Match Summary:
Surakumar Yadav Hits a Boundary Off 1st Ball As India Beat Sri Lanka In Super Over To Sweep Series 3-0
Washington Sundar Takes 2 Wickets For 2 Runs In Super Over. India Need 3 Runs To Win
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh turned into the heroes of the day as India snagged the third T20I in a thrilling Super Over, sweeping Sri Lanka 3-0 in the series.
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Chasing 138 on a challenging pitch, Sri Lanka looked set at 110 for 1 in 15.1 overs. But then, out of nowhere, they crumbled, losing seven wickets for just 27 runs, ending at 137 for 8.
India, riding high from the drama of the regular game, dominated the Super Over. Washington Sundar grabbed two wickets, giving away only two runs, and then Surya wrapped it up with a first-ball sweep shot.
Surya was on fire, defending six runs in the 20th over and snatching two wickets in his first two deliveries. Earlier, Rinku Singh, in his T20I bowling debut, took two key wickets, including Kusal Perera (46), when Sri Lanka needed only nine runs from 12 balls.
The 19th over was crucial, giving away just three runs, rekindling India's hopes after Khaleel Ahmed's costly 18th over with six wides. Despite strong performances from Kusal Mendis (43), Pathum Nissanka (26), and Perera (46), Sri Lanka couldn't close the deal.
Surya's first series as captain was a triumph, much to head coach Gautam Gambhir's delight. Rinku’s 19th-over magic, taking out Perera, was a game-changer.
Earlier in the game, Lankan spinners had Indian batters tangled on a spinning track, keeping them to 137 for 9. Matheesha Pathirana's injury added to Sri Lanka's problems, but skipper Charith Asalanka managed their spin attack well.
Shubman Gill (39 off 37) and Riyan Parag (26 off 18) built a crucial 54-run stand, rescuing India from 48 for 5. Despite some shaky shot choices, they managed to put up a defendable score.
Updates:
9.35 pm - Sri Lanka have managed to restrict India to 137/9 in 20 overs after electing to bowl first on a difficult pitch in Pallekele. Vice-captain Shubman Gill top-scored with 39 while Riyan Parag (26) and Washington Sundar (25) played important cameos to help the world champions recover after they collapsed to 48 for 5 before the half-way mark.
For the Lankans, Maheesh Theekshana took 3 wickets while Wanindu Hasaranga grabbed a couple of scalps.
9.15 pm - WICKET! Shubman Gill st Kusal Mendis b Hasaranga 39 (37 balls). India 102/6 in 15.2 ovs.
8.48 pm - WICKET! Shivam Dube c Kusal Mendis b Ramesh Mendis 13 (14 balls)
8.30 pm - WICKET! Suryakumar Yadav c Hasaranga b Asitha Fernando 8 (9 balls). India 30/4 (5.4 ovs)
8.20 pm - WICKET! Rinku Singh c Pathirana b Theekshana 1 (2 balls)
8.13 pm - WICKET! Sanju Samson c Hasaranga b Wickramasinghe 0 (4 balls)
8.09 pm - WICKET! Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw b Theekshana 10 (9 balls)
7.45 pm - Here are the Playing XIs of both teams
India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Sanju Samson(w), Shivam Dube, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Khaleel Ahmed
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka(c), Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando
7.40 pm - Charith Aasalanka wins the toss and opts to bowl first against Suryakumar Yadav's Team India. The Men in Blue have rested Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh for this dead-rubber clash in Pallekele. Khaleel Ahmed, Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar will play tonight.
7 pm - The toss will take place at 7.40 pm IST and the match will start at 8 pm without the loss of any overs.
6.45 pm - The covers are being removed one by one so the toss should take place soon if it doesn't rain any more. Remember, India have already won the series 2-0.
6.30 pm - The toss will be delayed by a few minutes as the ground in Pallekele is covered due to rain. It's not drizzling at the moment but the covers are still in place.
Match Preview
Team India is showing no signs of letting up as they gear up for the third and final T20I against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. With Gautam Gambhir as the new coach and Suryakumar Yadav as captain, they're ready to exploit Sri Lanka's weaknesses and aim for a series whitewash.
The series is already decided with India clinching the first two matches, putting Sri Lanka on the brink of an embarrassing clean sweep.
On Sunday, India secured a seven-wicket win in a rain-shortened second T20I, once again stopping Sri Lanka in their tracks. Despite a strong start from the hosts, their batting fell apart for the second game in a row.
Interestingly, on the same day, the Sri Lankan women's team pulled off an upset by beating tournament-favorites India to claim their first Women's T20 Asia Cup title in Dambulla. However, this victory didn't seem to inspire the men's team, which continued to struggle with the same old issues.
Sri Lanka's batting collapses in the middle overs have been their downfall in this series, while India has been playing like true champions.
Teams
India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj.
Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Binura Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Welalage.
