3rd T20I, Pune, January 10, 2020, 07:00 PM
India
201/6(20.0ov)
Sri Lanka
123/10(15.5ov)
India beat Sri Lanka by 78 runs
So that is it from this game and series. It was as one-sided as it could be. India have started the year and decade in a dominant fashion. Tougher test awaits the Men in Blue as they welcome Australia for 3 ODIs. Sri Lanka will look to put this tour behind them and now go to Zimbabwe for two Test series starting from 19th January. The first ODI between India and Australia starts on 14th January. That game begins at 1330 local (0800 GMT). Join us for that one till then, goodbye!
Man of the Series, Navdeep Saini, says he is getting better with every game he plays and the other bowlers also help him learn more. States he has always bowled fast and he works hard to keep that skill by gyming and maintaining a diet. Ends by saying he use to play with the tennis ball before and he recently started playing with the rubber ball.
Man of the Match, Shardul Thakur, says he believes he has the ability with the bat and his contribution could be crucial for the team. Mentions he is a better outswinger and he always looks to swing the ball. States his team has been really helpful and he does not feel left out and they all are united. Ends by saying he starts preparing himself even before he goes out to bat and that helps him not to play under pressure.
Sri Lankan skipper, Lasith Malinga, says they bowled fine till the 15th over but once the dew came into play, it got difficult. Further adds they did not start well with the bat but Angelo and Dhananjaya did well but it was too late by then. States they need to handle situations better and that is something they will learn. Mentions they do not have a lot of time to change the squad as the World Cup is not far away so they need to learn quickly. Ends by saying the world is using the wrist spinners as a wicket-taking options and they have a few and they want to finalize who will be their spinners in the World Cup.
One of the stars with the bat for India tonight, Manish Pandey, is caught down for a quick chat with Sanjay Manjerekar. Manish Pandey says a comeback was always on the back of his head, he got a chance today and he is happy he could forge a good stand with Shardul and he would continue to push hard and put in efforts. States that he has been batting well in the domestic circuit and that is what was in the back of his head and he had to deliver today and he did so. Ends by saying he keeps working on his skills and on different shots and such situations does arrive where you will need to execute those skills.
Earlier in the evening, after being put into bat, India posted a huge total of 201 which was too hot to handle for the tourists. Fifties from Dhawan and Rahul along with cameos from Manish Pandey and Shardul Thakur saw the hosts reach this giant total. Only Lakshan Sandakan had something to smile about as he picked up 3/35 from his 4.
India were commendable with the ball. They repeated their super showing with the bat, with the ball as well. The pace trio of Navdeep, Shardul and Bumrah was too hot to handle for the tourists. The trio picked up 3, 2 and 1 wicket respectively. Sundar and Chahal had a tough day but the former did manage to get two wickets and must see this as a one-off. All-in-all it was a very good effort from the bowlers.
If the match in Indore was one-sided then we don't know what to call this one. It has been a no-show from Sri Lanka. They have had a torrid time in India and they would look to forget this tour and game as quickly as possible. Chasing a huge target of 202, one needs contribution from majority of the batters but only two players got into double figures and that says enough about the chase. Nothing much to talk about, the only positive for the Lankan Lions was Angelo Mathews' solid batting on his comeback and a fifty from Dhananjaya de Silva. No other batter managed to even score 10 runs.
15.5
W
OUT! Saini picks the last wicket! INDIA WIN THE GAME AND THE SERIES! A short one and on middle, Malinga looks to flat-bat it over mid off but fails to get any timing on it. It lobs towards mid off where Kohli takes it. THE HOSTS WIN BY 78 RUNS!
15.4
1
A full toss around off, Kumara opens the face of the bat and guides it down to third man for one.
The last man in is Lahiru Kumara!
15.3
W
OUT! TAKEN! Saini gets another and the last recognized batter is out of here. Shorter and outside off, Dhananjaya looks to cut but ends up hitting it uppishly towards third man where Bumrah takes a simple catch.
15.2
4
FOUR! Dhananjaya de Silva shuffles right across and Saini bowls it full. He flicks it through square leg and bags a boundary.
15.1
.
On the shorter side and around off, Dhananjaya pulls but to the fielder at mid-wicket.
Sri Lankan skipper, Lasith Malinga walks out to save the blushes. Also, Navdeep Saini is back to bowl out.
In over# 1
0W
1
2
2
1
1
Washington Sundar 37/2(4)
14.6
W
OUT! STUMPED! Number 8 down. Sandakan comes down the track and Sundar spots that. He fires it outside off. Sandakan swings blindly but misses and Samson does the rest. Sundar ends his spell with a wicket. His figures 4-0-37-2.
14.5
1
Shorter in length and outside off, DdS lofts it over cover and takes one.
14.4
2
Another short ball which is pulled through square leg for two.
14.3
2
Well fielded! Once again it is Chahal! Shorter and on middle, Sandakan pulls it through square leg. Chahal in the deep runs to his right, slides and keeps it to two. Fifty for Dhananjaya, a very good innings from him. He fought a lone battle here.
14.2
1
Loopy ball outside off, Sandakan keeps it out towards cover for one.
14.1
1
On off, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.
Washington Sundar to bowl out.
In over# 1
1
0W
0
0W
1wd
0
0
Shardul Thakur 19/2(3)
13.6
1
Very full and outside off, this is jammed out towards third man for one.
Lakshan Sandakan walks out to bat now.
13.5
W
OUT! RUN OUT! A direct hit and Hasaranga is nowhere in the frame! Chahal has a big smile on his face and rightly so, he's done really well here. A full toss on middle, it is hit towards mid off. The batters take off. Chahal picks the ball up and scores a direct hit at the non-striker's end. Number 7 down.
13.4
.
Back of a length and on off, kept out.
Wanindu Hasaranga is the new man in.
13.3
W
OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Thakur with another wicket. He has been brilliant with both bat and ball in this series. This is slightly short and on middle, it skids through. Shanaka looks to heave but the ball arrives a lot sooner than he expected. It hits the splice and lobs back to the bowler who accepts a dolly.
13.3
1wd
WIDE! Very wide outside off, Shanaka does go after it but misses.
13.2
.
A sharp bumper, Shanaka is taken by surprise, he is way too late in the pull.
13.1
.
Back of a length and on off, kept out.
Shardul Thakur comes back into the attack!
In over# 1
1
6
0
1
4
1
Yuzvendra Chahal 33/0(3)
12.6
1
On middle, Shanaka works it through mid-wicket for one.
12.5
6
SIX! Powered! Slightly shorter and on middle, Shanaka rocks back and hammers it over the long on fence.
12.4
.
Very full and on middle, this is hit back to the bowler.
12.3
1
Shorter and around off, this is pushed through covers for one.
12.2
4
FOUR! A good effort though by Pandey. This is floated up on middle, it is lofted over the bowler's head. Pandey runs to his left and then tries to push it back in. He seems to have done so but hurts his hand in the process. The umpire takes it upstairs to check and replays show that the feet is touching the ropes when he tries to push the ball back.
12.1
1
The googly, it is worked around the corner for one.
Yuzvendra Chahal is back on.
In over# 1
1
0
1
0
0W
6
Washington Sundar 30/1(3)
11.6
1
On the pads, Shanaka glances it to the leg side and keeps the strike.
11.5
.
The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
11.4
1
Floated on middle, Dhananjaya milks it to long on for one.
11.3
.
Flatter around off, Dhananjaya plays it to point.
Dasun Shanaka walks out to bat.
11.2
W
OUT! Angelo holes out! Sundar shows smartness and courage. He tosses this up well outside off, Mathews looks to go for a big one. He gets down on one knee and looks to drag his sweep from there. He ends up hitting it off the toe end of the bat. It lobs towards long off. Manish Pandey charges in from long off and takes a good catch tumbling. A good stand, not in the context of the game but in general has been broken.
11.1
6
SIX! That has been deposited into the stands. Floated on off, Angelo gets down on one knee and slogs it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.
Washington Sundar comes from the other end now.
In over# 1
0
4
1
1
0
4
Navdeep Saini 23/1(3)
10.6
.
A yorker on middle, it is jammed out.
10.5
4
FOUR! Played nice and fine! Deft. Shorter and outside off, de Silva just opens the face of the bat and guides it nice and fine on the off side for a boundary.
10.4
1
One more short ball and on middle, Mathews pulls it towards deep backward square leg for one.
10.3
1
Very full and on middle, this is whipped through wide long on for one.
10.2
.
Back of a length and it is guided through point for one.
10.1
4
FOUR! It is raining boundaries here now! Saini serves a full toss, a gift. Dhananjaya lofts it over mid off and bags a boundary.
Pace is back on. Navdeep Saini is back into the attack.
In over# 1
1
2
1
1
0
6
Yuzvendra Chahal 20/0(2)
9.6
1
Shortish and on off, this is pulled through mid-wicket for one.
9.5
2
Nicely played! Shorter again and on middle, Dhananjaya lofts it over the bowler's head and takes two. 50-run stand up between the two. It is a good partnership but they still have a very long way to go.
9.4
1
The slider, it is quicker and around middle, Mathews pushes it down to long on and takes one. The partnership between two is 49.
9.3
1
On middle, it is hit down to long on for one.
9.2
.
Flatter and quicker on the pads, Dhananjaya looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.
9.1
6
SIX! Sri Lanka have stepped on the gas here! 25 in the last 7 balls. Dhananjaya makes room and Chahal tosses it up outside off. Dhananjaya lofts it over covers and it goes all the way. They need to keep going.
In over# 1
6
1
4
1
6
1b
Washington Sundar 22/0(2)
8.6
6
SIX! Into the stands! End of a huge over. 19 from it. This is tossed up on middle, Mathews lofts it with ease over the long on fence and it goes all the way.
8.5
1
He too follows the boundary with a single as this is worked through mid-wicket.
8.4
4
FOUR! Dhananjaya de Silva joins the act now. Not off the middle but he won't care. Shorter and around off, DdS looks to loft it over the covers off the back foot. The ball though squirts off the outside edge and goes through backward point for a boundary.
8.3
1
Sundar bowls it quicker and on off, AM guides it through point for one.
8.2
6
SIX! Finally some intent shown by a Sri Lankan batter. Mathews brings out the slog sweep and nails it. Clears the mid-wicket fence.
8.1
1b
OHHH! That has just about missed the off pole! Shorter and just outside off, it comes back in. De Silva looks to pull but it stays low. Beats the bat and just about misses the off pole. It hits the keeper and goes towards the leg side. A bye taken.
In over# 1
1
1
1
1
1
4
Yuzvendra Chahal 9/0(1)
7.6
1
Shortish again and on off, this is pushed through covers for one.
7.5
1
On middle, Mathews lunges and works it through mid-wicket for one.
7.4
1
Slightly shorter again, de Silva rocks back and punches it through covers for one.
7.3
1
The batsman defends it from within the crease. One run added to the total.
7.2
1
Shorter and on middle, this is pushed through covers for one.
