After opting to bat first in the series decider, India led by Hardik Pandya posted a whopping 228 for 5 riding on Suryakumar’s batting masterclass and the goal was too much for the visitors, who were grouped for 137 in 16.4 overs.
As it happened: India vs Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I
Sri Lanka got off to a good start, adding 44 runs without a loss in five overs, but three wickets in three overs derailed their early innings chase as they were reduced to 51 for 3 in 6.1 overs from 44 for 0 in 4.4 overs. After that they continued to lose wickets at regular intervals and were consolidated in 17 overs.
Arshdeep Singh (3/20) won three Sri Lankan wickets for India, while Hardik (2/30), Yuzvendra Chahal (2/30) and Omran Malik (2/31) scalped two wickets each. Axar Patel (1/19) also put his name in the list of wicket takers.
Arshdeep Singh takes the last wicket of the innings as #TeamIndia wins by 91 runs and wins the series 2-1.Th… https://t.co/1JSx0NS8xb
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1673110349000
Suryakumar bowled with Sri Lankan bowlers throughout, hitting fours and maximums at will and in his trademark fashion all over the pitch to mark his third century in the format.
While the first two matches were neck and neck, India dominated the proceedings with ball and bat in the deciding game which is sure to lift the spirits of the youngsters.
No surprises there as @surya_14kumar is voted Player of the Match for his scintillating unbeaten century in the… https://t.co/3DHPZJiQDq
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Chasing the steep target, Pathum Nissanka (15) survived a first-ball call opting to review a leg before calling off a Hardik delivery.
Both openers looked for the challenge as they shared a quick 44-point stand. While Nissanka hit Arshdeep for some fours in the second, he slammed a straight six against Hardik the next over.
As the point guards went for a run, Hardik introduced the spin in the form of Axar and the left arm spinner took the wicket from Kusal Mendis (23).
Arshdeep then pushed Nissanka aside in the next round while Hardik picked up Avishka Fernando (1).
Crafty Chahal was the next bowler to claim a wicket in the form of Charith Asalanka (19) courtesy Shivam Maviwho ran to his left from deep cover to complete a great catch.
The ever-increasing required run rate troubled the visitors as they began to find Indian outfielders and give away their wickets.
Umran again impressed with his raw pace but India’s affair with extras continued as the bowlers bowled a clean ball and 11 wide, including four by Arshdeep.
Earlier, after finishing his fifty in 26 balls, Surya only took 19 deliveries to reach the 100 point mark. He finished the sets in style, hitting a six and a four against Chamika Karunaratne (1/52) in the final over.
Shubman Gill (46), who failed to break single-digit scores in the previous two games, was cautious in opening his account after playing nine points with a six, followed by a four against Dilshan Madushanka (2 /55) to the third.
Rahul Triptahi played a 16-for-35 run after Ishan Kishan (1) was dropped in the first round.
As soon as the spin was introduced, Tripathi targeted Mahesh Theekshana (0/48) as he collected three fours from the fifth. He recovered the first on the square leg, played the second to the point and hit the third in the middle.
Tripathi took on the aggressor role as he hit Karunaratne (1/52) for a twin six before perishing on a short ball, caught on third court.
India collected 53 runs for the loss of two wickets on the power play and while Gill continued to score at a slow pace, Surya was at his effortless best.
The world number one hitter in the format looked like a man from another planet. He reached his half-century by sending the ball to the limits.
With Surya’s shot, Gill also tried to up the ante on the other end. He hits Wanindu Hasaranga (1/36) for a six but as the batter came down the wicket to ship the ball to another boundary, a broken leg got the better of him to end a 111 run partnership.
Gill’s wicket saw a change in momentum as India lost skipper Hardik Pandya (4) and the versatile Deepak Hooda (4) in quick succession.
Meanwhile, it was business as usual for Surya as he repeatedly timed the ball to perfection. He hit nine sixes and seven fours in his searing shot.
Towards the end, he found a capable ally in Axar Patel (21st not knocked out) as the duo took India above the 220-point mark.
(With PTI entries)
