Indian skipper Virat Kohli looks on at the trophy before the start of 1st T20 match against Sri Lanka at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. File Photo: PTI
K L Rahul maintained his upper hand over Shikhar Dhawan in the race for the opener's slot with a classy knock as India outplayed Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second T20 International at Holkar Stadium, Indore on Tuesday. The convincing win gave the hosts an unassailable 1-0 lead in the three-match series. After reducing an inexperienced Sri Lanka to 142 for nine, Rahul (45 off 32) provided a perfect start, taking India to 54 for no loss in six overs. Eventually, Virat Kohli (30 not out off 17) and Shreyas Iyer (34 off 26), who batted ahead of the skipper at number three, fired India home in 17.3 overs. Iyer fell just before India crossed the finishing line as Kohli finished things with a spectacular six over deep fine leg. The third and final game of the series will be played in Pune on Friday.
Dhawan (32 off 29), returning to action after missing the limited overs series against the West Indies due to injury, was not at his fluent best and could not keep up with Rahul at the other end.
The 27-year-old from Karnataka carried his sublime form against the West Indies into effectively what was the first game of the series, following the washout in Guwahati.
Rahul's off-side play was a treat to the eye, with five of his six boundaries coming between backward point and mid-off region. His cover drives seemed as effortless the backfoot punches.
Both Dhawan and Rahul are competing for the second opener's slot.
After the fall of the openers, Kohli and Iyer enthralled the Indore crowd with some clean hitting.
Earlier, a disciplined Indian bowling attack proved too good for the struggling Sri Lankans, reducing the visitors to a below-par total. On a good batting surface, the inexperienced Sri Lanka batsmen squandered promising starts. Their job was made harder by Navdeep Saini (2/18), Shardul Thakur (3/23) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/38), who shared seven wickets among themselves.
Coming from a three-month injury lay-off, lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah did not look at his best, ending with figures of 32 for one in four overs, the most expensive after Kuldeep. In a rare occurrence, death overs expert Bumrah conceded three back-to-back boundaries in the 20th over. Kusal Perera top-scored for Sri Lanka with an entertaining 34 off 28 balls.
Both teams went in with the same eleven that was picked for the abandoned series opener. Sri Lanka made a decent start after Kohli opted to chase on a batting beauty, reaching 48 for one in six overs.
The brisk start was provided by Avishka Fernando (22 off 16), who got off the blocks with a delightful cover drive off a juicy half-volley from Bumrah. It was the first legitimate ball Bumrah bowled in his comeback game after starting with a wide.
Bumrah, playing his first game in more than three months, bowled his two overs in the Powerplay from different ends, giving away 16 runs. He removed Dasun Shanaka with a slower ball in his third over before conceding 12 runs in the 20th.
Opener Fernando looked all class in the middle until he threw it away. Danushka Gunathilaka (20 off 21), too, looked good at the other end, but just like Fernando, he also departed after getting set.
Fernando was caught at mid-off in Washington Sundar's first over before Saini cleaned up left-hander Gunathilaka with a fast yorker, something the Delhi pacer has been doing really well.
Kuldeep, too, struck in his opening after Oshada Fernando (10 off 9) failed to pick his googly, leaving Sri Lanka at 82 for three in the 12th over.
Kuldee got rid of the dangerous Perera in his next over. After reverse sweeping the left-spinner for a six, Perera tried to clear the straight boundary but was caught by Dhawan at long-on.
Sri Lanka kept losing wickets at regular intervals which did not allow them to put up a competitive total.
Here are the playing 11 of both the sides:
Sri Lanka playing 11: Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera (wk), Oshada Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Lasith Malinga (c)
India playing 11: Shikhar Dhawan, K L Rahul, Virat Kohli(c), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(w), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah
10:09 PM IST
India: 144-3
Lahiru Kumara [3.0-0-23-0] is back into the attack
Ball 3: Kohli whips the delivery on his pads towards deep backward square leg for SIX and wins the match for INDIA.
Ball 2: Rishabh Pant, left handed bat, comes to the crease and hits the short delivery towards deep square leg for a single.
Ball 1: Iyer tries to win the match by hitting a six, gets perished. Shreyas Iyer c Shanaka b Lahiru Kumara 34(26) [4s-3 6s-1]
10:05 PM IST
Over Summary: 4 2 6 2 1 1 ; India: 137-2
Lasith Malinga [3.0-0-25-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Iyer towards deep mid-wicket.
