India pacer Avesh Khan on Sunday (February 27) said the pitch was assisting the bowlers during the third T20I against Sri Lanka in Dharamsala.
The hosts defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets to clinch the series 3-0. Riding on Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten half-century, India chased down the visitors’ target of 147 with 19 balls to spare.
"The wicket was supporting the bowlers, the plan was to just bowl proper line and length. The popping crease was slippery the other day (on why he struggled in the 3rd T20I against West Indies). Here, I just needed to be disciplined," Avesh said in the post-match presentation.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted a respectable 146/5 in their stipulated 20 overs after opting to bat first. Skipper Dasun Shanaka was the lone warrior with the bat, scoring 74 not out off 38 balls (9 fours and 2 sixes).
Avesh Khan was the stand-out bowler for India, claiming two wickets by conceding 23 runs in his four overs. Mohammed Siraj (1-22), Harshal Patel (1-29), and Ravi Bishnoi (1-32) also bowled economically and picked up one scalp each.
In reply, Team India lost captain Rohit Sharma (5) cheaply but the hosts never found themselves in trouble. While Shreyas Iyer starred in the chase with 45-ball 73*, Ravindra Jadeja (22*), Deepak Hooda (21), and Sanju Samson (18) ably supported him.
After the match, all-rounder Jadeja explained why he did not bowl in the third and final T20I of the series.
"The plan was to give Bishnoi and Kuldeep some match practice today, that's the reason I didn't bowl," Jadeja said.
The series also marked Ravindra Jadeja’s return to international cricket after a lengthy injury lay-off and the all-rounder impressed one and all, especially with the bat in hand.
"I have worked hard at the NCA (National Cricket Academy). The trainers there were helpful. That was my preparation for the T20Is and the upcoming Tests," he said.
(With ANI inputs)
