It’s all square in the T20I series as Sri Lanka resist late Indian resurgence

They say fortune favours the brave and in one such incident of blowing life to this age-old maxim, Dasun Shanaka, the Sri Lankan skipper dished out a gilt-edged final over to put an end to a rollicking thriller that kept on oscillating till that final jiffy eventually to witness India's late resurgence ebbing away to dust.

In a must-win match for the visitors, Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to field first, hoping to put the demons of the pitch to good use. Much to India's surprise, it was Sri Lanka who started on an assertive note, pushing back the hosts into a cautious retreat.

Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis fired on all cylinders as the Indian bowlers fumbled. The opening duo of the visitors posted a scintillating display propelling Sri Lanka to a sublime 80 before India could apply the brakes. The fine start from the Lankans fizzled into precarious oblivion as Axar Patel and Umran Malik put in a staunch shift to reduce Sri Lanka to a whimpering 138 for the loss of 6.

Despite India's warring comeback, the Lankan skipper had other plans brewing in his mind as he stepped on the accelerator, undaunted by the consequences and found himself breezing past the Indian bowlers. A rampant 56 from 22 balls from Dasun Shanaka catapulted Sri Lanka to a momentous 206, leaving India with a mountain to scale.

The Indian openers did very little to dissuade initial fears as Kasun Rajitha and Dilshan Madushanka struck in quick succession to leave India rattled. The opening trio of Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill and Rahul Tripathi could hardly chime in with any resistance at all as India started wobbling early.

Hardik Pandya looked off his element too as he could barely add 12 runs while Deepak Hooda came and went, forcing India to stare into a dead and cold void where Surya held the mantle almost single-handedly. It was the arrival of Axar Patel that heralded good omen for the Indians as the partnership of SKY and Axar helped India fight back and from 57 for 5, as they surged to 148 for 6 before the hard-hitting Surya returned for a well-constructed 51 from just 36 balls.

What felt like the end of the road for India was given a major uplift through the unexpected likes of Shivam Mavi who decided to go hammer and tongs at the Sri Lankan bowlers, making them pay for their indecision. Despite Mavi’s staggering rebellion at the end, Axar Patel couldn’t capitalise on the newly acquired momentum considering the ginormous task that was to be completed in the final over. After a pulsating encounter at the MCA Stadium, India had to be content with a redoubtable effort that didn’t cross the finish line. 

India’s next pit stop will be in Saurashtra as a grand series-finale awaits us all with everything at stake and a resurgent Sri Lanka hopeful of shocking the Men in blue in their own den.