Ball 5: Kohli digs out the yorker towards deeo mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 4: A full delivery and Kohli whips towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
Ball 3: Kohli hoicks the short delivery towards deep backward square leg for SIX.
Ball 2: A couple of runs for Kohli.
Ball 1: Kohli gets an inside edge towards fine leg boundary for FOUR.
10:00 PM IST
Over Summary: 1 4 1 1 4 6 ; India: 121-2
Wanindu Hasaranga [3.0-0-13-2] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Iyer comes down the wicket and dispatches into the crowd for SIX.
Ball 5: Iyer slog sweeps towards cow corner for FOUR
Ball 4: Kohli drives towards lkong-off for a single.
Ball 3: Iyer collects a single towards long-on.
Ball 2: Iyer smashes straight down the ground for FOUR.
Ball 1: Kohli slog sweeps towards cow corner for a single
9:56 PM IST
Over Summary: 0 1 1 1 1 1 ; India: 104-2
Dasun Shanaka [3.0-0-21-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Kohli
Ball 5: Iyer hits towards long-on for a single.
Ball 4: Kohli punches down the ground for a single.
Ball 3: Iyer gets an inside towards leg side for a single.
Ball 2: A single for Kohli
Ball 1: DOT
9:52 PM IST
Over Summary: 0 1 1 0 4 0 ; India: 99-2
Lahiru Kumara [2.0-0-17-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A bumper and Iyer ducks under it.
Ball 5: A half volley and Iyer hits over bowler's head for FOUR.
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: A short delivery and Kohli pulls towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 2: Iyer hits the full delivery towards long-on for a single.
Ball 1: DOT
9:47 PM IST
Over Summary: 1 1 1 1 0 1 ; India: 93-2
Lasith Malinga [2.0-0-20-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A slow bumper and Iyer guides towards third man for a single.
Ball 5: Iye blocks the toe-crusher.
Ball 4: Virat Kohli hits towards deep fine leg for a single.
Ball 3: Iyer gets an inside edge onto the pads for a quick single.
Ball 2: Kohli dabs towards third man for a single.
Ball 1: Iyer collects a single towards third man.
9:43 PM IST
Over Summary: 1 W 0 1 0 1 ; India: 88-2
Hasaranga continues
Ball 6: A single for Iyer
Ball 5: DOT
Ball 4: A single for Kohli down to long-on
Ball 3: DOT
Virat Kohli, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 2: Dhawan goes for sweep shot, misses followed by a loud appeal, umpire declines. Lanka take review. NO bat involved, ball pitching in line and hitting stumps. GONE. On field decision overturned. Dhawan lbw b Hasaranga 32(29) [4s-2]
Ball 1: Iyer collects a single
9:37 PM IST
Over Summary: 1 1 1 0 1 4 ; India: 85-1
Shanaka continues
Ball 6: Dhawan smashes FOUR
Ball 5: Iyer collects a single.
Ball 4: Iyer hits back to bowler
Ball 3: A single for Dhawan towards backward square leg
Ball 2: Iyer taps with soft hand on off side for a single.
Ball 1: Dhawan tucks towards deep mid-wicket for a single
9:33 PM IST
Over Summary: W 2 1 1 1 1 ; India: 77-1
Hasaranga continues
Ball 6: Dhawan hits towards sweeper cover for a single.
Ball 5: Iyer defends straight down the ground for a single
Ball 4: Dhawan works towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 3: Iyer taps towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 2: Iyer cuts towards deep point for a couple of runs.
Shreyas Iyer, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 1: Rahul comes down the wicket for a fancy shot, deceived by the google, castled. Rahul b Hasaranga 45(32) [4s-6]
9:28 PM IST
Over Summary: 2 0 1 1 4 0 ; India: 71-0
Shanaka continues
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: A sloppy fielding effort from Malinga at mid-off, gives Dhawan his first boundary of the match.
Ball 4: Rahul works towards deep square leg for a single.
Ball 3: A short delivery and Dhawan pulls towards deep backward square leg for a single.
Ball 2: Dhawan pushes towards mid-off for no run.
