India resumed their flawless record in the shortest form with a 62-run victory against Sri Lanka in the opening T20I on February 24 at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium. Team India has won 10 consecutive T20Is, notably back-to-back series victory against New Zealand and also the West Indies.
After a batting brilliant display from team captain Rohit Sharma, alongside his partner Ishan Kishan, and middle-order excitement Shreyas Iyer in the 1st innings, the Indian bowling attack offered major breakthroughs at frequent intervals in the 2nd as the Sri Lankans missed the track in their 200-run hunt and were unable to restore once wickets began to fall.
Ishan Kishan alongside Rohit Sharma established a solid start for India after just being called in to bat Lankan team captain Dasun Shanaka. The combination scored 111 runs for the opening partnership until the Hitman was dismissed in the 12th over, hitting 44 off 32. The lefty picked up the Sri Lankan bowling attack frequently, hitting a brilliant half-century off only 30 deliveries.
Kishan has been dismissed then after smashing 89 ff 59, missing out on his first tonne by only 11 runs. Shreyas Iyer’s 57 off 28 deliveries at the close of the innings drove India to 199/2 in 20 overs.
On the other side, the visitors really got things going after losing in-form starter Pathum Nissanka for just a golden duck, as the Indian counterparts kept hitting with precision bowling. After 97/6, it appeared to be everywhere for them, but middle-order batsman Charith Asalanka decided to carry on with a magnificent performance and stood undefeated on 53 off 47.
Unfortunately, he remained Sri Lanka’s sole fighter, and with a little backup from the other extreme, the 2014 T20 world champions were finally confined to 137/6 in 20 overs.
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