Match Center

Phew, aren't you entertained? There couldn't be a more perfect initiation to this crackerjack of a series than this for sure! This defeat might surely sting Sri Lanka as they were in a very strong position but just couldn't cope with that dramatic collapse wreaked by the Indian bowlers. Sri Lanka would like to go back to the drawing board and analyze where things went enormously wrong for them. India would look to compound on this momentum and extend their lead further in the series. Just like how rapidly the T20 format proceeds, it’s a quick turnaround as both sides will meet in less than 24 hours at the same venue in Kandy. The 2nd T20I will begin at 7 pm IST (1.30 pm GMT) on Sunday, 28th July. But as always, you can join us a lot sooner for the pre-match build-up. Take care, ADIOS!

Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian skipper is up for a chat now. He is all smiles and why not? He is also adjudged as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his 58 off just 26 deliveries that included 8 fours and 2 towering sixes. He says, Sri Lanka played a good brand of cricket and credits them for batting aggressively even when wickets were falling regularly. Says they practiced here three days back so they knew how it would play. He tells that they took the inspiration from the World Cup and that it is not over until it is over.

The captain of Sri Lanka, Charith Asalanka says that they were not up to the mark in the Powerplay but came back strongly with the ball. Tells that at one stage, they felt that India might get to 240, but his bowlers did well to restrict them. Feels that it was a bit disappointing with the way the middle order batted and could have done better. When asked if they are going to continue playing 6 batters and 5 bowlers, he says that it is an experiment and feels that it is the way they should go in the future.

THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY...

Shubman Gill is in for a chat. He starts by saying that when you are chasing 214 and need more than 14 runs per over, it is a matter of a couple of wickets and you are always in the game. Tells that he enjoyed batting with Yashasvi and they both complement each other well. Further says that the communication is simple and they went about their business after assessing the conditions. Feels that in T20s, it is important to score quickly and you need to assess the track and play accordingly.

Earlier in the game, India began strongly with Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal getting quick runs, cashing the benefits of the field restrictions. With no visible swing, it got a bit easier for the batters to cultivate their shots. They did not attack, they bludgeoned through the bowling. A slight blip with two quick wickets didn't bother Suryakumar Yadav. He kept boundaries coming at a regular pace and notched a 26-ball 58. When the others were being tonked all over the park, it was young gun Matheesha Pathirana, though, who brought in a slight slowdown in the run rate. Sticking to his guns, the slinger unleashed a masterclass, bagging a brilliant four-wicket haul and squeezing India in the backend to 213 of what looked like 230 kind of a score from the beginning.

This wicket brought in a squeeze for a couple of overs. Came in the spinners to the rescue. It was Axar Patel, the left-arm spinner, who broke the game wide open. In a game-changing over, he foxed both set batters, sending them back to the pavilion. The ball was gripping, turning, and asking questions with every delivery. Sensing blood in the water, Suryakumar Yadav kept the spin cartel operating. The cherry on top was the introduction of Riyan Parag, a part-time offie. The gamble paid off handsomely as Parag, with his golden arm, struck immediately and ran through the tail with three to his name.

The Men in Blue, with five bowlers, and looking to defend their total, found themselves on the back foot from the get-go. Their bowlers, tasked with backing up the batter's efforts, were instead taken to the cleaners. The new ball failed to produce any magic, with the pacers going for plenty. Hoping to stem the flow, the Indian skipper turned to his spin twins, but even this move failed to break the shackles. Quick change in plans - Arshdeep was brought back and created an inroad with a wicket.

However, chasing a 200-plus mountain is never a walk in the park, no matter how flat the track. The pressure of the asking rate is a constant companion in such chases. Just a couple of tight overs in the middle phase saw the required run rate skyrocketing, turning the screws on the batting side. It was followed by a domino effect with them falling from 140/1 to 170 all out, losing nine wickets in the span of just 5 overs or so.

Coming to chase a daunting total, Sri Lanka needed a strong start and they exactly got one. The opening stand between Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis came out with intent and helped Sri Lanka to get a strong foundation for the chase. The duo played copybook cricket, matching their opponents' stroke for stroke, and hovered at 10s per over, cashing in the restrictions masterfully. The pitch was still a belter, offering true bounce and coming nicely onto the bat when the bowlers provided any pace. The Lankan batters played percentage cricket and took their chances on poor deliveries while rotating the strike effectively in the first half.

INDIA WIN BY 43 RUNS AND TAKE THE LEAD BY 1-0 IN THIS 3-MATCH T20I SERIES OVER SRI LANKA! And they win in some fashion by totally outfoxing the Sri Lankan batting lineup in the second half of the chase. Sri Lanka were cruising consistently at above 10s an over with their openers Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka gassing excruciatingly until that 15th over that saw them slip down massively. All smiles in the Indian camp but they must have had their hearts out at mouths at the start of the chase for sure.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Make that third wicket for Riyan Parag! Two in two for Parag as India wrap things up. This has been a collapse of some enormity. At one point in the game, Sri Lanka were 140/1, only to lose their last 9 wickets for 30 runs to be bowled out for 170. Coming to the delivery, this was bowled from the back of the hand by Parag, fuller and quicker, on middle and leg, Dilshan Madushanka exposes all his stumps and swings with all his might. Misses the line of the ball and sees his woodwork disturbed.  India win by 43 runs to go 1-0 up in the series!

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Make that third wicket for Riyan Parag! Two in two for Parag as India wrap things up. This has been a collapse of some enormity. At one point in the game, Sri Lanka were 140/1, only to lose their last 9 wickets for 30 runs to be bowled out for 170. Coming to the delivery, this was bowled from the back of the hand by Parag, fuller and quicker, on middle and leg, Dilshan Madushanka exposes all his stumps and swings with all his might. Misses the line of the ball and sees his woodwork disturbed.  India win by 43 runs to go 1-0 up in the series!

OUT! CASTLED! Riyan Parag has another! Parag comes from over the wicket and fires it in, on a full length, on the leg pole, Maheesh Theekshana ends up giving himself too much room to go through the off side. He plays outside the line of the ball and gets an outside edge that deflects onto the leg pole. Second wicket of the night for Parag.

OUT! CASTLED! Riyan Parag has another! Parag comes from over the wicket and fires it in, on a full length, on the leg pole, Maheesh Theekshana ends up giving himself too much room to go through the off side. He plays outside the line of the ball and gets an outside edge that deflects onto the leg pole. Second wicket of the night for Parag.

Arshdeep Singh will most probably bowl the 20th over. The camera pans towards Gautam Gambhir and one can see a broad smile on his face. Oh, surprisingly it is Riyan Parag (1-0-5-1) to deliver the final over.

Spears a yorker in, on off, Asitha Fernando jams it out to mid off.