India’s Prithvi Shaw bagged a golden duck on his debut in the first game of the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday (July 25).
Shaw, who provided India with blistering starts in the ODI series, was dismissed by Dushmantha Chameera in the first delivery of the game but skipper Shikhar Dhawan isn’t reading too much into it and expects the young opener to bounce back in the second T20I.
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"Prithvi is playing really well and I am sure he will bounce back in the next game. It's very hard to pick Varun, even I find it difficult when I am facing him in the nets," Dhawan said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Defending the total of 164/5, Indian bowlers did a commendable job and bundled out the hosts for 126 in 18.3 overs, registering a comprehensive 38-run victory in the T20I series opener.
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.
Pandya brothers, Hardik (1-17) and Krunal (1-16), were also among the wickets in their two overs.
"Sri Lanka were playing well but we knew our spinners will get some turn. Yuzi and KP bowled really well. And even Varun, playing his first match," said Dhawan.
Earlier, the visitors posted 164/5 in 20 overs on the back of Suryakumar Yadav’s 34-ball 50 and captain 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.
"I thought we were 10-15 runs short but we felt it was still a good total. We played quite well after losing a wicket on the first ball. Getting to 50 in the powerplay was good," said Dhawan.
"I think only 5% scope of improvement. Surya is a great player and we enjoy watching him bat. He was taking pressure off me as well," he added.
The second T20I will also be played at the same venue on Tuesday (July 27).
(With ANI inputs)
