IND vs SL 2nd T20I: India put up a valiant fight while attempting to reach the massive goal of 207, but in the conclusion, Sri Lanka succeeded by 16 runs to tie the 3-match series at 1-1. India elected to bowl first after winning the toss in order to prevent subsequent fielding mostly in wet. Axar Patel (65) and Suryakumar Yadav (51) fashioned a 91-run partnership off just 40 deliveries following a top-order failure. Axar and Shivam Mavi (26) collaborated to score 41 runs off 22 deliveries.
Nevertheless, despite their brave struggles, India fell short of victory. Prior to it, Sri Lanka showed the amazing attacking ability to score 206/6 in 20 overs. Kusal Mendis hit 52 off 31 deliveries, while Dasun Shanaka managed to make 56* off just 22 deliveries.
The Indian bowlers turned out to be expensive. In 2 overs, Arshdeep Singh delivered 5 no-balls and conceded 37 runs, whereas Umran Malik conceded 48 runs in 4 overs. Eventually, he claimed 3 wickets. 53 runs given up in 4 overs by Shivam Mavi.
IND vs SL 2nd T20I: Shanaka emerges as the Player of the match
IND vs SL 2nd T20I: Shanaka grabbed up the ball for his initial over, grabbed 2 victims, and assisted his team cross the finish line with India requiring 21 runs to triumph off the last over. India had a good solid opening. When bowling the opening over, Hardik Pandya only allowed 2 runs to be scored.
And from there, everything became worse. Mendis continued on the offensive as Sri Lanka scored 45 runs in the following 3 overs, sending the Indian side into meltdown. Mendis quickly reached 50 off 27 deliveries.
IND vs SL 2nd T20I: Arshdeep Singh’s series of no balls
To get things firmly on track, Hardik had to count on his spin bowlers. In addition to picking up victims, Axar and Yuzvendra Chahal limited the score while also controlling it. Just 54 runs total let up by the pair in their 8 collective overs.
Arshdeep had to be sluggish going into this T20I because he hadn’t featured in a competitive game until the final ODI versus New Zealand on November 30. Arshdeep’s first pitch, a half-volley on the cushions that was nipped through the square leg, came in the 2nd over after his introduction. After a considerable amount of time, the initial ball is played with no disturbance. The next 4 deliveries only managed to score a run. Then a series of bizarre no-balls started, with 3 occurring in a row in his initial over. The initial pitch was smashed off the leg, the second delivery brushed for a 4-run home run to deep backward square leg, and the 3rd scorched over the outfielder in a similar area.
IND vs SL 2nd T20I: Mendis and Nissanka’s massive 80 run partnership
It took until the 19th over before Arshdeep taken again, and even then the terror no-balls persisted. He delivered 2 additional overs, 1 of which Shanaka lofted at long-on, for a total of 37 runs in 2 overs. His 5 no-balls drastically altered the course of the contest.
When the Sri Lankan skipper Shanaka entered the field. His team’s score had stalled at 110 for 4 after 14 overs. Shanaka then witnessed Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka lose to Umran Malik after subsequent deliveries. And Shanaka confronted with the hat-trick ball. Shanaka pumped one directly over the bowler’s helmet. He became unstoppable after that.
Indian top order was demolished during the powerplay
As they scored 93 runs in the final 6 overs, he reached 50 in just 20 deliveries. The quickest by a Sri Lankan in men’s Twenty20s. Eventually, as the chase became difficult. Shanaka decided to bowl the penultimate over and grabbed 2 wickets while conceding four runs.
The way Sri Lanka end their session may have afforded India’s top-order faith that the Pune field loaded with boundaries. They were about to have a bad surprise. The batsmen were in serious danger thanks to the ferocious bowling of the Sri Lankan pace bowlers. The Indian side were down to 39 for 4 by the conclusion of the powerplay, with each of Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, and Chamika Karunaratne scoring.
Axar and Suryakumar’s brave efforts couldn’t give India a victory
After 10 overs, India was at 64 for 5 and still struggling. A significant loss appeared inescapable with a huge score to pursue. Then a run-out opportunity presented itself, with Axar and Suryakumar nearly at the opposing end. Sri Lanka’s error flipped a trigger.
Axar and Suryakumar simultaneously launched their attacks like men in command. Sri Lankan bowler left unpunished, and the necessary speed was frequently close to 15. Suryakumar needed 33 deliveries and 20 deliveries for Axar to get his 50. But ultimately the goal proved to be a mountain too high to climb.
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