India vs Srilanka 2nd T20I: Srilanka defeat India by 16 runs in the 2nd T20I

India vs Srilanka 2nd T20I: Srilanka defeat India by 16 runs in the 2nd T20I and level the 3 match series 1-1. Dasun Shanaka’s fireworks with the bat in the final 4 overs and his final over with the ball helped Srilanka register an historic win at Pune.

India won the toss and elected to bowl 1st in the 2nd T20I. Srilankan openers Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka were off to great start smashing Indian bowlers to all corners of the ground. Srilanka were on course for a huge total. Kusal Mendis notched up his 11th fifty in T20 internationals. Yuzvendra Chahal provided the much needed break through for Indian team by dismissing Kusal Mendis (LBW) for 52 runs.

Umran Malik Triple Strikes

Umran Malik once again troubled the Srilankan batsman with his raw pace. Malik shattered Bhanuka Rajapaksa’ stumps. In the 16th over of the game Umran Malik struck twice in two balls dismissing Charith Aslanka and Waninudu Hasranga. The pacer has been one of the best fast bowlers that India has seen. He promises to break the record of Shoiab Akhtar’s fastest ball ever bolwed record. Malik is also the 1st bolwer to bow at 155 KMPH.

Dasun Shanaka’s Late Fireworks power Srilanka to 206

Srilankan skipper Dasun Shanaka once again rescues his team. Shanka smashed Indian bowlers in the last 4 overs. He scored 56 runs in 22 balls, smashing 6 sixes and 2 fours striking at 254.55. Shanka smashed 21 runs in Umran Mailk’s 18th over, 20 runs in Shivam Mavi’s final over. Lankan’s managed to score 59 runs in the last 3 overs. Arshdeep Singh bowled 5 no balls in the Srilankan innings helping them t reach to the total of 206.

Axar Patel and Suryakumar Yadav Valiant fifties couldn’t take India home

India chasing a target of 207 were pegged back early by the Srilanka pacers. Kasun Rajitha in his 1st over picked up 2 wickets dismissing Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill on the 1st and last ball of the over. Rahul Tripathi making his debut on his home ground failed to perform as expected. He was dimissed by Madhushanka as he edges one to Kusal Mendis. Hardik Pandya hit a six and a four before he perished in the bowling of Chamika Karunaratne for 12 runs. Hooda the savior in the 1st game failed to score in the 2nd game as he tries to hoick one in Hasaranga’s bowling holding out to Dhanjaya De Silva.

Axar Patel and Suryakumar Yadav had a huge task on hand with the score at 85-5 at the end of 12 over. Axar took the attack to Theekshana in the 13th over smashing a four over point and a six straight down the ground. In the next over Axar Smashed 3 back to back sixes, one over square leg another over midwcket and one straight down the ground. Suryakumar Yadav got into the act by stepping down the track and smashing the six over extra covers. India had the momentum and were racing towards the target.

Madhushanka struck for the Srilanka at the right time by dismissing Suryakumar Yadav after being pegged for a six of the first ball. Suryakumar Yadav end his innings with a valiant 51 runs in 36 balls. Axar Patel and Shivam Mavi kept attacking the bowlers. Axar Patel in the meantime bought up his fifty in 22 balls. He becomes the first player to score a fifty batting at #7 or below. surpassing Ravindra Jadeja’ s 44* off 23 balls.

India needing 21 off the final over, Shanaka decides to bowl the over. He gets rid off Axar Patel and Shivam Mavi as Srilanka win the game comfortably by 16 runs despite a late scare by Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Mavi. The series is leveled at 1-1 and the decider will be played at Rajkot on Saturday (Jan 07).

India vs Srilanka 2nd T20I Post Match Interview

India Captain Hardik Pandya: Both bowling and batting – powerplay hurt us. We made basic errors which we shouldn’t do at this level. Learning should be the basics we can control. You can have a bad day but shouldn’t be going away from basics. In this situation it’s very difficult. In past as well he’s bowled no-balls. It’s not about blaming but no ball is a crime. Surya had a fantastic run at four. Anyone who comes into the team – you want to give them a role they are comfortable in (talking about Rahul at three).

Srilanka Captain Dasun Shanaka: I think so (a captain’s performance?). We could’ve done well in the middle part. Game was set by the openers. Need to play well in the middle order to allow finishers to finish well. It’s not the dew factor, it’s the skill of Indian batters. They took the game away from us but still we managed to hold the nerve. Really good to defend the total especially against India in these conditions.

India vs Srilanka 2nd T20I Player of the Match : Dasun Shanaka

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