The first T20I between Sri Lanka and India ended with the visiting team registering a convincing win. This was the first win under the new team management of captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Sri Lanka’s new captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and chose to field first at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, in Kandy.
India had a brisk start with Yashasvi Jaiswal (40) and Shubman Gill (34) adding 74 runs in 6 overs for the opening wicket. Then Suryakumar Yadav played a captain’s knock of 58 in only 26 balls, while Rishabh Pant, after initial struggles, made 49 in 33 balls.
India finished with 213/7 in 20 overs. For Sri Lanka, Matheesha Pathirana picked 4/40.
In response, Pathum Nissanka took the Indian bowlers to the cleaners as he and Kusal Mendis added 84 runs in 8.4 overs for the first wicket. Mendis got out for 45, but Nissanka and Kusal Perera continued to assault the Indian bowlers as Sri Lanka raced to 140/1 in 14 overs.
But then the wickets began to fall, starting with Nissanka, who slammed 79 in 48 balls and then Perera went back for 20 runs. Indian bowlers then tightened the noose on Lankan batters and Sri Lanka folded for 170 runs in 19.2 overs.
Riyan Parag took 3/5, while Arshdeep Singh and Akshar Patel took two wickets each as India won the first match by 43 runs. This was the first win under the new full-time captain Suryakumar Yadav and new head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Suryakumar Yadav also won the Player of the Match for his 58. The next T20I will be played on Sunday, July 28.
The cricket fraternity was elated at the auspicious and victorious beginnings of the Indian team and lauded them on social media.
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