Colombo, July 29: In a dominant display, India defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second T20I of their series, securing their first series win under the leadership of new head coach Gautam Gambhir and full-time T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav.The match, held in Pallekele, was heavily impacted by rain, leading to a reduced target of 78 runs from eight overs. Despite the challenging conditions, India chased down the target with ease in just 6.3 overs. Suryakumar Yadav, replacing Sanju Samson who was dismissed for a golden duck, led the charge with a brisk 26 off 12 balls. His partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 30 off 15, was pivotal, amassing 39 runs for the second wicket in just 19 balls.
Hardik Pandya provided a fitting finish to the game, scoring an unbeaten 22 off 9 balls. His explosive performance ensured a comfortable victory for India, clinching the series win with one match still to play.
Earlier, Sri Lanka had set a target of 161 runs, with Kusal Perera scoring a half-century and contributing 50 runs. However, India’s bowlers, particularly Hardik Pandya and Ravi Bishnoi, effectively contained the Sri Lankan batsmen in the death overs. Arshdeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi played crucial roles, dismissing key batsmen like Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka.
The match was initially delayed by 50 minutes due to rain, with the start time pushed from 7pm IST to 7:45pm IST. Shubman Gill’s absence due to injury saw Sanju Samson stepping in, although he did not make an impact.
India’s victory in this match marks a significant milestone, showcasing their strength and adaptability in the T20 format. The team now looks forward to continuing their momentum into the final game of the series.