An exhausted Indian team, playing with just five hitters, we’re unable to defend a modest goal of 133 despite brave efforts from their players as Sri Lanka maintained a three-game streak with a four-goal win. Won the second T20 International in Colombo on Wednesday.
With nine players absent after Krunal Pandya tested positive, India had no choice but to play with six professional pitchers, including pitcher Navdeep Saini, who Didn't even get a table.
Dhananjaya de Silva (40 not disqualified) attempted a tough Lankan pursuit after India scored 132 for the year. The home team won with two spare balls.
Vice-captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/21 in 4 rounds) saved until Chamika Karunartne threw her full-toss for six. The 12 points from there bring the equation down to the last 8 points, which is very difficult for newcomer Chetan Sakariya to defend.
If a pitcher despite a 2/30 stat would be upset, it's Kuldeep, who was brilliant but was beaten by his hitters, who dropped a few catches. A few mediocre efforts off the field also ruined his figure.
Yadav beat opposing captain Dasun Shanaka by shortening his delivery time to transform into a right-winger pulling him down and Sanju Samson swayed a smart stumble.
Minod Bhanuka (36 of 31 balls) also attempted a messy serve outside the area and dove into the deep midwicket shortly after Bhuvneshwar dropped a ball while running in the opposite direction as he missed a The result reverses the turn in the coverage area.
Varun Chakravarthy (1/18 out of 4 passes) was also impressive but the total score turned out to be their loss. Earlier, India struggled to gain momentum against the Sri Lankan spinners on the slow track, scoring 132 points to 5.
Newbie Devdutt Padikkal, however, in his short innings gave to see a bright future.
The level of difficulty can be judged by the fact that only seven limits and six are touched in 20 rounds with up to 42 balls consumed by the away team's shots.
Skipper Shikhar Dhawan (40 of 2 balls) was aware a seasoned team Thinon took a cautious approach on a track where the ball wouldn't hit the club and improvisation was on the agenda.
As heavy rain slowed the pitch, the race became challenging, but young Padikkal (29 out of 23) was as elegant as ever before a bit of carelessness sent him into the net.
Ruturaj Gaikwad's other highly anticipated debut (21 of 18 balls) also ended in groans as a short ball from Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka climbed over him and he got tangled in the air. while making a direct shot for Minod Chanuka.
Knowing there were only five tennis players playing the ball that day, Dhawan had to cut back on risky shots despite a drive, drive, and square-behind tagline there among his five feet first. when gunman Dananjaya de Silva (2/3) played.
But the man who made the biggest impression was Padikkal, who beat Dhanajaya de Silva by six, running well between his 32-point stands against captain Dhawan and a short one against Sanju Samson.
He also knocks out Wanindu Hasaranga (1/30) for a borderline before a non-existent slog-sweep knocks him down. Some of his shots did not hit the mark, but the boy from Bengaluru showed he had the temperament for the highest level.
But the player who missed the chances again was Sanju Samson (7 of 13 tackles). He was covered by a broken leg from Akila Dananjaya (February 29) and was upset.
Samson has now missed nine chances at the T20 Internationals and he's unlikely to have much more after Thursday's final game.