In a pulsating finale to the T20I series, the Indian cricket team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, secured a dramatic victory over Charith Asalanka’s Sri Lanka in the third and final T20I at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on July 30. India achieved a clean sweep in the series, winning 3-0, despite facing a challenging final match that extended into a Super Over. The Indian side emerged victorious from a precarious position, largely due to the exceptional bowling performances of Rinku Singh and Suryakumar Yadav in the final overs of the match.
India’s resilient performance
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first, putting India on the back foot early on. The Lankan bowlers restricted the Indian top-order significantly, with only Shubman Gill managing to make a substantial impact. Gill scored 39 runs off 37 balls, while the rest of the top-order struggled, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (10), Sanju Samson (0), Rinku Singh (1), Suryakumar Yadav (8), and Shivam Dube (13) all failing to contribute effectively. India lost five wickets for just 45 runs, struggling to build a solid foundation.
Despite the top-order collapse, Ryan Parag (26 off 18 balls) and Washington Sundar (25 off 18 balls) provided some valuable contributions. Their efforts, along with Gill’s innings, helped India post a total of 137 runs for 9 wickets in 20 overs. Mahesh Theekshana was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, claiming three wickets.
Sri Lanka’s chase and super over drama
In response, Sri Lanka’s chase was anchored by Kusal Mendis, who scored 43 runs off 41 balls. However, key moments in the match turned the tide in India’s favor. Washington Sundar’s crucial double-wicket over in the 17th over, where he dismissed two Sri Lankan batsmen, significantly tightened the contest. When Sri Lanka needed 9 runs from 12 balls, Rinku Singh, making his T20 debut as a bowler, delivered a stunning 19th over. He dismissed Kusal Perera (46 off 34 balls) and Ramesh Mendis, leaving Sri Lanka needing 6 runs off the final over.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav took charge of the last over for India and delivered a remarkable performance, taking two wickets and conceding only five runs. This superb bowling effort restricted Sri Lanka to 137 runs for 8 wickets in their 20 overs, and the match proceeded to the Super Over.
The decisive super over: India’s thrilling finish
The match was pushed into a Super Over after the scores were tied at 137 runs each following the regular 20 overs. The Super Over began with Sri Lanka batting first, facing a crucial task to set a challenging target for India.
Sri Lanka’s innings in the Super Over was quickly disrupted by India’s Washington Sundar, who delivered a masterful performance. Sundar’s accuracy and composure under pressure were evident as he restricted Sri Lanka to just 3 runs in their Super Over. His first delivery resulted in a single, and he followed up with a well-placed ball that yielded another single. Sundar’s next delivery trapped a Sri Lankan batsman in front of the stumps for a critical wicket. After another dot ball and a single, Sundar struck again, taking another wicket and ensuring the Sri Lankans could only manage a total of 3 runs.
With the modest target set, India’s Suryakumar Yadav took on the challenge of chasing down the runs. Yadav, known for his ability to perform under pressure, began confidently. He faced the first ball of the Super Over with intent, and with a powerful stroke, struck a boundary through the infield. This boundary not only secured the winning runs but also sealed the match for India, confirming their clean sweep of the series with a 3-0 victory.
Here’s how Netizens reacted:
I feel pity for Sri Lanka cricket fans. What do they have to see these days.#SLvIND
— Avesh Yadav (@Aveshyadav) July 30, 2024
This is called COMEBACK and this is what we call WORLD CHAMPIONS !!! 🔥🔥#INDvSL #INDvsSL #SuryaKumarYadav #WashingtonSundar #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/FfAIMB29Cm
— Praneet Samaiya (@praneetsamaiya) July 30, 2024
Congratulations surya and gambhir for winning the maiden series.🙌❤️#SLvIND
— Anurag Pandey🇮🇳 (@AnuragP52225) July 30, 2024
What a match. What a performance by Rinku Singh and Surya Kumar Yadav. I will never forget this match 😂 pic.twitter.com/KZGIxX8h8Q
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) July 30, 2024
No matter who wins the super over , man of the match award should go to SKY. Not even in the wildest imagination with 9 runs required of the last 2 overs with 6 wickets in hand , no captain would have chosen the option to bowl Rinku and SKY in the 19th and 20th over.
— Prasanna (@prasannalara) July 30, 2024
Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh, who had never bowled before in 94 T20Is between them, have just come on with nine runs to defend in two overs against Sri Lanka, taken two wickets each, and the game is going to a super over. Madness
— Ben Gardner (@Ben_Wisden) July 30, 2024
Made it look like stealing Kandy from a baby 😉 SL needed 9 off 12, then death bowlers Rinku and SKY took the game to super over in which Washi gave just 2 runs and India won with ease. Very well played and congratulations on 3-0 👏🏼👏🏼 #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/Y36kkQoOlV
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) July 30, 2024
Well played boys! IND takes the series 3-0 with an exciting Super Over win over Sri Lanka🇮🇳 What a game guys😍
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) July 30, 2024
W4SHI DOES IT AGAIN! ✌️ in ✌️ in the Super Over 🤩💫#SLvIND pic.twitter.com/Yo0THPh8us
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) July 30, 2024
3rd T20I: India won the super over and clinched the T20I series. #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/8FPsjfbAKw
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 30, 2024
India win a nail-biting Super Over in the third T20I against Sri Lanka and clinch the series 3-0.
Scorecard: https://t.co/Pw2YYigo6H#Cricket #India #SriLanka #T20I #Superover #Pallekele #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/cCMkotQOzc
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) July 30, 2024
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