Combined best XI from the Sri Lanka vs India T20I series

Sri Lanka won the T20I series 2-1.

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Sri Lanka. (Photo Source: Twitter)

India’s tour to Sri Lanka has finally come to an end. It is safe to say that it lived up to the hype. After a close ODI series between the two Asian sides, fans got to witness another exciting T20I series between the two teams. While India were expected to win the T20I series just like they won the ODI series, that wasn’t the case. Sri Lanka finally managed to beat India in a bilateral series as they went on to clinch the series 2-1.

There were several players from both sides who made a mark. Despite a few big names not living up to their expectations, fans saw a lot of relatively fresh faces who impressed one and all. Hence, let’s take a look at-

Best XI from Sri Lanka vs India T20Is

1) Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Shikhar Dhawan has set some really high standards. Despite being far from his best, he ensured that he ends up scoring the most number of runs in this T20I series. The Indian opener scored 86 runs in this series.

He scored these runs at an average of 28.67. While this might not have been the Delhi opener’s best performance, he still looked good in patches. He scored two 40+ scores as well.

Dhawan’s strike rate was on the lower side as he had to bat sensibly and didn’t have the license to go big from ball one. This was due to the fact that India had a really long tail. The Indian skipper for this tour also scored the most number of boundaries by any batsman in this T20I series (9).

2) Minod Bhanuka (WK):

Minod Bhanuka
Minod Bhanuka. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Minod Bhanuka was one of the most impressive Sri Lankans in this series. He looked positive whenever he came to open the innings for Sri Lanka. The Lankan keeper scored 64 runs in the three T20I matches.

He had an average of 21.33. Despite a not-so-good-looking average in this series, he scored the third most number of runs in this series. His best performance came in the second T20I where he managed to score 36 of 31 balls in a tricky chase.

Not only his batting but his keeping skills were also impressive. He took the most number of catches in this series (4) as well as the most number of dismissals by a wicketkeeper. Thus, Bhanuka is a player to watch out for.

3) Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Talk about impact! Suryakumar Yadav finds a place in this XI despite playing just one match in this series. It is safe to say that SKY has become one of the most impactful Indian players of late. He was India’s best batsman in the one match he played as well.

The Mumbai Indians player managed to score a sensational 50 in just 34 balls. This included 5 boundaries and 2 sixes. At the end of the match, it was this knock which proved to be the difference between the two sides as Sri Lanka fell short of 38 runs while chasing India’s 164.

This knock remained the highest score by an individual in this series as well. It was a pity that fans didn’t get to watch him bat in the last 2 T20Is. Nevertheless, SKY is now one of the most exciting Indian players to watch.

4) Dhananjaya de Silva

Dhananjaya de Silva
Dhananjaya de Silva. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Dhananjaya showed a lot of maturity in this series. As he was one of the experienced players on the Sri Lankan side, he took the responsibility of batting till the end. He was superb in the entire T20I series, to say the least.

The Lankan all-rounder ended up scoring the second most number of runs in the series. He scored 72 runs in the three T20I games. He scored these runs at an average of 72. This meant that he had the highest batting average by any batsman in this series.

He was at his best in the second T20I when he played the role of an anchor. The middle-order batsman scored 40 in 34 deliveries as he guided his team to a victory. He again scored 23 in 20 deliveries in the final T20I and remained not out till the end.

5) Dasun Shanaka (C)

Wanindu Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka
Wanindu Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Dasun Shanaka would be a proud captain! After giving a tough fight in the ODI series, he ensured that his team wins the T20I series. He himself had a major contribution to this series victory.

While he was ordinary with the bat and scored just 19 runs in 2 innings, it was his impact with the ball that made the difference. He managed to pick 3 wickets in just the seven overs in which he bowled in the series. This included two wickets in the final game.

His economy rate was on the lower side as it was below 6. It was confusing as to why he didn’t bowl himself more often. His captaincy was good throughout the three T20I games too.

6) Wanidu Hasaranga

Wanindu Hasaranga bowling
Wanindu Hasaranga bowling. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Unarguably the best performer of the series, Wanidu Hasaranga has been absolutely sensational of late. He was a menace for India throughout the series. He is the second-ranked T20I bowler in the world for a reason.

The Lankan all-rounder picked the most number of wickets in this series as he went on to pick 7 wickets in just the 3 games. This included an amazing 4-for in the final T20I. His bowling average in the series was just 9.57.

To add to his bowling, he scored a quickfire 15 with the bat in the second T20I which shifted the momentum towards Sri Lanka. Thus, Hasaranga was rightly adjudged as the “Player of The Series”. It is safe to say that he is probably one of the future superstars of the shorter versions of the game.

7) Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been one of the most improved Indian bowlers of late. Despite his injuries, the Indian seamer has always given his best whenever he has played. He was one of India’s better players in this series as well.

The Indian vice-captain of this tour to Sri Lanka also managed to pick the most number of wickets for India in this series. He picked 7 wickets at an average of 10.40. This included a match-winning 4-wicket haul in the first T20I.

He picked up three out of those four wickets in the death overs. He was economical in all the three T20Is as well. Thus, Bhuvi was one of the positives for India from this series.

8) Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Kuldeep Yadav hasn’t been at his best of late. It wasn’t even certain if he’d get a game in this series. However, the left-arm Chinaman proved that he isn’t finished and still has it in him.

The spinner picked 2 wickets in 2 games. He looked threatening in the second T20I as the opposition batsmen struggled to pick him. If he had got more support from his fielders then he would’ve definitely got a few more wickets.

More than his performance, it was his body language that impressed one and all. The intent which was missing in the last 12 months seems to have returned. It will be interesting to see if Kuldeep can get his lost mojo back in the near future.

9) Rahul Chahar

Rahul Chahar
Rahul Chahar. (Photo Source: Twitter/BCCI)

The younger Chahar sibling was impressive, to say the least. He troubled the opposition batsmen whenever he bowled. Barring Hasaranga, no other spinner picked more wickets than him in this T20I series.

The leggie picked 4 wickets in just the two games. This included a 3-for in the final T20I when he was the only Indian who entered the wickets column in the game. He was miserly too as he gave away just 42 runs in the 8 overs in both the T20Is combined.

India has a knack for producing good spinners and they have managed to get another impressive spinner at their disposal. Chahar has a long way to go but he has had an amazing start to his career. Thus, fans are definitely going to see more of Rahul Chahar in Blues.

10) Akila Dananjaya

Akila Dananjaya
Akila Dananjaya. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Akila Dananjaya has been one of the most promising Sri Lankan cricketers for quite a while now. Despite being inconsistent of late, he had a pretty good series this time around. He was below average in the first T20I though.

Post that, he ensured no one remembers that performance as he went on to perform well in the last two T20Is. He picked two wickets in the second T20I. This included the crucial wickets of the Indian skipper Shikhar Dhawan as well as Sanju Samson.

Although he didn’t pick any wickets in the final T20I, he was economical. He gave just 11 runs in 4 overs. Thus, Akila’s return to form is a huge boost to Sri Lanka.

11) Dushmantha Chameera

Dushmantha Chameera
Dushmantha Chameera. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Chameera has been one of the better Lankan pacers for quite a while now. The pace at which he bowls is commendable, to say the least. He has a few variations at his disposal as well.

Such skills are an asset in the shortest format of the game. Thus, Chameera proved to be a boon to Shanaka. The Lankan pacer picked 3 wickets in 3 games at an average of 15.75.

The best part about Chameera in this series was his economy rate. One knows how economical he was in this series when his economy in his most expensive spell was just 6. He was superb at the death as well.

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