Ball 1: Dhawan glances towards fine leg for a couple of runs.
9:24 PM IST
Over Summary: 1 1 1 0 1 0 ; India: 63-0
Wanindu Hasaranga, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: A single for Dhawan down the ground.
Ball 4: Dhawan comes down the wicket, gets an inside edge for no run.
Ball 3: Rahul drives towards sweeper cover for a single.
Ball 2: A single for Dhawan
Ball 1: A single for Rahul towards extra cover.
Lahiru Kumara [3.0-0-23-0] is back into the attack
Ball 3: Kohli whips the delivery on his pads towards deep backward square leg for SIX and wins the match for INDIA.
Ball 2: Rishabh Pant, left handed bat, comes to the crease and hits the short delivery towards deep square leg for a single.
Ball 1: Iyer tries to win the match by hitting a six, gets perished. Shreyas Iyer c Shanaka b Lahiru Kumara 34(26) [4s-3 6s-1]
Over 17; India need 6 runs in 18 balls
Over Summary: 4 2 6 2 1 1 ; India: 137-2
Lasith Malinga [3.0-0-25-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Iyer towards deep mid-wicket.
Ball 5: Kohli digs out the yorker towards deeo mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 4: A full delivery and Kohli whips towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
Ball 3: Kohli hoicks the short delivery towards deep backward square leg for SIX.
Ball 2: A couple of runs for Kohli.
Ball 1: Kohli gets an inside edge towards fine leg boundary for FOUR.
Over 16; India need 22 runs in 24 balls
Over Summary: 1 4 1 1 4 6 ; India: 121-2
Wanindu Hasaranga [3.0-0-13-2] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Iyer comes down the wicket and dispatches into the crowd for SIX.
Ball 5: Iyer slog sweeps towards cow corner for FOUR
Ball 4: Kohli drives towards lkong-off for a single.
Ball 3: Iyer collects a single towards long-on.
Ball 2: Iyer smashes straight down the ground for FOUR.
Ball 1: Kohli slog sweeps towards cow corner for a single
Over 15; India need 39 runs in 30 balls
Over Summary: 0 1 1 1 1 1 ; India: 104-2
Dasun Shanaka [3.0-0-21-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Kohli
Ball 5: Iyer hits towards long-on for a single.
Ball 4: Kohli punches down the ground for a single.
Ball 3: Iyer gets an inside towards leg side for a single.
Ball 2: A single for Kohli
Ball 1: DOT
Over 14; India need 44 runs in 36 balls
Over Summary: 0 1 1 0 4 0 ; India: 99-2
Lahiru Kumara [2.0-0-17-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A bumper and Iyer ducks under it.
Ball 5: A half volley and Iyer hits over bowler's head for FOUR.
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: A short delivery and Kohli pulls towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 2: Iyer hits the full delivery towards long-on for a single.
Ball 1: DOT
Over 13; India need 50 runs in 42 balls
Over Summary: 1 1 1 1 0 1 ; India: 93-2
Lasith Malinga [2.0-0-20-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A slow bumper and Iyer guides towards third man for a single.
Ball 5: Iye blocks the toe-crusher.
Ball 4: Virat Kohli hits towards deep fine leg for a single.
Ball 3: Iyer gets an inside edge onto the pads for a quick single.
Ball 2: Kohli dabs towards third man for a single.
Ball 1: Iyer collects a single towards third man.
Over 12; India need 55 runs in 48 balls
Over Summary: 1 W 0 1 0 1 ; India: 88-2
Hasaranga continues
Ball 6: A single for Iyer
Ball 5: DOT
Ball 4: A single for Kohli down to long-on
Ball 3: DOT
Virat Kohli, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 2: Dhawan goes for sweep shot, misses followed by a loud appeal, umpire declines. Lanka take review. NO bat involved, ball pitching in line and hitting stumps. GONE. On field decision overturned. Dhawan lbw b Hasaranga 32(29) [4s-2]
Ball 1: Iyer collects a single
Over 11; India need 58 runs in 54 balls
Over Summary: 1 1 1 0 1 4 ; India: 85-1
Shanaka continues
Ball 6: Dhawan smashes FOUR
Ball 5: Iyer collects a single.
Ball 4: Iyer hits back to bowler
Ball 3: A single for Dhawan towards backward square leg
Ball 2: Iyer taps with soft hand on off side for a single.
