Sri Lanka vs India Match Preview, 2nd T20I

The first T20I between India and Sri Lanka turned out to be a riveting affair. Another intense clash can be expected when the two teams lock horns on Sunday, July 28, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele in the second encounter.

The Men in Blue picked up a comfortable 43-run win in the first T20I but they were put under tremendous pressure at one point when Pathum Nissanka was breathing fire with the bat as Sri Lanka chased a mammoth 214-run target.

The opening pair of Nissanka and Kusal Mendis got the home side off to a flying start as they added 84 runs inside nine overs. After Kusal departed for a 27-ball 45, Nissanka added 56 runs off 33 balls with Kusal Perera.

At the end of the 14th over, Sri Lanka needed 74 runs with nine wickets in the bank and two set batters at the crease. However, Axar Patel dismissed both Nissanka and Perera in the 15th over as India found a ray of hope.

However, they would not have envisaged how things transpired from there on and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 170 with four balls left to play.

Also Read: 'We were fortunate that there was no dew' - Suryakumar Yadav after India’s victory over Sri Lanka in first T20I

To put things into context, the last nine Sri Lankan wickets fell for just 30 runs. Riyan Parag bagged a three-for, while Axar and Arshdeep Singh accounted for two wickets each. Ravi Bishnoi and Mohammed Siraj, on the other hand, picked up one wicket each to give India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

In the first innings, India openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (40) and Shubman Gill (36) added 74 runs in the powerplay. However, both of them departed off consecutive deliveries as Sri Lanka came back into the game strongly.

However, Suryakumar Yadav played a blinder of a knock in his first game as India’s full-time T20I captain as he finished on 58 off 26 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. Pant also chipped in with 49 off 33 balls after struggling in the initial phase of his innings. For Sri Lanka, Matheesha Pathirana was the star of the show as he bagged a four-for.

Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report

The first T20I was played on a fantastic surface which provided an even bounce and the ball came onto the bat nicely. A similar surface is expected to greet the two teams on Sunday. Bowlers will have their task cut out in that case as the margin for error is going to be minimal. The powerplay overs are going to be crucial for both teams when they are batting.

Also Read: SL vs IND: Umpires correct 2019 World Cup final-like mistake in opening T20I at Pallekele

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