Tuesday, July 30, saw the start of the series’ final T20I match between Sri Lanka (SL) and Team India (IND) in Pallekele in Kandy. In conditions clouded by rain, the hosts elected to go out to bat first after winning the toss.
The newly elected Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka’s decision was well-founded because the country’s bowlers were quite effective throughout the first innings’ powerplay phase. Interestingly, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for 10 runs after failing to get going. Furthermore, a number of important top-order batters were removed quickly after. During the entire T20I series, Sanju Samson failed to open his run account and ended up losing with another duck in his account, adding to his terrible patch.
When the top order fails, Shubman Gill-Riyan Parag and the lower tail step in to save the day.
With scores of 48/5 after 8.4 overs, half of the Indian team returned to the hut as a result. Still, India managed to surpass 100 runs with to some smart hitting from comeback man Shubman Gill (39 off 37 balls) and Riyan Parag (26 off 18 balls).
The pair salvaged a vital 54-run partnership for the sixth wicket, pulling Team India out of a tight spot. On a wicket that was greatly helping the spinners, India managed to score 137/9 thanks to the final push supplied by Washington Sundar (25 off 18 balls) and Ravi Bishnoi (8 off 8 balls).
India recovers in the last over as Sri Lanka falters following a strong start
During his bowling spell, Maheesh Theekshana got three wickets (3/28), making him the standout performer for the Lankan side. In response, Sri Lanka proceeded with caution as openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis began scoring quickly following an early vigil. They reached 50 runs in the ninth over and continued to move the scoreboard forward. But India finally made a significant breakthrough in the tenth over thanks to a strike from leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi.
Bishnoi didn’t give up on getting a wicket, and towards the end of the game, he struck once more to give the Men in Blue a chance after Mendis (43 off 21 balls) was removed. Kusal Perera (46 off 34 balls), on the other end, was a useful partner.
However, just when the hosts thought they had it all figured out, Washington Sundar struck twice in one night, eliminating both Wanindu Hasaranga and captain Charith Asalanka. Additionally, in a shocking turn of events, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav initially gave the ball to Rinku Singh, who not only ended Perera’s extended stay at the crease but also got rid of Ramesh Mendis. Then, in the last over, Singh took a blind chance and came on in an unexpected move that almost resulted in a hattrick.
The Kandy Super Over drama transpired.
As a result, Sri Lanka lost the game in the penultimate moments after having a strong start. The hosts needed three runs to win, but they managed to score two off the final ball, so there was still drama ahead. This sent the game into a Super Over.
In the Super Over, hosts Sri Lanka went first, and India’s Washington Sundar, a wily off-spinner, took up the bowling duties. Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka were removed by him on the fourth and fifth balls, respectively, after his outstanding start. This implied that three runs would be all the Men in Blue needed to win the game.
Also Read: Twitter Reactions: Users respond to Sanju Samson bagging consecutive ducks
Shubman Gill, the first player, and Captain Suryakumar Yadav left the pitch during the run chase. But the latter had other ideas, and as Team India won the final T20I in the Super Over to end the series 3-0, Yadav smashed a four on the first ball itself, causing the Lankan Lions to blink.
Meanwhile, here’s how the fans reacted to Sri Lanka vs India nailbiter:
After an emphatic performance from India they restricted Sri Lanka to 137 runs which resulted in a Tie and then they won the game in the Super Over 🏏🙌 #SLvIND #Sportify pic.twitter.com/tj4nRg5lUB
— Sportify (@Sportify777) July 30, 2024
सुपर ओवर में भारत विजयी रहा और श्रीलंका को 3-0 से हराकर सीरीज अपने नाम कर ली. #SLvIND #सुपरओवर pic.twitter.com/GGPLeneBU1
— Kamal Singh bhaniyana (@BhaniyanaC) July 30, 2024
SKY gets it done in one in the Super Over! 🫡
A clean sweep in the T20Is.
Next odi …….#AavaDe I #SLvIND#superover #rinkusingh #SuryakumarYadav #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/gVqjqaXrpa
— Surekha (@SK29_M) July 30, 2024
Congratulations surya and gambhir for winning the maiden series.🙌❤️#SLvIND
— Anurag Pandey🇮🇳 (@AnuragP52225) July 30, 2024
GG Era 💀🫵🏻#SLvIND pic.twitter.com/HBjsOXqOOf
— ` (@achha_ladka_) July 30, 2024
India wins 3rd T20I Match, SuryaKumar yadav What a brilliant captaincy #SLvIND
— Syed Salman (@SyedSalman564) July 30, 2024
India is the only team to win a straight 9 bilateral series ..
Dominance in the bilateral series continues #SLvIND— @Thunder (@Thunderxxxxxx) July 30, 2024
Forgot that it was #SLvIND tonight. Tuned in at Lankans needing 30 odd with I guess 8 wkts in hand. Switched the tab to watch something else. Tuned in to check the score rn & was SHOCKED. Rinku and Surya defended 9 off the last 2 overs. Damn. Now, waiting for the highlights.
— Udit (@u_followedby_d) July 30, 2024
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