Ball 1: Dhawan tucks towards deep mid-wicket for a single
Over 10; India need 66 runs in 60 balls
Over Summary: W 2 1 1 1 1 ; India: 77-1
Hasaranga continues
Ball 6: Dhawan hits towards sweeper cover for a single.
Ball 5: Iyer defends straight down the ground for a single
Ball 4: Dhawan works towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 3: Iyer taps towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 2: Iyer cuts towards deep point for a couple of runs.
Shreyas Iyer, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 1: Rahul comes down the wicket for a fancy shot, deceived by the google, castled. Rahul b Hasaranga 45(32) [4s-6]
Over 9; India need 72 runs in 66 balls
Over Summary: 2 0 1 1 4 0 ; India: 71-0
Shanaka continues
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: A sloppy fielding effort from Malinga at mid-off, gives Dhawan his first boundary of the match.
Ball 4: Rahul works towards deep square leg for a single.
Ball 3: A short delivery and Dhawan pulls towards deep backward square leg for a single.
Ball 2: Dhawan pushes towards mid-off for no run.
Ball 1: Dhawan glances towards fine leg for a couple of runs.
Over 8; CRR: 7.88 REQ: 6.67
Over Summary: 1 1 1 0 1 0 ; India: 63-0
Wanindu Hasaranga, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: A single for Dhawan down the ground.
Ball 4: Dhawan comes down the wicket, gets an inside edge for no run.
Ball 3: Rahul drives towards sweeper cover for a single.
Ball 2: A single for Dhawan
Ball 1: A single for Rahul towards extra cover.
Over 7; CRR: 8.43 REQ: 6.46
Over Summary: 0 1 1 2 0 1 ; India: 59-0
Dasun Shanaka, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Rahul works towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 5: Rahul pushes towards extra cover for no run.
Ball 4: Rahul punches down the ground for a couple of runs.
Ball 3: Dhawan drives towards sweeper cover for a single.
Ball 2: A single for Rahul towards cover region.
Ball 1: DOT
Over 6
Over Summary: 1 1B 0 1 1 1 ; India: 54-0
Dhananjaya de Silva continues
Ball 6: Rahul collects a single as bowler makes a sloppy fielding effort.
Ball 5: A single for Dhawan
Ball 4: A single for Rahul towards deep mid-wicket
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: Dhawan comes down the wicket and misses, so does keeper, missed stumping chance. One byes for India
Ball 1: A single for Rahul
Over 5
Over Summary: 1 4 4 0 L1 0 ; India: 49-0
Lahiru Kumara [1.0-0-8-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: One leg byes
Ball 4: Rahul tries to swivel and hit the short delivery towards on side, hits from the toe end of the bat back tow bowler.
Ball 3: This time, Rahul plays a cover drive uppishly towards extra cover boundary for FOUR
Ball 2: Rahul plays a classic cover drive on backfoot for FOUR, sheer class.
Ball 1: Dhawan dabs down to wide of third man for a single.
Over 4
Over Summary: 1 4 2 2 1 1 ; India: 39-0
Dhananjaya de Silva, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Dhawan
Ball 5: Rahul pushes down the ground for a single
Ball 4: Rahul plays a slog sweep gets a top edge towards third man for a couple of runs.
Ball 3: Rahul steers down to short third man for a double.
Ball 2: Rahul plays an elegant extra cover drive for FOUR
Ball 1: Dhawan punches down the ground for a single.
Over 3
Over Summary: 4 4 0 1 1 2 ; India: 28-0
Lasith Malinga continues
Ball 6: A couple of runs for Rahul
Ball 5: Dhawan comes down the wicket and drives towards extra cover for a risky single.
Ball 4: Rahul works wide of third man for a single
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: Rahul smashes FOUR
Ball 1:Rahul plays a cover drive for FOUR
Over 2
Over Summary: 1 1 1 0 4 1 ; India: 16-0
Lahiru Kumara, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Rahul steers down to third man for a single
Ball 5: Rahul smashes FOUR
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: A single for Dhawan
Ball 2: A single for Rahul
Ball 1: A single for Dhawan
Over 1
Over Summary: 1 0 0 2 0 5 ; India: 8-0
Rahul and Dhawan are at the crease. Rahul is on strike. Malinga will open the attack
Ball 6: 4 Overthrows
Ball 5: DOT
Ball 4: A couple of runs for Dhawan
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: A single for Rahul
Over 20
Over Summary: 0 0 0 4 4 4 ; Sri Lanka: 142-9
Jasprit Bumrah [3.0-0-20-1] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A short delivery and Hasaranga gets a top edge over keeper for FOUR.
