Sri Lanka spin a web around Inexperienced India | India vs Sri Lanka T20i Series Review

 

After a triumphant series win in the ODI series, the men in blue wished to repeat the results in the 3-match T20i series as well. However, after the 1st T20, calamity struck the Indian dressing room when Krunal Pandya was tested positive for covid and as a result, everyone who came in contact to him had to isolate themselves. This meant another string of changes and debuts in the Indian playing XI, which really hampered the team’s overall performance in the following games. Want to know how it all went down? Read the full article to know just how.

1st T20i: Sri Lanka succumb to India’s swing bowlers

After losing Prithvi Shaw on the very first ball, Skipper Dhawan (46) made decent 50+ partnerships with Sanju Samson (27) and then Suryakumar Yadav. The latter of which went on to score a magnificent half century as he continued to ride the momentum of his form with a string of quality performances. Being 127-4 after 15.2 overs and two new batsmen in Kishan (20*) and Hardik (10) in the middle, India looked comfortable, but some sharp bowling at the death from Udana and Chameera helped Sri Lanka contain India to a respectable total of 163-5. On the other hand, Fernando (26) and Bhanuka (10) failed to give Sri Lanka the ideal start as Sri Lanka was reduced to 50-3 after the dismissal of Dhananjaya de Silva (9). Charith Asalanka (44) was the only bright spot for Sri Lanka as the rest of the batting lineup apart from Shanaka (16) couldn't even post double digit figures with the bat. Some superb bowling from vice captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3.3-0-22-4) and Deepak Chahar (3-0-24-2) helped India run through the Sri Lankan tailenders and have a defining 38-run victory. 

Man of the Match: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3.3-0-22-4)

2nd T20i: Sri Lanka steal the win in last over thriller

With around 7 changes to their starting XI, India was back in the field notwithstanding the fact that their key players were isolating themselves. Batting first, India had a decent start to their innings with Shikhar (40) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (21) putting up a 49-run stand. Debutant Padikkal's cameo of 29 was handy as well as India was looking feasibly good at 99-3 in 15 overs despite playing only 5 proper batsmen. Sanju Samson (7 off 13) and Nitish Rana (9 off 12) failed to capitalize on the momentum as India could only put up a total of 132-5 in their quota of 20 overs as the rest could barely scratch the surface with the bat. Minod Bhanuka (36) stood by from one end and played his natural aggressive gameplay despite Fernando (11), Samawickrama (3) and Shanaka (8) failed to make an impact. Despite strugging at 66-4 after 12 overs, Sri Lanka's Dhananjaya de Silva took it upon himself to guide his team home with the win. Playing an instrumental knock of 40* with the assist of a quick fire cameo from Karunaratne (12* off 6) towards the later stages of the game helped the hosts seal the deal and level the series 1-1. 

Man of the Match: Dhananjaya de Silva (40* off 34 balls)

3rd T20i: Indian innings collapses ahead of Hasaranga's magical spell

With the hopes of continuing their tradition of not losing a series in Sri Lanka, Indian skipper Shikhar Dhawan decided to bat first and what awaited was one of the most bitter bitter batting tragedies in recent memory. Chameera's dismissal of Dhawan on his very first ball was the first sign of what was ahead. Sri Lanka's relentless spin attack comprising Hasaranga and Mendis completely exposed the inexperienced Indian batsmen as Padikkal (9), Gaikwad (14), Samson (0) and Rana (6) could hardly make a difference. Being reduced for 36-5 and having no proper batsman left, millions of Indians had already turned off their television sets courtesy of some sublime spin bowling. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (16) and Kuldeep Yadav's (23*) efforts with the bat were inspired but none could really set the stage on fire as India's innings was halted at 81-8 in their 20 overs, registering their third lowest total in T20i cricket history. Birthday boy Wanindu Hasaranga grabbed all the limelight with figures of 4-0-9-4, while skipper Shanaka grabbed a brace as well. Upon reducing their opposition for such a mediocre total, chasing it wasn't really the toughest job in the world for the Sri Lankans. They chased the target with ease in just 14.3 overs with 7 wickets in hand as Dhananjaya de Silva emerged as the highest scorer with 23*. Rahul Chahar was the only diamond in the rough for India, picking 3-15 in his quota of 4 overs but it wasn't enough from stopping Sri Lanka from winning the series 2-1. 

Man of the Match: Wanindu Hasaranga (4-0-9-4)

Player of the Series: Wanindu Hasaranga - Sri Lanka.

Conclusion: While it was a heartbreaking defeat for the Indians, the men in blue wouldn't really be particularly bothered about it given that almost all their key players were unavailable for the last two deciding matches. However some of the performances did highlight that players in the likes of Sanju Samson, Nitish Rana, etc still have a lot of work to do before re-entering the International stage as India's quest to find their perfect squad for the world cup may have a fewer contendors now. For Sri Lanka, it was finally a huge sigh of relief given that they ended their string of loses with a defining series win against one of the top t20 sides in the world. They delivered whenever the situation asked for it and when the dust settled, the Lions emerged as the better team and righteously so, they were the winners of the series. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, the winners of the Unacademy T20i series: Sri Lanka