Dasun Shanaka loves to play against India and showed just why as he led Sri Lanka to a series-leveling win by 16 runs at the Maharashtra Cricket Stadium on Thursday, January 5. The Sri Lankan captain starred with a blistering half-century and later, marshalled his troops to perfection to take them to a famous victory. India skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and put Sri Lanka to bat, a decision that raised a few eyebrows and the visitors had an electric start, which was triggered by Arshdeep Singh bowling three no-balls in the second over. The free hits got the Lankan openers going, especially Kusal Mendis, who played an array of shots to help his side get a good score in the powerplay. The Sri Lankan opening stand yielded 80 runs off 54 deliveries. India vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I 2023 Highlights.

Indian spinners fought back with quick wickets and the middle order once again failed to perform. But Shanaka was not in the mood to give up as he played some good, low-risk shots to keep the runs flowing for his side and at a healthy rate. With a half-century off 20 deliveries, he became the fastest Sri Lankan to hit a fifty in T20Is and ended up with 56 runs off 22 balls, with two fours and six sixes. What’s even more jaw-dropping was his strike rate, which was a whopping 254.55. Having to chase 207 to win, India need a good start and they got one by scoring 12 runs off the first over. But Kasun Rajitha’s twin strikes in the second over saw the back of both openers-Shubman Gill (5) and Ishan Kishan (2) and India were dealt with early blows. Debutant Rahul Tripathi batted at three but lasted for only five balls and the wickets of skipper Hardik Pandya (12) along with Deepak Hooda (9) left the hosts reeling at 57/5. Axar Patel Registers Highest Score by an Indian Batsman at Number 7 or Below in T20Is, Achieves Feat While Scoring Half-Century in IND vs SL 2nd T20I.

But then came a record partnership between Suryakumar Yadav (51) and Axar Patel (65) which seemingly brought India back. The duo put 91 runs off just 40 deliveries and were clearing the fence regularly, something that gave Sri Lanka a lot to worry about. But Suryakumar Yadav’s dismissal in the 16th over once again pegged India back and despite Axar Patel’s late hitting, it was 16 runs too many. Shivam Mavi showed he was no mug with the bat with 26 runs off just 15 balls but Sri Lanka were deserved winners on the night.

IND vs SL 2nd T20I 2023 Stat Highlights: 

#Dasun Shanaka scored the fastest fifty by a Sri Lankan in T20Is.

#Axar Patel struck his maiden T20I fifty

#India bowled most no-balls in a T20I innings -7

#Axar Patel has the highest score in T20I for India by batting at number 7 (65).

#His 91-run partnership with Suryakumar Yadav is the highest stand for the sixth-wicket or lower for India in T20Is

#Suryakumar Yadav hit his 13th fifty in T20Is.

With both teams having won one game each, the series now heads to the third and final T20I which will be played in Rajkot on January 7. Sri Lanka have momentum after this power-packed performance but India will once again back their young stars to pull off a win.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 05, 2023 11:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).