Ball 5: Hasaranga picks the gap between extra cover and mid-off for FOUR
Ball 4: Hasaranga smashes FOUR towards third man
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: DOT
Lahiru Kumara, left handed bat, comes to the crease
Over 19; Shardul takes three wickets
Over Summary: 1 W 1 1 W W ; Sri Lanka: 130-9
Shardul Thakur [3.0-0-20-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Malinga gets a top edge to deep backward square leg GONE for a duck.
Lasith Malinga, right handed batsman, comes at the crease
Ball 5: Shardul deceives Udana with a slow delivery, gets a leading edge to extra cover GONE. Udana c Saini b Thakur 1 (2)
Ball 4: A single for Hasaranga
Ball 3: A single for Udana
Isuru Udana, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 2: de Silva tries to hit over mid-off, fails to do it as Dube completes the catch. Dhananjaya de Silva c Shivam Dube b SN Thakur 17(13) [4s-2]
Ball 1: A single for Hasaranga
Over 18
Over Summary: 1 1 2 4 1 1 ; Sri Lanka: 127-6
Kuldeep Yadav continues
Ball 6: A single for Hasaranga
Ball 5: A single for de Silva
Ball 4: de Silva smashes FOUR
Ball 3: A couple of runs for de Silva
Ball 2: A single for Hasaranga
Ball 1: A single for de Silva
Wanindu Hasaranga, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Over 17
Over Summary: 1 0 1 1 1 W ; Sri Lanka: 117-6
Jasprit Bumrah [2.0-0-16-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Bumrah castles Shanaka. Shanaka b Bumrah 7(8)
Ball 5: A single for de Silva
Ball 4: A single for Shanaka
Ball 3: A single for de Silva
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: A single for Shanaka towards mid-wicket
Over 16
Over Summary: 1 0 1 1 2 4 ; Sri Lanka: 113-5
Kuldeep Yadav continues
Ball 6: de Silva smashes FOUR
Ball 5: A couple of runs for de Silva
Ball 4: A single for Shanaka
Ball 3: A single for de Silva
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: A single for Shanaka
Over 15
Over Summary: 1 1 0 0 W 0 ; Sri Lanka: 104-5
Navdeep Saini [3.0-0-16-1] is back into the attack
Ball 6: DOT
Dhananjaya de Silva, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 5: A short delivery and Rajapaksa gets beaten by pace, gloves it to keeper, GONE. Rajapaksa c Pant b Saini 9(12) [4s-1]
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: A single for Shanaka
Ball 1: A single for Rajapaksa towards deep backward point
Over 14; CRR: 7.29
Over Summary: 6 W 2 1 2 0 ; Sri Lanka: 102-4
Kuldeep Yadav continues
Ball 6: Shanaka hits towards extra cover for no run.
Ball 5: A couple of runs for Dasun Shanaka
Ball 4: A single for Rajapaksa towards cover-point region.
Ball 3: Rajapaksa drives towards wide of long-off for a couple of runs.
Dasun Shanaka, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 2: Kusal Perera goes down the wicket and reaches for a wide delivery outside off, gets a top edge and Shikhar Dhawan completes the catch at long-on, second wicket for India's chinaman. Kusal Perera c Dhawan b Kuldeep Yadav 34(28) [6s-3]
Ball 1: Kusal Perera unleashes switch hit, smashes SIX towards third man region
Over 13
Over Summary: 1 0 0 4 1 1 ; Sri Lanka: 91-3
Shardul Thakur [2.0-0-13-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Kusal Perera towards deep mid-wicket
Ball 5: A single for Rajapaksa
Ball 4: Rajapaksa smashes FOUR
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: A single for Kusal Perera
Over 12
Over Summary: 6 1 W 0 1B 1 ; Sri Lanka: 84-3
Kuldeep Yadav, left-arm chinaman, comes into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Kusal Perera
Ball 5: One byes
Ball 4: DOT
Bhanuka Rajapaksa, left handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 3: Oshande Fernando comes down the wicket for a biggie, gets beaten on the flight and Rishabh Pant did the rest, STUMPED.
