India triumphed over Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second T20I of the IND vs SL series, with a DLS-adjusted target of 78. Chasing 161 for 9 set by Sri Lanka, India reached 81 for 3, thanks to notable performances from Yashasvi Jaiswal (30), Suryakumar Yadav (26), and a tight bowling effort from Ravi Bishnoi (3-26) and others.
In the first game of the IND vs SL series, Sri Lanka had showcased their batting prowess with Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama leading them to the Women’s Asia Cup title. However, in Pallakele, India’s spinners, including Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel, and Riyan Parag, dominated the second men’s T20I. They combined for impressive figures of 12-0-86-5, causing another collapse for Sri Lanka and securing the series for India with one match still to play.
In both of the first two T20Is, Sri Lanka faltered in the final overs, losing 16 for 68 in the last six overs. The pitch offered significant assistance to spinners, allowing part-time spinner Parag to complete his full quota of overs and Axar Patel to bowl the final over of the first innings, restricting Sri Lanka to 161 for 9.
Sri Lanka’s strategy to defend their total involved unleashing their three spinners, bolstered by the inclusion of Ramesh Mendis for the injured Dilshan Madushanka. However, rain interrupted play and the revised target made it challenging. Despite Maheesh Theekshana’s early breakthrough against Sanju Samson and a subsequent tight spell, Wanindu Hasaranga struggled with the wet ball. Suryakumar Yadav took advantage, hitting Theekshana for three consecutive fours to push India towards victory.
Matheesha Pathirana dismissed Suryakumar for 26 off 12 balls, and Yashasvi Jaiswal was out for 30 off 15 balls, but Hardik Pandya’s quick innings ensured a series win for India. Sri Lanka initially started strong, scoring 54 for 1 in the powerplay, with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis taking advantage of the conditions. Despite this, Kusal Perera’s aggressive 53 was not enough, and his half-century was aided by a slip from Rinku Singh, who later redeemed himself with a sharp catch.
India’s bowlers, including Axar Patel and Parag, contributed significantly. Although Parag went wicketless, his performance was solid, and Axar Patel’s final over was economical. Bishnoi’s late strikes and Hardik Pandya’s crucial dismissal of Perera helped restrict Sri Lanka to 161 for 9.
The rain delay and revised target of 78 in eight overs posed a challenge, but India managed to chase it down with nine balls to spare. Hasaranga’s figures of 2-0-34-1 reflected the difficulty faced by Sri Lanka’s bowlers under the revised conditions.