7.1
4
FOUR! Welcome into the attack, Chahal. Shorter and outside off, Dhananjaya goes back, plays it late and guides it through backward point for a boundary.
Time for some spin now. The leg spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal is on!
In over# 1
2
0
0
1
0
1
Washington Sundar 4/0(1)
6.6
2
Two taken! This is on the pads, Mathews works it with soft hands towards mid-wicket for two.
6.5
.
Fires it on the stumps again, it is once again blocked. So Sri Lanka might have decided to play out the 20 overs.
6.4
.
Fires it on the stumps, blocked.
6.3
1
Floats it up on off, this is eased down to long on for one.
6.2
.
Flatter and on middle, this is pushed to mid-wicket.
6.1
1
On middle, this is nudged around the corner for one.
Washington Sundar is on now!
In over# 1
4
0
0
0
4
1wd
0W
Navdeep Saini 13/1(2)
5.6
4
FOUR! Pulled away! Shorter and on middle, Dhananjaya pulls it through mid-wicket and it races away. He looks solid here. Sri Lanka stuttering here at 35/4 at the end of Powerplay. India were 63/0 at this stage.
5.5
.
This is angled into the off pole, blocked.
5.4
.
Good fielding! Shorter and outside off, it is guided towards point.
5.3
.
Back of a length and on off, this is guided to point.
5.2
4
FOUR! Exquisite! That has gone to the fence like a tracer bullet. It is shorter and outside off, Dhananjaya opens the face and guides it through point. No need to run for those. Good way to get off the mark.
5.2
1wd
WIDE! Way too short and wide outside off, Dhananjaya looks to cut but misses.
Dhananjaya de Silva is the new man in.
5.1
W
OUT! KABOOM! This guy is getting better with each game! Bowled a corker of a yorker to get a wicket in the last game and does so again over here. Just unplayable! The first ball he bowls, to execute it so correctly is just brilliant. It sneaks right under the bat as Perera looks to jam it out and the stumps are disturbed.
Navdeep Saini is on now!
In over# 1
4
1
0
4
1
1
Shardul Thakur 17/1(2)
4.6
4
FOUR! In the gap! Another boundary! 11 from the over. Still below the run rate needed. Mathews comes down the track and Thakur bowls it short. It is pulled through mid-wicket and it races away to the fence.
4.5
1
Back of a length and on middle, Perera pushes it to mid on and a run is taken.
4.4
.
On the shorter side and on the body, Perera looks to pull but is hurried into the shot. It hits the glove and rolls towards mid-wicket.
4.3
4
FOUR! This is right off the middle and a boundary! Full and on off, KP drags it over mid on and it races away. That was in his arc, Sri Lanka need a lot more of these.
4.2
1
Yes, no and then eventually they take a run! Back of a length and on off, this is pushed towards covers. Mathews wants a run but Perera is not sure. They then go for it and complete it.
4.1
1
Mistimed but a run! On a length and around off, Perera looks to smash it down the ground but gets it nowhere off the middle. It lands in no man's land in the mid off region. One taken.
Change of ends for Thakur!
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0W
Jasprit Bumrah 5/1(2)
3.6
.
Maiden from Bumrah! India are off to an excellent start. Length ball outside off, Mathews cuts it straight to point. 187 needed off 96 now. The required rate has gone up close to 12.
3.5
.
Length delivery outside off, Mathews looks to punch it but does so off the inner half of his bat towards cover.
3.4
.
Hits the deck hard on off, AM blocks it.
3.3
.
Good length delivery outside off, it is an away swinger which Bumrah has developed recently. Mathews leaves it alone.
3.2
.
Outside off, Mathews throws his bat at it but misses.
Angelo Mathews is the new man in.
3.1
W
OUT! Run Out! Sri Lanka in the deep end of troubled waters in just the 4th over of the game. Another batter is back in the hut and the huge target looks next to impossible to achieve now. Full toss on the pads, Kusal looks to flick but gets hit on the pad. There is a huge appeal from Bumrah. The ball moves towards backward point and Oshada meanwhile looks to steal a leg bye. But then he sees that the single is too risky but Perera is off. Oshada sacrifices himself and walks into the flame. Manish Pandey charges to the ball and sees Oshada is long way out so he runs to the stumps and dislodges the bails at the keeper's end.
Change of ends for Bumrah.
In over# 1
0
2
1
0
0
0
1wd
Navdeep Saini 4/0(1)
2.6
.
Bouncer to end the over. Good start from Saini just 4 off his first. It is short around off, Oshada sways away from it.
2.5
2
Good length delivery on the pads, Oshada turns it to the leg side and gets a single.
2.4
1
On the pads, Kusal flicks it to the on side for a single.
2.3
.
Back of a length delivery around middle, Kusal looks to go for a pull but misses.
2.2
.
Fuller on off, Kusal pushes it to covers.
2.1
.
Good length delivery outside off, Perera looks to defend but misses as the ball moves away.
2.1
1wd
WIDE! False start for Saini. Sprays it well wide of the tramline to begin with. Kusal leaves it alone.
Navdeep Saini is on.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0W
6
0
Shardul Thakur 6/1(1)
1.6
.
Outside off on a length, it moves away. Oshada calmly leaves it alone. Good start for India.
1.5
.
Good ball. Good length delivery around off, it shapes away from Oshada. He looks to defend but misses.
1.4
.
Length ball on off, Oshada blocks it.
The new man in is Oshada Fernando.
1.3
W
OUT! Caught! Avishka win the battle but it is Shardul who has won the war. Length delivery outside off, Fernando looks to drive it on the up but does so uppishly and he hits it straight to Shreyas Iyer at point. We are just into the second over and Sri Lanka have lost two wickets already. Both the openers are back in the hut.