Ball 2: Kusal Perera hits towards sweeper cover for a single.
Ball 1: Kusal Perera comes down the wicket and hits towards deep mid-wicket for SIX
Over 11
Over Summary: 4 1 1 1 0 1 ; Sri Lanka: 75-2
Sundar continues
Ball 6: Kusal Perera punches down the ground for a single.
Ball 5: Kusal Perera goes for slog sweep, gets an inside edge onto the pads for no run.
Ball 4: Fernando works towards mid-wicket with a soft hand for only a single.
Ball 3: Kusal Perera smashes towards deep mid-wicket for a single
Ball 2: Fernando tries to reverse sweep, gets only a single
Ball 1: Fernando sweeps towards deep backward square leg for FOUR
Over 10
Over Summary: 0 1 0 0 1 1 ; Sri Lanka: 67-2
Navdeep Saini continues
Ball 6: A single for Fernando
Ball 5: A single for Kusal Perera
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: A single for Fernando
Ball 1: DOT
Over 9; CRR: 7.11
Over Summary: 0 0 1 1 6 0 ; Sri Lanka: 64-2
Sundar continues
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: Kusal Perera slog sweeps towards deep mid-wicket for SIX.
Ball 4: Fernando punches down the ground for a single.
Ball 3: A single for Kusal Perera towards deep mid wicket
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: DOT
Over 8; Navdeep Saini castles Gunathilaka by a 147-5 kmph delivery
Over Summary: 0 1 0 W 1 1 ; Sri Lanka: 56-2
Navdeep Saini comes back into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Kusal Perera
Ball 5: A single for Fernando
Oshada Fernando, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 4: Navdeep Saini cleans up Gunathilaka with a 147.5 kmph delivery. Gunathilaka b Navdeep Saini 20(21) [4s-3]
Ball 3: Navdeep Saini beats Gunathilaka with his sheer pace.
Ball 2: Perera hits towards long-on for a single
Ball 1: Kusal Perera goes for wild swing, misses
Over 7; CRR: 7.57
Over Summary: 1 0 1 1 1 1 ; Sri Lanka: 53-1
Washignton Sundar continues
Ball 6: Kusal Perera hits towards mid-wicket for a single
Ball 5: Gunathilaka hits towards long-off for a single.
Ball 4: Kusal Perera reverse sweeps towards short third man for a single
Ball 3: A single for Gunathilaka towards long-off.
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: Kusal Perera collects a single towards cover-point region.
Over 6
Over Summary: 1 4 2 1L 0 1 ; Sri Lanka: 48-1
Shardul Thakur [1.0-0-5-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Kusal Perera works towards deep square leg for a single.
Ball 5: Kusal Perera nudges towards short fine leg for no run.
Ball 4: A single for Gunathilaka
Ball 3: Gunathilaka cuts through point for a couple of runs.
Ball 2: A cracking shot from Gunathilaka for FOUR.
Ball 1: Kusal Perera collects a single
Over 5; Sundar gets Avishka Fernando
Over Summary: 4 1 1 1 W 1 ; Sri Lanka: 39-1
Washington Sundar, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Kusal Perera.
Kusal Perera, left handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 5: Avishka tries to hit over mid-off but Navdeep Saini completes the catch easily, using his height to good use. Avishka Fernando c Saini b Washington Sundar 22(16) [4s-5]
Ball 4: A single for Gunathilaka towards mid-on
Ball 3: A single for Avishka Fernando towards mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 2: A single for Gunathilaka
Ball 1: Gunathilaka reverse sweeps towards short third man for FOUR
Over 4
Over Summary: 4 0 0 1 0 4 ; Sri Lanka: 31-0
Jasprit Bumrah [1.0-0-7-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A full delivery on leg side, Avishka whips it over short mid-wicket for FOUR.
Ball 5: A yorker outside off, Avishka tries to guide it through vacant slip region, misses.
Ball 4: A short delivery and Gunathilaka gloves it towards forward short leg region for a single.
Ball 3: Another slower delivery and Gunathilaka has no clue, beaten outside off.
