Quick guide:
India v Sri Lanka – 1st T20I
The first instalment of the three-match T20I(s) was played on 25th July at the solitary stadium for the touring side. With 80-odd days to mix and match their players, Sri Lankan and Indian sides faced each other in, what fans expect to be, an exciting match-up. With the world cup arriving in a matter of months and the resumption of fan-favorite IPL, there is a lot for fans to trace in Indian side featuring in the shortest format.
Indian luck in the toss seems to be consistent and the home side got the coin to land in their favour. Lankans took the route to chase with people waiting for the “Shaw” exhibition to flash boundaries in the exotic powerplay. The nature of 120-balls contest gives a fair share of chances to both sides. They can seize their moments and the seesaw begins.
Match Summary
1st Innings
Chameera has had the attention of watchers from his outing on the English soil. While he was fine in moments in ODI series, the first ball of the match was peach of a delivery. Shaw had no replies to the swing and a fluent edge went straight to the Lankan keeper. His skipper from Delhi Capitals did the usual staying and held one end of the batting side together.
Shikhar Dhawan fell short of a half-century by four runs with Samson coming in at number 3. Samson had few picturesque shots before he was dismissed off a very full delivery from Hasaranga. Dhawan got the heat on Dhananjay before he was sent back packing by Karunaratne.
Suryakumar came in next and was at the best of his T20 game. He was there to improvise and the sweeps off a pacer signaled his intent to go all in. Hasaranga deceived him in air with SKY lofting a half-hearted ball to the long-off.
Pandya saw a yorker at the death and his affection for Dhoni was evident. The results were, however, different and he caught behind. Kishan came in handy at the end with two boundaries. Indian side scored a decent 164 which was settling for the Indian eyes seasoned with extravaganza in IPL.
2nd Innings
The new Lankan aggression came in the show with Bhanuka and Fernando. The latter got the start and Bhuvneshwar got his touch with the ball. It was only Charith Asalanka that got going for his side and his stay at the crease gave hope.
He was departed off Chahar and it is fair to say that Indian bowling proved its efficacy as a complete unit. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the pick of the bowler for the Indian line-up and got 4 wickets. Chahar, on the other hand, had few catches dropped but came back with 2 wickets by his name. Of all 6 bowlers opted by Dhawan, all of them got wickets in their tally.
The pitch was lively and assisted spin. Chahal was back in the turns and had his moment in the game. The signs for Indian bowling unit, missing Bumrah and other faces, were positive to say the least. Lanka, on the other hand, had their common issues to tackle. Batsman getting starts and not converting them, the lack of experience was eminent and evident as well.
India will look to have all the members of the touring party into the mix and Lanka will look to establish themselves. There are no harsh feelings with Sri Lanka when people realize how the team has fallen off the cliff in the recent past. irregularity of the playing side and the faded personalities are showcased in moments.
Lanka should look to encash the matches as the T20 world cup will be a big platform for them to script a cinematic revival into the cricketing sphere.
Key Takeaways
- You have the ability to change the game. Believing in yourself and your team even when the pressure is high, helps to make a comeback as a group.
- Leadership is not about how many talented team-members you have but how well you are using the resources you have and brining out the best in everyone.
- Somedays, some individuals may have a tough day on ground, but that does not mean they are no good to the team. Patience and trust in them, helps them push themselves towards the light and comeback stronger.
- Your opponents will come prepared to put you under pressure, your job is to stay composed, not give into to it and challenge yourself to give your best!
~ Shubham Sharma (Guest Author), Urvi Shah (Author)
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