. Well played 👏🏼 #SLvIND
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) July 28, 2024
Turned out to be a great toss to win in the end. 160 could have been a much different game. Played boys.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) July 28, 2024
India beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets (DLS Method) in the 2nd T20I match 🏏
Scorecard: https://t.co/7RUEJB5UpD#Cricket #India #SriLanka #T20I #pallekele #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/MtToTZFKZg
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) July 28, 2024
Secured the T20I series with a game to spare! 🙌 Top effort from our boys! Ravi Bishnoi spun the ball both ways and consistently troubled the batters – a well deserved 3-fer for the youngster! 🔥 Eyes on the 3rd T20I as we look to seal a series whitewash!@BCCI || #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/8RBLj46fxY
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) July 28, 2024
Another convincing bilateral T20I series win for #TeamIndia. 🇮🇳🏏
Bishnoi, Jaiswal, Captain Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya all played their roles to perfection to help India make a ruthless performance. Well done!! 🇮🇳#SLvIND pic.twitter.com/e9Xkkb8k5i
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) July 28, 2024
Also READ: List of players left out of India squads for T20I and ODI series on Sri Lanka 2024
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