Suryakumar Yadav showcases his unrivaled dominance again in shortest form as India beat Sri Lanka
Post Date – 10:40 PM, Sat – 1/7/23
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Rajkot: Suryakumar Yadav once again showcased his unrivaled dominance in the shortest form with a 91-run victory over Sri Lanka in the third T20I match to seal a memorable series win on Saturday.
Surya made his bowlers’ job easier as he bowled an astounding 112 balls instead of 51 in his third T20I century and took India to 5 off 228.
He toyed the Sri Lankan bowlers throughout, hitting fours and tops at will in his trademark fashion, heading into his third century in that way.
The Indian bowlers then dominated as they beat Sri Lanka by 137 to clinch the series winner 2-1.
While the first two games were close, India dominated the tiebreaker with ball and bat, which was sure to boost the youngsters’ morale.
Chasing a stiff target, Pathum Nissanka (15) survived a first-ball appeal as he opted to check a leg before canceling Hardik Pandya’s delivery.
The two openers looked forward to a challenge as they shared a brisk 44-point stand. Although Nissanka hit a few fours from Arshdeep Singh (3/20) in the second innings, he hit consecutive sixes from Pandya in the next innings.
With the walkers running, Pandya introduced spin in the form of Axar Patel (1/19), the left-armed spinner taking the wicket of Kusal Mendis (23).
Arshdeep Singh then dismissed Nissanka in the next over, while Pandya got Avishka Fernando (1).
The tricky Yuzuvendra Chahal (2/30) was the next bowler to get a wicket in the form of Charith Asalanka (19) courtesy of Shivam Mavi, who ran from deep cover to his left with an excellent catch.
The ever-increasing required run rate plagued the visitors as they started hunting for Indian outfielders and dropping their wickets.
Umran Malik (2/31) again impressed with his raw pace, but India’s relationship with the extras continued as the bowlers bowled a no-ball and 11 wides, including Arshdeep’s four.
Earlier, after completing his 50 off 26 balls, Surya took just 19 bowls to reach 100. He finished the innings in style, striking Chamika Karunaratne (1/52) for 6 and 4 in the final over.
Shubman Gill (46), who failed to score more than single digits in his first two overs, was cautious to open the account after striking 9 and 6, before Dilshan Madushanka (2/55) hit 4 in the third Exceed.
Rahul Triptahi hit 35 off 16 balls after Ishan Kishan (1) was sent off in the first over.
Once the spin was introduced, Tripathi took aim at Mahesh Theekshana (0/48) as he scored three fours in the fifth. He took the first ball off the square leg, hit the second ball to the penalty spot, and hit the third ball in the middle.
Tripathi played the aggressor, hitting Karunaratne (1/52) for a double-six before being hit in the short ball and on a short three.
India conceded two wickets in a power play to take 53, while Gill continued to score at a slow pace, while Surya was effortlessly at his best.
The world’s No. 1 hitter looks like someone from another planet. By passing the ball to the boundary, he achieved his half-century.
With Surya firing, Gill also tried to up the ante on the other end. He struck Wanindu Hasaranga (1/36) for six, but a broken leg gave him the better end of a 111-run partnership as the batsman moved the ball down the wicket to another boundary Partnerships.
Gill’s wickets saw a change in momentum as India lost back-to-back skipper Hardik Pandya (4) and all-rounder Deepak Hooda (4).
Surya, meanwhile, kept timing the ball to perfection, as always. He hit nine sixes and seven fours in his fiery strikes.
Towards the end, he found an able ally in Axar Patel (21, not out) as the pair led India past 220.