1.2
6
SIX! Bang! This is out of here. Good length delivery on middle, Avishka clears his front foot and smashes it over the mid-wicket fence for the first biggie of the innings. Sri Lanka need a lot more of these.
1.1
.
Good length delivery on off from Thakur. Avishka defends it towards cover.
Kusal Perera is the new man in. Also, Shardul Thakur to partner Bumrah.
In over# 1
0W
1wd
1
2
0
0
1
Jasprit Bumrah 5/1(1)
0.6
W
OUT! Caught! Simple catch for Washington Sundar. The short ball has done the trick and the tactic to bang it in short has reaped its reward in the very first over. Sri Lanka's chase is off to a terrible start. Bumrah bends his back and bowls a 141.4 kph short ball. Gunathilaka looks to pull but is late and ends up hitting it straight towards mid on where Sundar takes a simple catch. With that Bumrah becomes the leading wicket-taker for India in T20Is.
0.6
1wd
Goes full but slips this one down the leg side. The batter looks to flick but misses. Wided.
0.5
1
A quick run! This is angled into the batter, AF works it towards the leg side and gets to the other end.
0.4
2
Safe! Shorter in length and outside off, Fernando looks to drag the ball but it hits the toe-end and lobs over the mid on fielder. Two taken. Fernando is off the mark.
0.3
.
Good stop! Length and outside off, Fernando opens the face of the bat and guides it nicely towards cover-point. The fielder there dives to his left and makes a good stop.
0.2
.
Play and a miss! This is shorter and outside off, it shapes away a little. Fernando goes after it but misses.
0.1
1
On the pads, this is worked down to fine leg for one. Sri Lanka get underway straightaway.
We are back for the chase! The Lankan openers, Danushka Gunathilaka and Avishka Fernando walk out. The left-hander will be on strike and he will be facing Jasprit Bumrah who has the new ball in hand. Here we go...
So Sri Lanka have a huge task of chasing 202 to end the series level. India are comfortably in the drivers seat and the onus now is on the bowlers to win this for them. Will the host seal the series or will Sri Lanka make a comeback with the bat? Join us in a while for the chase.
It was a tough day in the field for Sri Lanka. After opting to bowl,the visitors got to a terrible start but Wanindu Hasaranga and Lakshan Sandakan pulled things back for their side. It looked like Sri Lanka would manage to restrict the hosts to an average score on this batting friendly pitch but once again towards the end the tourists lost the plot and now have a mammoth task of chasing 202. Sandakan was the star with the ball, ending up with a very good figures of 4-0-35-3.
After being put into bat, India got off to a superb start as openers, Dhawan and Rahul started on the 5th gear and set the platform with a 97-run opening stand. But once Dhawan departed after getting to his fifty, the hosts started to lose wickets. From 97/0 they found themselves at 122/4. Virat Kohli and Manish Pandey then steadied the ship with a brisk 42-run stand. But once the Indian skipper departed, Sundar followed him in the next ball. It looked like India would struggle to reach 180 but firecrackers towards the end from Manish Pandey and Shardul Thakur ensured India went past the 200-run mark.
Blistering finish from Thakur and Pandey. 19 from the last over and 59 from the last 4 overs has seen India post a mammoth total of 201. The hosts have put up a big score and have all the momentum on their side heading into the break.
19.6
2
A couple and up comes the 200! Very full and on middle, this is jammed out over the bowler. Two taken. INDIA END WITH 201!
19.5
4
FOUR! It is raining boundaries here in this last over! Kumara is not sure where to bowl at the moment. He bangs this short. Pandey loves the short balls. It is pulled hard through square leg and the ball races away to the fence.
19.4
1
A full toss on the leg stump, Thakur hits it towards mid off for one.
19.3
4
FOUR! Over covers! Thakur really bags a punch! It is another length ball and there is width on offer this time. Thakur hammers it over the cover fielder and gets another boundary.
19.2
6
SIX! That is another top shot! Wow! Right over the bowler's head! A length delivery around middle, Thakur just lofts it over the bowler's head and it goes for a biggie.
19.1
2
Slower one on middle, this is hit hard down towards long on for a couple. It was another slower one, Thakur did really well to wait and then hit it.
In over# 1
1
1
4
2
1
6
Lasith Malinga 40/0(4)
18.6
1
A single to end! Full and on middle, this is hit towards long on for one. 15 from Malinga's last. He was not at his best here tonight. Ends with figures of 4-0-40-0.
18.5
1
Very full on off, it is hit down to long off for one.
18.4
4
FOUR! Carved away! Shorter in length and outside off, Pandey stands tall and guides it through point for a boundary. This is already an expensive over.
18.3
2
Comedy of errors there! It is a full ball around middle, Pandey strokes it straight back past the bowler. The fielder from long off runs to his right, slides and then looks to lob the ball towards the fielder at long on. He though slips, it goes behind him. However, he recovers and does not concede an extra run. Two taken.
18.2
1
In the air... lands safe! A full ball and on off, Thakur swings again but mistimes it completely. It lands safe in the mid off region and a run is taken.
18.1
6
SIX! Take that, Malinga! What a hit that is. It is shorter and it is the slower one outside off. Thakur stands tall, waits for it and then smashes it over the long on fence for a biggie. Ideal start to the over.
Lasith Malinga to bowl out now!
In over# 1
1
1wd
1
0W
1W
1
4
Lahiru Kumara 27/1(3)
17.6
1
Around off, Thakur punches it through the off side for a single.