Ball 2: Bumrah beats Gunathilaka with a slow delivery outside off.
Ball 1: Gunathilaka carves through backward point for FOUR
Over 3; Avishka on fire
Over Summary: Wd 0 0 1 4 0 4 ; Sri Lanka: 22-0
Navdeep Saini, right-arm fast, comes into the attack
Ball 6: A short of length delivery and Avishka pulls over short mid-wicket for FOUR
Ball 5: Avishka punches good length delivery towards extra cover for no run.
Ball 4: Avishka drives through left of mid-off for FOUR.
Ball 3: Gunathilaka taps in front of keeper for a quick single.
Ball 2: Gunathilaka dabs towards backward point for no run.
Ball 1: A short of length delivery and Gunathilaka hits towards square leg fielder for no run.
Ball 1: WIDE down the leg side
Over 2
Over Summary: 0 0 0 4 Wd 0 0 ; Sri Lanka: 12-0
Shardul Thakur, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
Ball 6: A short delivery, Avishka tries to pull it, hits from the bottom of the bat. Ball falls in front of mid on fielder for no run.
Ball 5: Avishka pushes towards extra cover for no run.
Ball 5: WIDE
Ball 4: Avishka punches straight down the ground for FOUR.
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: Shardul Thakur beats Avishka outside off with a peach of delivery, no run.
Over 1
Over Summary: 2Wd 4 0 1 0 0 0 ; Sri Lanka: 7-0
Gunathilaka and Avishka Fernando are at the crease. Gunathilaka is on strike. Bumrah opens the attack
Sri Lanka playing 11: Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera (wk), Oshada Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Lasith Malinga (c)
India playing 11
India playing 11: Shikhar Dhawan, K L Rahul, Virat Kohli(c), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(w), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah
TOSS ALERT: India win toss and elect to bowl first
Indian skipper Virat Kohli flips the coin and Sri Lankan captain Lasith Malinga calls tails but it is heads. India win the toss and elect to bowl first
PITCH REPORT
The Holkar pitch is a belter for batting. There is some grass on the surface, but it will only help to bind the surface. The captain winning the toss will chase, the batsmen would want to pad up, say Murali Kartik and Sunil Gavaskar during pitch report
Stats at Holkar Stadium, Indore
Average first innings total: 170-7
Best Sixes per innings in India (IPL & T20s): 9.3
Wickets in Last 10 T20s:Pacers: 70, Spinners: 37
India vs Sri Lanka head to head
India and Sri Lanka have faced each other in 17 T20Is, out of which India have won 11 -- joint most for them against all opponents faced in shortest format.
Sri Lanka look to make impact in remaining two matches
For Sri Lanka, the remaining two matches of the series would be about giving match practice to the likes of Angelo Mathews who is returning to the national side having last played a T20I against South Africa in August 2018
In their last T20I series, Sri Lanka suffered a 0-3 rout in Australia as all their three departments failed to put in a commanding performance.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli and his Sri Lankan counterpart Lasith Malinga shake hands before the start of 1st T20 Match at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. File photo: PTI
Dhawan on K L Rahul's superb form
In Dhawan's absence, KL Rahul scored a lot of runs opening the batting along with Rohit Sharma, putting pressure on the left-hander.
Asked about his mindset, the 34-said: "I am always positive. I always take things in a positive manner. Injuries are quite natural, so I just take it in my stride. I don't make a fuss about it. I make sure that I always stay in a positive mindset and that helps things to heal very quickly."
"I am always developing my game, developing new shots. I always make sure that I do my preparation well and come on the ground and enjoy myself," he added.
India's Shikhar Dhawan celebrates his century during the 4th ODI cricket match against Australia in Mohali. Photo: PTI
Dhawan aims to become more 'impactful' for World T20
India opener Shikhar Dhawan, who is making a return to the national side after an injury layoff, is hoping to become a more "impactful" player and help the team win the World T20 slated to be held later in the year in Australia.
Dhawan has not been in form lately, especially in T20Is where he scored just 272 runs in 12 innings at a below-par strike-rate of 110.56. However, his plans to return to form were washed out on Sunday after the first T20I of the three-match series against Sri Lanka was called off without a ball being bowled.
