The second T20 cricket match between India and Sri Lanka ended with the Lankans securing a 16-run win. The valiant efforts of Suryakumar Yadav and Axar Patel were not enough to get India past the massive score of 206.
The Indian bowling attack seemed undisciplined, bowling seven no balls. The match started in Sri Lanka’s favor as both openers showed aggression. However, it was Kusal Mendis who went after every ball, scoring a half-century that put the team at 80 runs in 8 overs.
Chahal managed to get Mendis off the field as the player was caught by LBW. Next, Umran Malik bowled a ripper that got Bhanuka Rajapaksa out on the first ball. Dhananjay and Nissanka tried to regroup the team, as they now stood at 110 for 4 wickets in 13 overs.
While the duo took on the Indian bowling attack, it was Dasun Shanaka who broke through everything. The player ended up scoring Sri Lanka’s quickest half-century in merely 20 balls. As the Indian bowlers showed minimal discipline, Sri Lanka put up a massive score of 206 runs.
On the other hand, the strong Indian batting lineup also failed to provide a good start. Ishan Kishan was bowled in the second over, and Shubhman Gill quickly followed the wicketkeeper. The debutant Rahul Tripathi showed some promise but went to the pavilion shortly. This was disappointing as many users betting on cricket expected Tripathi to replicate the IPL performance.
After captain Pandya was caught behind the stump, all hopes seemed lost for India. However, the late-game heroics of Axar and Suryakumar kept the tension alive. Both players scored half-centuries, while the all-rounder managed to do so in only 20 balls.
India needed 21 runs from the last over, which seemed doable with Axar still playing. However, the player got caught while trying to hit a full toss. In the end, India fell 16 runs short, which could have been achieved, if not for a shaky start and underwhelming bowling performance.