17.6
1wd
WIDE! Bouncer bounces too high. It is over the stumps, Shardul ducks under it and the umpire stretches his arms to signal it as wide.
17.5
1
Length ball around off, Manish guides it towards third man for a single.
Shardul Thakur is the new man in!
17.4
W
OUT! Caught! Sundar walks back for a golden duck. Back of a length delivery around off, Washington straightaway goes for a shot as he tries to play the upper cut. Ends up finding the man at third man for perfection. Once again India lose two wickets in quick succession. Very good comeback from the Lankans. They have roared their way back in this game.
17.3
W
OUT! RUN OUT! The Indian skipper has thrown it away here. Both these batsmen are extremely quick between the wickets but the second was just not there for the taking. Fuller on off and middle, Kohli whips it towards backward square leg. Gunathilaka charges from fine leg and quickly gets to the ball. Virat challenges Gunathilaka's arm and goes for the second. Manish was hesitant but Virat was on his bike which had no brake. Danushka sends a decent throw to the right of the keeper. Perera dives and dislodges all the stumps. The umpire goes upstairs but Virat is already walking. One look at the replay and the giant screen shows OUT!
A run out appeal and Kohli is already walking back! It was a suicidal run and this looks out.
17.2
1
Now smashes it to wide long on for a single.
17.1
4
FOUR! Manish is making his return count. Off cutter on middle, Pandey picks it early. He stays on his back foot and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Lahiru Kumara is back.
In over# 1
2
4
1
1
6
2
Angelo Mathews 38/0(3)
16.6
2
Poor bowling again but this time it only costs two! Full and on the pads, it is once again worked behind square on the leg side. It is closer to the fielder in the deep, he runs to his right, slides and keeps it down to two.
16.5
4
FOUR! Another gift and Kohli surely won't let it go! It is a full toss on the pads, Kohli whips it behind square on the leg side and it races away to the fence.
16.4
1
Good bowling! A yorker on middle, Pandey jams it out towards mid-wicket and takes one.
16.3
1
Very full now and on middle, Kohli works it through square leg and takes one.
16.2
6
SIX! Straight as an arrow! Probably the shot of the game. Also, the 150 is up. It is slightly fuller and on middle, Kohli shows the full face of the bat and lobs it straight over the bowler's head for a biggie.
16.1
2
Angled into the pads, Kohli works it with soft hands towards mid-wicket and takes two. Good running!
Change in bowling! Angelo Mathews comes back on. 3rd over for him. A lot of people are surprised seeing that.
In over# 1
0
2
1
0
1
0
Wanindu Hasaranga 27/1(4)
15.6
.
Flatter outside off, Pandey looks to punch but it comes off the outer half of his bat. End of a very good spell from Hasaranga. 4-0-27-0, from his quota. He came in when India were on fire but he has put some water on it.
15.5
2
Short outside off, Pandey cuts it wide of deep point and gets a couple.
15.4
1
Tossed up on middle and off, Kohli milks it to long on for a run.
15.3
.
Another dot. Sri Lanka coming back in this one. Short and spinning away, VK cuts it but finds point.
15.2
1
Short ball on off, Pandey pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.
15.1
.
Excellent googly. It spins in and comes in quicker. Manish Pandey is lucky to get his bat down late.
In over# 1
1
1
1
1
4
0
Lakshan Sandakan 35/3(4)
14.6
1
One more single! This is on the pads, it is worked towards short fine leg for one.
14.5
1
Very full and on middle, this is hit through mid-wicket for one.
14.4
1
In the air... short! Shorter in length and on middle, Pandey looks to pull but once again the ball sticks in the surface. It goes off the bottom but lands safe in the square leg region. One taken.
14.3
1
On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.
14.2
4
FOUR! Too short and put away! It is on middle, Kohli goes back and hammers it through mid-wicket. Can't bowl short twice to Kohli and get away.
14.1
.
BEATEN! Shorter and outside off, it is the slider. Kohli looks to cut but gets beaten.
In over# 1
4
1
0
1
1
0
Lahiru Kumara 18/0(2)
13.6
4
FOUR! Finds the gap and it races away! Ruins the over! Full and outside off, Pandey strokes it through covers and the ball races away to the fence. 7 from it. Still a decent over though. Sri Lanka need a few move like these.
13.5
1
Fuller and on middle, Kohli works it through mid-wicket and takes one.
13.4
.
On off, kept out.
13.3
1
Length delivery outside off, Manish taps it towards third man for a single.
13.2
1
Good length delivery around off, Kohli whips it towards mid-wicket. Manish looks for the second but Kohli says no.
13.1
.
Kumara starts with a length delivery on off, Kohli looks to defend but sends it back towards the bowler off the inner half of his bat.
Lahiru Kumara is back for his second over.
In over# 1
1
0W
4
0W
4
2
Lakshan Sandakan 27/3(3)
12.6
1
A single to end an action-packed over! Very full and on off, this is hit down to long off for one.
India losing wickets in clusters here and it sees Indian skipper, Virat Kohli walk out to the middle.
12.5
W
OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Iyer too gets a boundary on the first ball and is dismissed off the second. India from 97 for 0 are now 122 for 4. A soft dismissal to be honest. It is tossed up on middle, Iyer plays a nothing shot. He ends up lobbing it back to the bowler who takes a dolly. Sri Lanka slowly crawling back into the game. Replays actually show that the ball stuck into the surface a little and hence came slowly off it. Iyer was already into the shot, he tried pulling out but too late by then.
