On Sunday, India defeated Sri Lanka by 38 runs in the opening T20I in Colombo, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the standout performer for India, taking four wickets and allowing just 22 runs in 3.3 overs. Bhuvneshwar was also named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance on the pitch. Deepak Chahar took two wickets, while the rest of the Indian bowlers each took one wicket. Charith Asalanka was Sri Lanka’s leading scorer.
He hit three fours and as many sixes in a quickfire 44 from just 26 balls. Sri Lankan bowlers had previously restricted India to a respectable 164-run total in the first innings. Suryakumar Yadav’s second T20I fifty aided India’s innings acceleration in the middle overs. The second T20I between the two teams will take place on July 27 at the same venue.
When Prithvi Shaw won his T20I cap for the series opener against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday, he was all grins. But his joy was short-lived as he was dismissed for a golden duck in his first-ever match for India in the shortest format.
The Mumbai batsman was the centre of attention, especially following his ODI performance. When he came out with his partner and skipper Shikhar Dhawan to face the Lankan attack on Sunday, however, luck was not on his side.
For the hosts, Dushmantha Chameera started with a fuller delivery that was swinging away from the off-stump. Prithvi Shaw couldn’t help himself and pursued it down with heavy hands, only to nudge it towards wicketkeeper Minod Bhanuka’s right. The catch was flawless, and Prithvi was forced to return to the dugout with a heavy heart.
Sri Lanka had won the toss and elected to bowl. Varun Chakravarthy, a leg-spinner, was also given his first cap, alongside Prithvi Shaw. Isuru Udana returns to the Sri Lankan team, while Chamika Karunaratne and Charith Asalanka make their T20 debuts.
