Sri Lanka has leveled the series and advanced to the final after defeating India in the 2nd T20I. In Colombo, everything went to overtime on the lower and slow pitch, resulting in a low-scoring episode. However, Sri Lanka had a composed and controlled Dhananjaya de Silva in the middle, who outplayed the visitors’ young bowlers to guide his team to victory. let’s look at IND vs Sl 2nd T20I Winner.
IND vs Sl 2nd T20I Winner
Meanwhile, India’s new beginning duo of Shikhar Dhawan and Ruturaj Gaikwad started off slow begin. Both batters appeared at ease while facing the new ball, however, Sri Lanka quickly took control of the pitch and slowed it down.
The spinners were added to the offensive, and the wicket began to turn, catching the batters at the edge. In an attempt to increase the temperature, Gaikwad reached out to the opposing captain, Dasun Shanaka.
With the slower pitch and swing, as well as the bounce, Team India was unable to score quickly
With few batters to support, Devdutt Padikkal appeared cool and controlled in his debut match, whereas Dhawan performed more of an outlet role. In the most portion, the Indian captain rotated the attack, and by the conclusion of the 12th over, India were playing comfortably on 81/1.
Dhawan was on track for a huge score, but his powerful attempt against Akila Dananjaya got out of hand, and he was out for 40 off 42 balls. India was never able to increase the intensity in the innings after that. Through their rotations, Sri Lanka’s spinners squeezed the opposing batters. Because of the slower pitch and swing, as well as the bounce, India were unable to score quickly.
The visitors could only manage 132 runs for the loss of 5 wickets, and that was helped to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, India’s number 6, who played a few strokes in his clean 13-run comeback. Sri Lanka fielded 8 bowlers, 4 of them were spinners, and they all performed an excellent job for the squad.
The bowlers were brought into the early rush in the session, as predicted, and the scores were quickly swept aside. Sadeera Samarawickrama as well as Shanaka, Sri Lanka’s captain, didn’t score often but hunted up a lot of balls. With the score at 55/3, it appeared as if opener Minod Bhanuka would lead the side to safety. The left-hander was also lowered, but he quickly found himself lost in the middle.
Dhananjaya de Silva and Wanindu Hasaranga came together to form a brilliant combination
Despite this, he put forth a strong performance throughout his 31-ball 36. The situation looked bad for Sri Lanka while they were down at 66/4 in the 12th over, and that’s when Dhananjaya de Silva and Wanindu Hasaranga came together to form a brilliant combination. The hosts were nearly back in the game after a 28-run hold, but Rahul Chahar interrupted it by discarding as the game went close.
De Silva has been crucial for Sri Lanka heading into the last 3-overs, as India put their confidence in the youth and debutant Chetan Sakariya with 28 runs required. Sakariya showed off his superb variations despite remaining calm and took the wicket of Ramesh Mendis for only 8 runs, reducing the scenario to 20 runs in 2 overs.
Sri Lanka scored 12 runs in the 19th over, including Chamika Karunaratne hitting the crucial six. They needed 8 runs in the last over, and Sakariya was given the ball to protect. The hosts, on the other hand, had a set batter in De Silva, who batted brilliantly and, more importantly, held his calm to lead his team to a nail-biting conclusion.
Twitter Reactions:
Despite the loss, we can still be proud of the fighting spirit Indian team showed today. They almost defended a small target. #SLvsIND
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) July 28, 2021
Congratulations SL. Deserved to win. Great effort from India to give a tough fight after making so many changes in their XI. Tight game. All to play for tomorrow #SLvIND
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) July 28, 2021
Well Tried, India. Plenty of lessons for tomorrow. Better execution.
Well won Sri Lanka. Backed their better bowling, Out bowled India and de Silva closed it well.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) July 28, 2021
Almost pulled off a victory with these many players missing. Indian cricket’s depth is at an all-time high. #INDvSL
— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) July 28, 2021
Well fought, #TeamIndia 🥺💙
Not much in our control before the game, but kudos to our bowlers to have made a match out of this 🤜🤛
We’ll be back tomorrow as 🇮🇳 try to take the series win 🙌#SLvIND
— Delhi Capitals (Stay Home. Wear Double Masks😷) (@DelhiCapitals) July 28, 2021
Absolute relief for Sri Lanka! It was the sheer brilliance of Dananjaya, Hasaranga and that man Chamika Karunaratne that got them over the line. Congratulations to them.
— Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket) July 28, 2021
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