12.4
4
FOUR! Off the mark with a boundary! Shorter in length and outside off, it is another googly but Iyer has enough time to adjust. He cuts it through point and bags a boundary.
The crowd and all the people who have Virat Kohli in their team will have to wait longer to see the Indian skipper bat as Shreyas Iyer is the man replacing Rahul.
12.3
W
OUT! Rahul's foot is on the line! Sri Lanka have three wickets in quick succession and that is the only way they could get back in the contest here. This is a very good delivery. It is a googly, it is slower through the air and outside off. Rahul looks to drive it with the turn but is done in by the dip and the turn on this delivery. The outside edge is beaten. The keeper whips the bails off in a flash. An appeal, a very confident one and the umpire takes it upstairs. Rahul is also disappointed. Replays roll in and they show that Rahul has not made it back in time. He too departs soon after his fifty like his opening partner.
Stumping appeal taken upstairs. The Sri Lanakn players look confident and Rahul too yells in anger. Indicating that he is short of his crease.
12.2
4
FOUR! Powered! Full and outside off, Rahul smashes it back past the bowler and the ball races away to the fence. He did not even run, he just knew it is a boundary since the time it left the bat.
12.1
2
Good fielding! Rahul plays the sweep, he gets it behind square on the leg side. The fielder in the deep runs to his right, dives and pushes it back in. Saves two for his side. Fifty up for Rahul. He is showing great consistency in the recent past. Needs to keep going here.
In over# 1
1
4
1
0W
1
2
Wanindu Hasaranga 23/1(3)
11.6
1
Now calmly nudges the last ball of the over towards cover and keeps the strike.
11.5
4
FOUR! Rahul is not going to rest here. He gets a drag down delivery on off, Rahul gets on his back foot and whacks his pull through mid-wicket for a boundary.
11.4
1
Floated on off, Manish pushes it through mid off and gets a single to get off the mark.
Manish Pandey walks out to bat. He too is making a return into the team. He would hope to make an impact.
11.3
W
OUT! LBW! Sanju Samson fails to make a mark on his comeback. The googly does the trick for Wanindu. Samson's return lasts for just two balls. The wrong 'un is pitched outside off, Samson looks to drive but misreads this one. It hits him on the front pad and there is a huge appeal from the Sri Lankans. The ball moves towards third man and they go for the leg bye but in that time the umpire slowly raises his finger. Sanju asks Rahul whether he should go upstairs. After a chat, he opts against it.
11.2
1
Around the pads again, Rahul glances it to long on for one.
11.1
2
Short around the pads, Rahul whips it towards mid-wicket. The fielder from long on runs to his right and cleans it up.
In over# 1
6
0W
2
1
1
1
Lakshan Sandakan 16/1(2)
10.6
6
SIX! What a shot to get off the mark! WOW! No nerves for Samson. He is playing his first match after such a long time for India and he gets off the mark with a huge one. Maybe he just does not want the momentum to slip. This is tossed up around off, Samson leans into it and lofts it way over the long off fence. End of an action-packed over. 11 runs and wicket from it.
Who will walk out at number 3? Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer or one of Sanju Samson or Manish Pandey? Well, it's Sanju Samson. Can he make his mark and grab this opportunity?
10.5
W
OUT! Dhawan holes out! End of a fine, fine innings from SD. That though is an excellent catch Gunathilaka. That ball was travelling. It is a very full delivery on middle, Dhawan plays the slog sweep agian but could not quite get under the ball. He hits it flat and towards deep mid-wicket. Gunathilaka there runs to his right and takes a good catch. He almost lost his balance after taking it, that is how hard it was hit. A much-needed wicket for the visitors but Dhawan has done his job.
10.4
2
A couple! Slower through the air outside off, Dhawan plays the reverse sweep but could not get enough power behind it. It though clears the fielder at short third man and takes a couple.
10.3
1
On middle, it is swept through square leg for one.
10.2
1
Fifty for Dhawan! It has been a very entertaining innings. Right from the outset he has gone after the bowlers and hit them all around the park. He gets to his half ton by stroking it through covers for one. He has time for a ton here.
10.1
1
Sweeps it through square leg for one run.
In over# 1
1
1
0
1
1
6
Wanindu Hasaranga 14/0(2)
9.6
1
Rahul now takes one by flicking this through mid-wicket. So just the 4 singles after the biggie.
9.5
1
Well played in the end! Dhawan comes down the track but Hasaranga shortens his length. It is the googly. Dhawan does well to push it down to long off for one.
9.4
.
Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
9.3
1
One more single as Rahul works it through mid-wicket.
9.2
1
Now an easy single as Dhawan gently pushes it down to long off for one.
9.1
6
SIX! He has nailed that one! It is tossed up outside off, Dhawan brings out the slog sweep and hammers it well over the mid-wicket fence for a huge one.
In over# 1
1
1
1lb
1
1
1
Lakshan Sandakan 5/0(1)
8.6
1
A drag down but Dhawan only manages to pull it towards deep mid-wicket for one.
8.5
1
On the shorter side, this is worked towards wide long on and a single results.
8.4
1lb
Dhawan looks to be innovative! Brings out the reverse sweep to this delivery outside off but misses. It hits his pad and rolls on the leg side. A single taken. Leg bye signaled.
8.3
1
On middle, Rahul nudges it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
8.2
1
Outside off, this is guided through point for one.
8.1
1
That is a poor delivery to begin but only a single comes from it! It is shorter and outside off, Rahul hammers it back towards the bowler. Sandakan gets a hand to it but it bursts through and goes towards long off for one.
Lakshan Sandakan is on now. Malinga throwing almost everything here but unable to get the breakthrough.
