The three-match T20I series between India and Sri Lanka got underway with the first game at R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday (July 25).
Invited to bat first, the visitors posted 164/5 in 20 overs on the back of Suryakumar Yadav’s 34-ball 50 and skipper Shikhar Dhawan’s 46 off 36 balls. Sanju Samson (27 off 20 balls) and Ishan Kishan (20* off 14 balls) also chipped in with handy twenties.
Dushmantha Chameera (2-24) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2-28) were the stand-out bowlers for Sri Lanka, picking up two wickets each in their stipulated four overs.
Defending the total, Indian bowlers did a commendable job and bundled out the hosts for 126 in 18.3 overs to register a comprehensive 38-run victory.
Pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4-22) and Deepak Chahar (2-24) took six wickets between them and were also economical with the ball while the spin duo of Varun Chakravarthy (1-28) and Yuzvendra Chahal (1-19) bowled brilliantly to claim one scalp each.
It was a below-par batting performance from Sri Lanka. Apart from Charith Asalanka (44 off 26 balls), none of the batters managed to touch the 30-run mark.
For their stunning display, Indian bowlers, particularly vice-captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar, garnered rich praise from the cricket fraternity on Twitter.
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