Pallekele : India defeated Sri Lanka by 43 runs at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele in 1st T20I, taking 1-0 lead in 3 Match series.
Chasing 214 runs, Sri Lanka went off to a flying start with help of Pathum Nissanka (79) & Kushal Mendis (45), notching 84 runs partnership in 8 overs.
Despite Arshdeep Singh (2/24) taking Kushal’s wicket in the same over, Nissanka continued to smash Indian bowlers.
However, match began to turn in India’s favour from 14th over, when Axar Patel (2/38) got Nissanka’s on 140 runs.
The rest 8 wickets surprisingly fell in next 30 Balls for just 30 runs & Sri Lanka could only manage 170 (19.2). Riyan Parag (3/5) was stand out bowler for India, instrumental for cleaning up the Sri Lankan tail.
In 1st innings, Yashasvi Jaiswal (40), Shubman Gill (34) with 74 runs partnership gave India a solid start.
Surya Kumar Yadav (58) & Risabh Pant (49) carried India from the powerplays to end delivering finishing blows, & took them to 213-7 (20). Matheesha Pathirana was the star of Sri Lankan bowlers with spell of 4/40.
Surya was adjourned the Man of The Match for his heroics.
Brief Scorecard :
1st Innings :
IND : 213-7 (20)
Surya Kumar Yadav : 58 (26)
SL
Matheesha Pathirana : 4/40
2nd Innings :
SL : 170 (19.2)
Pathum Nissanka : 79 (48)
IND
Riyan Parag : 3/5
Result : India win by 43 Runs