In over# 1
1
1
0
1
1
0
Wanindu Hasaranga 4/0(1)
7.6
1
Does so! Just a single! 6 from his first. On off, this is eased through covers for one.
7.5
1
Quicker and on middle, Dhawan goes back and works it through mid-wicket for one more run. Just the five runs from the over so far. Needs to end it well.
7.4
.
On the pads again, Dhawan works it to short fine leg and calls for one but is sent back.
7.3
1
Slightly shorter, Rahul stays back and whips it down to long on for one.
7.2
1
Slower through the air and on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.
7.1
.
A nice delivery to begin with! It lands on off, Dhawan looks to play for the turn into him but it goes straight on and beats the outside edge.
Wanindu Hasaranga is on now! He was a ray of hope in the last game. Malinga needs him to break this partnership which is already taking the game away from the visitors.
In over# 1
1
0
0
4
1wd
2
1
Angelo Mathews 22/0(2)
6.6
1
Now punches it wide of the fielder at point and gets a single to get through the over.
6.5
.
Once again the repeat of the previous delivery. He finds the man at point again.
6.4
.
Outside off on a length, Shikhar cuts it but finds point.
6.3
4
FOUR! Slashed through backward point. Trademark Dhawan shot this. Length ball outside off, Dhawan cuts it hardly through backward point. Sandakan runs to his left from third man and almost stops it with the dive but he fails to pull it back cleanly and the ball touches the fence.
6.3
1wd
WIDE! Mathews goes wide outside off but goes extremely wide as it is outside the tramline. Dhawan does not even offer a shot to this.
6.2
2
Very good shot and also good running but there is protection in the deep here as well. Full and wide outside off, Dhawan slahses it through covers but the fielder at sweeper cover runs to his left and cleans it up. The batter takes a couple.
6.1
1
Full on off, Rahul drives it through cover-point for a single as there is protection in the deep.
Mathews is back on. Was expensive in his first as he went for 13 in that over.
In over# 1
1
0
1
4
4
1
Lahiru Kumara 11/0(1)
5.6
1
NOT OUT! Rahul is well in! This is fuller and on middle, it is driven to the mid on fielder. The batters go for a run. The fielder picks the ball up and hits bull's eye at the non-striker's end. An appeal but no Sri Lankan player seems excited. The umpire takes it upstairs and replays show that Rahul is well in. A single to end the Powerplay, a brilliant one for India. They are 63 for 0 after it.
Direct hit but Rahul seems to be in! The umpire though, just to be sure has taken it upstairs.
5.5
.
A rare dot! Shortish and around off, Rahul guides it to the man at point.
5.4
1
On the shorter side again but slightly outside off, Dhawan looks to cut but ends up chopping it towards third man for one.
5.3
4
FOUR! Off the front foot this time! On the fuller side and around off, Dhawan lunges forward and creams it through covers. No need to run for those.
5.2
4
FOUR! Dhawan is in some touch! Slightly shorter and outside off, there is not a lot of room on offer but Dhawan arches back and then cuts it over point and it races away. He is dealing in boundaries here.
5.1
1
Shorter and on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.
Lahiru Kumara is on! Last over of the Powerplay and Sri Lanka desperately need a wicket. Can the pace of Lahiru get the better of the Indian openers.
In over# 1
4
1
1
4
1
2
Lasith Malinga 25/0(3)
4.6
4
FOUR! Dhawan knew it was a boundary the moment the ball went past the fielder. Brings the 50-run stand in style and quick time. Full on off, Dhawan whips it through wide of mid on, showing great wrist work. The fielder at mid on runs behind it but just to get the ball back in play.
4.5
1
Comes around the wicket and hits the length hard outside off, Rahul punches it towards sweeper cover for one.
4.4
1
Follows the edgy boundary with a single towards point.
4.3
4
EDGED AND FOUR! Malinga comes around the wicket and bowls it fuller outside off. It comes with the angle, Dhawan looks to drive it against it through covers but ends up getting a thick outside edge which flies through the vacant slip cordon for a boundary. Perera does not dive and maybe had he tried he could have had a chance.
4.2
1
Once again Malinga strays it on his pads, Rahul glances it towards deep mid-wicket for a single this time.
4.1
2
On the pads, Rahul turns it to the on side and gets a couple.
In over# 1
1
6
0
1
4
1
Dhananjaya de Silva 13/0(1)
3.6
1
Very full and on off, Rahul james it out towards mid off for one. 13 from this over, India are off to a flier here.
3.5
6
SIX! A gift to Rahul and he dispatches it! A full toss on the pads, Rahul slog sweeps it over the backward square leg fence and it goes all the way. First of the game.
3.4
.
Flatter and on off, Rahul pushes it to covers.
3.3
1
Sensible batting! A boundary followed by a single down to long off.
3.2
4
FOUR! One bounce over the fence! This is floated outside off, Dhawan stays leg side and manages to drag it over the mid on fielder and bags a boundary.
3.1
1
On middle, it is worked with the turn down to long on for one.
Dhananjaya de Silva is on!
In over# 1
1
1lb
0
1
1
0
Lasith Malinga 12/0(2)
2.6
1
One more good slower one on middle, it is worked through mid-wicket for one. Just the 4 runs in the over, a much-needed tight one by Malinga.
2.5
1lb
Another swing and a miss! It starts outside off and tails back in a long way. Dhawan comes down the track and looks to whip it but misses. It hits the pads and rolls towards third man. A single taken. Leg bye taken.
2.4
.
