3rd T20I, Dharamsala, February 27, 2022, 07:00 PM
Sri Lanka
146/5(20.0ov)
India
148/4(16.5ov)
India beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets
Right then! That is all we have from this match and also from the T20I series. Up next is the two-match Test series against these two sides. The first Test match will start on the 4th of March in Mohali. Live action will begin at 9.30 am IST (4 am GMT) but our coverage will begin much sooner. Do join us then. Take care and goodbye!
Done and dusted with the presentation ceremony and it's now time for the series-winning skipper, Rohit Sharma to lift the trophy. The Indian team is seen rejoicing and posing for a team photo.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma says that they played collectively as a team and played well and he is happy about that. He adds that they always look to test the bench strength whenever there's an opportunity. Mentions that he knows that at times they have held themselves back when it comes to T20I cricket but they just need to back their players and don't worry about their position in the team and they are just looking to fill the gaps that they have. Also mentions that it's always nice to have more and more players in form and they want to move from strength to strength. Ends by saying that they will start thinking about the Test matches once they reach Mohali.
Shreyas Iyer wins the Man of the Match award for this game. He is also adjudged as the Man of the Series for his exceptional effort with the blade in all three matches. He is in for a chat. He says, all the three innings were special for him but he would say the knock of the second game holds a special place in his heart. Mentions, when you hit the balls really well, it just comes down to enjoying the time in the middle. Adds, he wanted to dominate from the start but he backed his instincts and stayed positive throughout. Says, the comeback is pretty hard to be honest and the real test comes during the rehabilitation stage. Ends by saying he is glad to perform so well for the country.
Dasun Shanaka, the skipper of Sri Lanka, is in for a chat. He starts by congratulating the Indian side for an incredible performance. Hopes his injury is nothing serious. Mentions, without some senior players we struggled to adapt to the conditions. Adds the pace attack was brilliant throughout but says it is more about the control of the game. Says, the side needs to adapt to the conditions quickly in the future series.
The Presentation Ceremony...
Ravindra Jadeja is down for a chat. He says it is not new to not bowl during the innings, he has done the same in the Indian T20 League. Mentions, Sharma wanted to give the young spinners some opportunity and hence he did not bowl. Avesh Khan joins the chat and says all he aimed was to keep good lines and lengths. He hopes he can deliver at the same level consistently.
The visitors finished with a flourish with the bat but never had enough runs on the board. Dushmantha Chameera did give them a good start but the pacers didn't really make great use of the new ball, unlike their counterparts. Once Iyer and Samson got going, the game slipped away from Sri Lanka. A couple of injuries dented their chances further and the skipper didn't even take the field once he went off. Lahiru Kumara did come back and picked up a couple of quick wickets but by that time the game had already been lost. In the end, the visitors were outmuscled and they have a lot to ponder upon after another series loss.
With over 180 being chased last night without breaking a sweat, chasing a score of under 150 seemed way too easy for India given the form their batters have been in of late. The skipper though perished early tonight and looked just a bit fidgety. Shreyas Iyer though was just sublime yet again. He was well supported early on by Sanju Samson but a few wickets did fall at regular intervals. Iyer held the fort and together with Jadeja saw the team home over the line yet again. Iyer ended up with 73 not out and also remained unbeaten throughout the series. What a special series for him!
Done and dusted! India have made it 12 wins in a row in T20I matches and have equalled Afghanistan's record. The hosts also whitewash Sri Lanka to make it three whitewashes in a row and will remain as the number 1 ranked T20I side in the world. The visitors, on the other hand, will be very disappointed with their effort tonight.
In over# 17
4
1
1
1
4
1wd
Lahiru Kumara 39/2(3.5)
16.5
4
FOUR! Beautiful shot. Shreyas Iyer scores the finishing runs. Full length, on the pads. Shreyas Iyer stays back and flicks it through square leg for find a boundary. INDIA WIN THE GAME BY 6 WICKETS.
16.4
1
Fuller, on leg. Ravindra Jadeja flicks it through square on the leg side for another single. Just 3 runs needed now.
16.3
1
Full length, on off. Iyer drills it down the ground to long on for a single.
16.2
1
Full length, on off. Ravindra Jadeja eases it down the ground to mid on for a single.
16.1
4
FOUR! Ravindra Jadeja is in a hurry to end things here. A short ball, angling down leg. Ravindra Jadeja stays back and pulls it through square leg for a cracking boundary.
16.1
1wd
WIDE! A length ball, wide outside off. Ravindra Jadeja leaves it alone. Wided.
In over# 16
1
1
4
2
1
4
Binura Fernando 35/0(4)
15.6
1
Length ball, on the pads. Ravindra Jadeja flicks it to square leg for one.
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