Nidahas Tri-series 2018: IND v SL – Kushal Perera's whirlwind innings seals SL victory over India

Shikhar Dhawan hit a career best 90 in T20Is.

Shikhar Dhawan hit a career best 90 in T20Is | AFP

India and Sri Lanka opened the 2018 Nidahas Tri-series in Sri Lanka. The tournament was in a spot of bother as the government imposed a state of emergency for 10 days; and there were concerns about Indian team’s security too.

But all the rumors were quashed and match proceeded as scheduled. Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal won the toss and decided to chase. India gave a debut to Vijay Shankar; and Pant and Sundar came in the team.

Rohit Sharma went for a duck, continuing his bad run of form and Suresh Raina was bowled for 1. Shikhar Dhawan (90 off 49 balls with 6 fours and 6 sixes) added 95 runs with Manish Pandey (37). A one point, Team India was looking good for a 190 or more. But Sri Lankan bowlers pulled it back and despite valiant attempts from Rishabh Pant (23), India managed to put just 174/5 in 20 overs.

Dushmantha Chameera picked 2/33 for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan openers knew that they had to put the Indian bowlers under pressure and Kusal Mendis and Dhanushka Gunathilaka did just that. However, the chase belonged to Kusal Perera who slammed 66 in 37 balls with 4 sixes and 6 fours. He smashed Shardul Thakur for 27 runs off one over during his innings.

Though Sundar (2/28) and Chahal (2/37) picked up wickets, Thisara Perera hit a four and a six in the 18th over bowled by Unadkat and sealed the match for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka won the match by 5 wickets.

BRIEF SCORES:

IND 174/5 (S DHAWAN 90; D CHAMEERA 2/33) lost to SL 175/5 (K PERERA 66; W SUNDAR 2/28) by 5 wkts

 
 

By Jatin Sharma - 06 Mar, 2018

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