That is a lovely delivery! It is a yorker, it seams in from outside off. Dhawan does well to jam it out in the end towards mid on.
2.3
1
One more slower ball and on middle, Rahul works it through square leg and gets to the other end.
2.2
1
A slower one on middle, Dhawan works it with soft hands through square leg for one.
2.1
.
Dhawan misses out there! It is full and on the pads, SD looks to flick but misses.
In over# 1
4
4
1
4
0
0
Angelo Mathews 13/0(1)
1.6
4
FOUR! Almost an action replay of the last ball! Similar delivery, fuller and around off, Rahul once again plants his front foot forward and strokes it through covers. The fielder there dives to his left and gets a hand to it but can't stop it. An expensive start by Mathews. He could have easily had a wicket but instead goes for 13.
1.5
4
FOUR! Stunning! Rahul playing the cover-drive is a sight to watch. It is fuller and around off, Rahul leans into the stroke, transfers his weight onto the front foot and creams it past the cover fielder for a boundary.
1.4
1
Length and outside off, this is guided down to third man for one.
1.3
4
DROPPED AND FOUR! Through the hands of Dasun! He was well ahead of the ropes. Had he been behind, it would have been an easy catch. Full and on the pads, Dhawan flicks it uppishly towards square leg. Shanaka runs to his left, leaps and tries to catch but the ball bursts through his hands and goes behind for a boundary. Mathews is not happy and rightly so. This could be a big let off.
1.2
.
Good shot but for no runs! Dhawan uses his feet and creams it right off the middle but straight to mid off.
1.1
.
Right on the money to begin with! On a length and around off, Dhawan pushes it to mid off.
The returning Angelo Mathews to partner his skipper first up with the new ball. He has not played a T20I for a long time and it will be interesting to see how quickly he adapts to the pace of the game.
In over# 1
4
1
1
0
2wd
1
0
Lasith Malinga 9/0(1)
0.6
4
FOUR! A delightful shot to end the first over! A good one for India, 9 from it. It is slightly short and shaping away from Rahul. He goes back and just uses the pace of the bowler. Plays it nice and late and guides it past the diving point fielder and into the fence.
0.5
1
Well bowled but good running! This starts outside off and then tails back in. Dhawan looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the body. It rolls beside the pitch and a quick single is taken.
0.4
1
One more single! Rahul works this through square leg and takes one.
0.3
.
On the shorter side around off, Rahul hops and cuts it towards point. It is to the right of the fielder who dives and gets a hand to it. The fielder at cover-point picks the ball up and has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses.
0.3
2wd
Wide and a run! That is a wayward delivery by Malinga! Dhawan comes down the track to negotiate the swing Malinga is getting. He though starts this around leg, it swings away further. Dhawan misses the flick. Perera only gets a glove to it. It goes towards fine leg for one run.
0.2
1
India are underway! This is shorter and on the body, Rahul flicks it by hopping. It goes uppishly but lands well short of Sandakan at short fine leg. He stops it awkwardly. A single is taken.
0.1
.
Good movement first up for Malinga! It is on a length and it starts on middle, shapes away a touch. Rahul defends it towards point. Rahul played it nicely with the movement.
We are all set to begin! The Sri Lankan players walk out to the field and take their respective positions. Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul stride out to open the innings for India. Skipper, Lasith Malinga to start the proceedings with the new ball.
India Playing XI - KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli (C), Manish Pandey (IN FOR DUBE), Sanju Samson (WK) (IN FOR PANT), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal (IN FOR KULDEEP).
Sri Lanka Playing XI - Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera (WK), Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews (IN FOR RAJAPAKSA), Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Lakshan Sandakan (IN FOR UDANA), Wanindu Hasaranga, Lasith Malinga (C), Lahiru Kumara.
Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, says they wanted to bat first as they wanted to do something different so the toss was irrelevant for them. States batting first is something they want to do a lot more as they want to be more balanced. States the trend is going towards that team wanting to chase and you can't go into the game thinking you will only play well if you get to chase so they need to be good batting first as well. Informs they have three changes, Kuldeep, Pant and Dube are replaced by Chahal, Samson and Pandey.
Sri Lankan skipper, Lasith Malinga, says there will be dew in the second half and that is why they want to bowl first. Further adds they will try and restrict India to a low total and then chase it down. States they need the top order to fire and play a long innings, they also need to build partnership and they need to do it today. Informs Angelo Mathews and Sandakan come in for Udana and Bhanuka Rajapaksa.
TOSS - We are all in readiness for the toss. Indian skipper, Virat Kohli has the coin in hand. Up it goes and Sri Lankan skipper, Lasith Malinga calls Tails and it comes down in his favour. SRI LANKA OPT TO BOWL!
PITCH REPORT - Murali Kartik and Sunil Gavaskar are down for the pitch report. Gavaskar says it is a 'vada' looking pitch. Explains there is a bit of grass but the ball will come onto the bat nicely. Adds that the pacers can trouble at the start if they hit the deck hard. Gavaskar says the trend to bowl first will continue but Sunil says that there is a possibility India can experiment by batting first as they cannot lose the series. Tells they are high on confidence and that can be a reason why they will be open to experiment.
Rain played spoilsport in the first T20I in Guwahati, India decimated Sri Lanka in Indore, will the Men in Blue seal the year's first series at Pune? The hosts look too good in all departments against their counterpart and are well on course to start the T20 World Cup year on a positive note. Sri Lanka have a nag of upsetting when the odds are stacked against them. Malinga will hope for a better showing from his troops and put out a big statement. Can the Lankan Lions roar back or will the Indian juggernaut steamroll the visitors?
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