Yashasvi Jaiswal’s smashing (30 off 15) and Hardik Pandya’s electrifying (22 off 9) helped India win the second T20I by seven wickets using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the three-match series against Sri Lanka at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Chasing a revised goal of 78 runs in 8 overs, India crossed the line with nine balls remaining, clinching a comfortable win.
India won the toss and opted to bowl first, allowing Sri Lanka to dominate the opening half of their innings, accumulating 80 runs for the loss of only two wickets.
However, the Indian bowlers made a great recovery, restricting the hosts to 161/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Kusal Perera top-scored for Sri Lanka with a brisk 53 off 34 balls.
Ravi Bishnoi emerged as India’s best bowler, claiming three wickets for 26 runs. Axar Patel, who bowled the final over, finished with 2-30, while Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya each took two wickets, demonstrating a balanced bowling performance.
The game took a dramatic turn when rain stopped India’s pursuit after only three balls. When play restarted, India faced a revised target of 78 runs from 8 overs.
Dasun Shanaka of Sri Lanka opened the bowling for the abbreviated game, allowing 10 runs in his first over. Maheesh Theekshana made an early breakthrough by dismissing Sanju Samson, who replaced an injured Shubman Gill, for a golden duck. However, captain Suryakumar Yadav swiftly gained control, attacking Theekshana and hitting three boundaries in his second over.
Suryakumar hit a quick 26 from 12 balls, laying the groundwork for the chase. Yashasvi Jaiswal provided solid support with 30 off 15 deliveries before being removed. Hardik Pandya then stepped in to finish the job, scoring the winning runs for India. Despite Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, and Wanindu Hasaranga taking one wicket each, it was unable to prevent India from winning.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka 161/9 in 20 overs (Kusal Perera 53, Pathum Nissanka 32; Ravi Bishnoi 3-26, Hardik Pandya 2-23, Arshdeep Singh 2-24, Axar Patel 2-30) lost to India 81/3 in 6.3 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 30, Suryakumar Yadav 26, Hardik Pandya 22 not out; Maheesh Theekshana 1-16) by seven wickets (DLS method).
