After his match-winning 44-ball 74* in the second T20I against Sri Lanka, Indian batter Shreyas Iyer said it was important for him to depend on his timing and footwork as the ball was swinging and seaming in Dharamsala.

Chasing 184 to win, the hosts were struggling at 44/2 but the duo of Shreyas and Sanju Samson turned the match on its head with an 84-run stand for the third wicket.

In particular, Iyer was severe on the Lankan bowlers as he notched up his half-century off 30 deliveries. After Samson’s dismissal on 39, Shreyas joined hands with Ravindra Jadeja in the middle and the pair took India over the line with seven wickets and 17 balls to spare.

"It was important for me to time the ball because it was swinging and seaming. When I faced the first few balls, I realised it wasn't turning (on the spinner), so I knew I could use the feet, the ball was travelling well, so I could step out on the lofted shots," said Iyer at the post-match presentation.

The right-hander also explained how the back and across movement at the crease is important for him while batting.

"That (back and across) is my go-to movement. I feel when I do that, the body reflexes work well and I can time my movement well," he said.

Lahiru Kumara (2/31) was troubling the Indian batters in the first 10 overs with his pace. However, the Sri Lankan skipper missed a trick by not asking him to bowl his full quota of overs.

Asked if Lahiru should have been given an extra over, Shreyas Iyer said, "I wasn't really thinking about that and was focussed on myself and at the present - that's what we always talk about in the team meetings."

With this victory, India took an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-T20I series. The third T20I will also be held in Dharamsala on Sunday (February 27).

(With IANS inputs)