Kusal Perera smashed 71 off 37 deliveries as Sri Lanka fought hard to chase down the target of 261 set for them by India in the 2nd T20I in Indore. The visitors ultimately fell short by 88 runs. Rohit Sharma smashed 118 off just 43 deliveries as India posted 260/5 in 20 overs to put the 3 match T20I series to bed.
The Indian openers Sharma and KL Rahul put on a show with the bat on a ground where the shortest boundary measured just 57m. The pair put on 165 for the 1st wicket despite getting just 26 off the 1st 4 overs. The 5th over from Nuwan Pradeep went for 17 and India did not look back from then, smashing the ball into the crowd regularly.
Sharma was brutal in particular, going from 50 to 100 in just 12 deliveries to equal the record for the fastest T20I century (35 balls). At one point even 200 seemed a possibility for Sharma as he creamed every bowler who came into his path over the ropes. He was finally dismissed when he was beaten by a clever piece of bowling from Dushmantha Chameera.
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Sri Lanka’s woes were made worse when their most economical bowler Angelo Mathews pulled up in the middle of his 3rd over with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. The all-rounder did not come out to bat and will almost certainly miss the final T20I on Christmas eve.
Once Sharma was dismissed Rahul carried on to make an excellent 89 while MS Dhoni, pushed up to no.3, chipped in to 28. At one point India looked to be well on their way to breaking the record for the highest total in T20I cricket (263) but a few quick wickets at the death forced them to settle for 260. Interestingly, Sri Lanka feature in the top 3 highest totals in T20I cricket, having been taken for 263 by Australia, 260 by India and having scored 260 against Kenya.
Chasing a mammoth 261 for a win, Sri Lanka were given no chance but managed to stay somewhat in the game, making 61 off the 1st 6 overs, with Niroshan Dickwella making the most of the powerplay to score 25 off 19. He fell to Jaydev Unadkat once again but the good work was carried forward by Upul Tharanaga and Kusal Janith Perera who put on 109 in just under 9 overs.
Hamstring injury rules Angelo Mathews out of final T20I
In fact, the way Perera in particular was striking the ball, the Indian target was briefly under threat but the dismissal of Tharanga in the 14th over saw the team collapse once again. Chahal picked up Tharanaga and then followed it up with three more wickets while Kuldeep Yadav picked up 3 wickets in the next over to deliver the killer blow.
Both Chahal and Yadav had gone for plenty as Perera and Tharanga found the boundary on a regular basis but came back strongly as India stormed to a comfortable win ultimately.
Sri Lanka’s batting line-up was dismal with just the top 3 registering double figures.
The 3rd and final T20I will be played at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday 24th December.
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