1st T20I
New captain Surya Kumar Yadav has lead India to a 1-0 advantage
India scored 213/7 in 20 overs, where as Sri Lanka scored 170 all out in 19.2 overs.
So, finally India beat Sri Lanka by 43 runs.
It was a triumphant start for India’s new captain-coach duo in Pallekele, with Suryakumar leading from the front with a blistering 22-ball fifty in India’s 43-run victory in the first T20I.
Despite posting 213 runs, the Indian bowlers faced a tough challenge, especially with Pathum Nissanka at the crease.
However, a dramatic collapse saw Sri Lanka lose 9 wickets for just 30 runs, handing the visitors a comfortable win.
Riyan Parag, India’s sixth bowler of the night, needed only 8 deliveries to claim 3 wickets for 5 runs.
What made the difference?
India’s relentless attacking batting after being put in to bat set them apart.
Openers Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal batted with a strike rate of 200, providing the perfect start.
Once they were dismissed, Surya Kumar took charge, ensuring India capitalized on the middle overs, which mitigated Matheesha Pathirana’s late four-wicket burst.
Additionally, Sri Lanka’s fielding lapses, both in catching and ground fielding, allowed India to ease the pressure whenever it mounted.
INDIA
Power Play: A fast start for India
Phase score: 74/1 [13x4s, 3x6s]
India began this new cycle with Jaiswal and Gill, both of whom didn’t feature in the previous World Cup.
Their solid opening partnership of 74 runs in the first six overs was India’s highest Power Play score of the year and the highest ever against Sri Lanka.
Jaiswal’s boundary off the first ball set the tone, and both openers played aggressively, matching each other shot for shot.
Middle overs: The Surya Kumar show
Phase score: 85/1 [9x4s, 2x6s]
Surya Kumar’s innings as full-time T20I captain set the template for his team.
His 22-ball fifty, featuring 8 fours and 2 sixes, kept India’s momentum high even after Jaiswal’s dismissal.
Wanindu Hasaranga was the standout bowler during this phase, conceding only 28 runs in his four overs.
Death overs: India past 200 despite Pathirana’s yorkers
Phase score: 54/4 [7x4s, 2x6s]
India aimed for a strong finish, but Pathirana’s exceptional yorkers, including a 151 km/hr delivery that bowled Hardik Pandya, slowed their run rate.
Despite losing wickets, India managed to post 213, with Axar Patel hitting a six off the final ball.
SRI LANKA
Power Play: Sri Lanka off to a flier
Phase score: 55/0 [7x4s, 2x6s]
Sri Lanka’s openers ensured a solid start without losing any wickets.
Nissanka was particularly aggressive, hitting back-to-back boundaries and two sixes off Mohammed Siraj.
However, Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi couldn’t replicate Hasaranga’s effectiveness from earlier in the match.
Middle overs: Nissanka too good for India
Phase score: 94/3 [10x4s, 3x6s]
Sri Lanka dominated the middle overs, with Nissanka and Kusal Mendis forming a formidable partnership.
Despite losing three wickets, including Nissanka to Axar Patel, Sri Lanka remained in control with a score of 140/1 after 14 overs.
Death overs: Sri Lanka implode
Phase score: 21/7 [3x4s, 0x6s]
Sri Lanka’s innings fell apart from 140/1 to 170 all out, losing 9 wickets for 30 runs.
Key dismissals, including Asalanka bowled by a Bishnoi googly and Shanaka run out without facing a ball, triggered the collapse.
Parag’s 3 for 5 ensured Sri Lanka were bowled out with four balls to spare, sealing India’s victory.
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