"Last year I had lots of injuries but that's part and parcel of our work. It's a new year and I am looking forward for a new start and it's gonna go a long way," Dhawan told BCCI TV.
"This year looking I am forward to score lots of runs for the team and for myself and be a more impactful player, win matches for my team and win the World Cup," he added.
Shikhar Dhawan. Photo: Reuters
Pant need to perform as in-form Sanju Samson is in squad
Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant - like recent times - will once again be watched with careful eyes. Pant knows that he cannot take things lightly and need to perform as Sanju Samson as already warmed the benches for six straight T20Is.
Seniors in side have to do more if we have to beat India: Perera
Sri Lanka wicket-keeper batsman Kusal Perera says the senior players in the side will have to share more responsibility if they are to beat India in the three-match T20 series.
The Sri Lanka cricket team is going through a transition phase, struggling to replace stalwarts such as Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
"I didn't play consistent Test cricket but in white ball cricket, I played last series in Australia. There I played well but not upto the mark. So I will try to do my best in this series," Perera, who has played 18 Tests, 98 ODIs and 43 T20s.
"We need to play together as a team. Obviously the senior players will have to pull up their socks. They will have to do much better but at the same time the good thing is we have some young bowlers and batsmen in the squad," Perera told bcci.tv.
Sri Lankan team is ranked seventh in T20s, eighth in ODIs and sixth in Test cricket. Their opponents, India, on the other hand, are fifth in T20s, second in ODIs and sit atop the table for five-day format.
"They (India) are very good. In world cricket, India is at the top of the rank. So, as a team we will try to do what we can do in the middle. We back our strengths," he said after the first T20 of the three-match series was washed out here on Sunday night.
The 29-year-old left-handed batsman said being a senior player, he too will be under the lens in the short series.
"This series will be a good experience for me as I have to take responsibility. I will have to bat at number three position and I will try to do my best," he said.
India tentative playing 11: Shikhar Dhawan, K L Rahul, Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah
Sri Lanka tentative playing 11: Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera (wk), Oshada Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Lasith Malinga (c)
India has upper hand against Sri Lanka at Holkar Stadium
Team India has an enviable record at the Holkar Stadium, where it will be playing the second T20 International match against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, as the hosts have remained unbeaten across all formats at the venue here since 2006.
Given that the 27,000-capacity Holkar Stadium in the city has been a happy hunting ground for India, the hosts will be favourites when they take on their Asian rival.
The stadium has hosted two Tests, a T20 international and 5 ODIs since 2006 and India have emerged victorious on all the eight occasions.
Coincidently, the first T20I at the Holkar Stadium was played between India and Sri Lanka on December 22, 2017 and the Men in Blue had thrashed the visitors by 88 runs.
Before the Holkar Stadium was built, cricket matches used to take place at the city's Nehru Stadium.
In 1997, Sri Lanka had played against India at the Nehru Stadium, but the match was abandoned after the visitors had complained about the quality of the pitch.
India vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20 International preview
A washed out series-opener means Shikhar Dhawan has one game less to make a statement in his quest to outperform an in-form K L Rahul, making the opener's fortunes an interesting sub-plot of India's second T20 International against Sri Lanka cricket team at Holkar Stadium in Indore on Tuesday.
Dhawan, 35, is a proven performer in limited overs cricket but with age on Rahul's side (27), time is running out for the easy-going Delhi-based cricketer to cement his place for the T20 World Cup later this year.
The left-hander's strike rate in the shortest format has been an issue for a while and that is one thing he must address in the remaining two matches against Sri Lanka.
The fact that Dhawan is coming back from an injury, one of the many he suffered in 2019, makes his task all the more challenging.
In the year that went by, Dhawan managed 272 runs in 12 games at a strike rate of 110.
Rahul, on the other hand, has made the most of his opportunities at the top and was in scintillating form in the previous limited overs series (three ODIs and three T20s) against the West Indies, scoring a hundred and three fifties in six innings.
Former India opener and chief selector Krishnamachari Srikanth has gone to the extent of saying that there is no competition between Dhawan and Rahul as the latter is way ahead in the race to be Rohit Sharma's partner in the T20 World Cup in Australia.
Skipper Virat Kohli too has stated that choosing between Dhawan and Rahul will be a tough call after Rohit, who is rested from the Sri Lanka series, returns to opening the innings. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE