Dasun Shanaka showed why he was so dangerous with the bat in hand with his quickfire half-century and a calm last over helped Sri Lanka stay alive in the series. India's fast bowlers had a poor day with Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Mavi erring in bowling no-balls, which gave Sri Lanka the impetus to finish on a high. Shanaka scored the fastest fifty by a Sri Lankan in T20Is and put a formidable total in front of India. The hosts then lost a flurry of wickets in the first few overs and were reduced to 57/5 at one stage. A 91-run partnership off 40 balls between Suryakumar Yadav and Axar Patel kept India in the contest but it ended after the right-hander perished in an attempt to go big. Shivam Mavi played some big shots and entertained the crowd but eventually, Sri Lanka were the deserved winners.
And Sri Lanka have won this contest! What a win this is and it surely has to be one of their most memorable victories! Their skipper, Dasun Shanaka, starred with a superb last over where he conceded just four runs to help his side come out victors by 16 runs. Sri Lanka have levelled the series in style and it all now heads to the decider on January 7. For a brief while, it looked as if India have comeback into the contest with the excellent partnership between Suryakumar Yadav and Axar Patel but after the former was out, it was down to the left-hander. Shivam Mavi did ignite India's hopes but it was too much for India to get.
OUT! Axar Patel is dismissed and Dasun Shanaka can do no wrong! The left-hander opted for a big shot and Chamika Karunaratne ended up taking a good catch near the boundary. Axar Patel c Chamika Karunaratne b Dasun Shanaka 65(31)
What a game this has turned out to be! Shivam Mavi ignited India's hopes once again after all seemed lost and the hosts now need 21 runs off the last over. Can they pull it off?
What a game this has turned out to be! Shivam Mavi ignited India's hopes once again after all seemed lost and the hosts now need 21 runs off the last over. Can they pull it off?
Shivam Mavi is keeping India alive somehow in this contest with a few delightful shots. This contest is not finished and this game is as entertaining as a match could get! India need 33 runs off 12 balls now!
OUT! India have lost Suryakumar Yadav at a time when they would have wanted to have him carrying on in the way he has. Trying to hit a big shot, the bat turns in his hand and Wanindu Hasaranga takes a good catch. India have been dealt a body blow here. Suryakumar Yadav c Wanindu Hasaranga b Dilshan Madushanka 51(36)
FIFTY for Suryakumar Yadav! The right-hander saw the carnage by Axar Patel at the other end and that has rubbed off on him, as he continues his good form for a well-made fifty. These two have kept India in the hunt in this match and Sri Lanka are under pressure now.
FIFTY for Axar Patel! The left-hander has played a fine knock here and he has got to his half-century off just 20 deliveries! Both him and Suryakumar Yadav have given India a glimmer of hope!
The Suryakumar Yadav and Axar Patel duo is turning it on for India here. Axar is smoking some huge sixes off Wanindu Hasaranga's bowling. SKY finishes off the over with a fourth six after Axar cleared the field three times. Both of them have picked apart Hasaranga and the Indian fans are feeling that their side is still in the contest.
With an aim to win the series, India will head into the second T20I against Sri Lanka on Thursday, January 5. The young side led by Hardik Pandya showed nerves of steel as they managed to hold on for a slender two-run win in the 1st T20I. They did make some mistakes but the grit shown by this young outfit was inspiring and surely, the hosts have the belief as well as the momentum of going on to win the second contest too and claim the series. Debutant Shivam Mavi was one of the architects of the win at the Wankhede Stadium with his figures of 4/22. Sri Lanka, despite being asked to chase down 163 on a pitch that favoured the batters, failed to cross the line. India vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I 2023 Live Streaming Online on Disney+ Hotstar: Get Free Live Telecast of IND vs SL Cricket Match on TV With Time in IST.
India have been handed a setback in form of Sanju Samson, who was been ruled out with an injury and Jitesh Sharma has been named his replacement. The Punjab Kings wicketkeeper batter might not find a place in the playing XI and it would be interesting to see how India line-up for this contest. Sri Lanka too can make some changes, especially by strengthening their bowling unit, which was taken apart by a brilliant partnership between Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel, that helped India finish their innings off on a high. Sanju Samson Ruled Out From IND vs SL T20I Series, BCCI Names Jitesh Sharma As Replacement.
Squads:
India: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (VC), Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Jitesh Sharma, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Mukesh Kumar.
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga (Vice Captain), Ashen Bandara, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara