Ind v SL 3rd T20I Review: R Ashwin rocks Sri Lanka, India win the series 2-1

Ravichandran Ashwin picked up the best bowling figures by an Indian in T20Is as India coasted to a 9-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the 3rd and the final T20I of the series. The Indians also win the series 2-1 which is their first ever bilateral series win at home. India will now be looking to carry the form into the upcoming Asia Cup T20.

MS Dhoni won the toss for the first time in the series and opted to field first. Realizing the purchase the track was capable of producing, Dhoni handed the new ball to Ashwin. The move proved to be a masterstroke as Ashwin picked up 2 wickets in his very first over. He first foxed Niroshan Dickwella with the carrom ball before trapping veteran Tillakaratne Dilshan leg before. Skipper Dinesh Chandimal fell soon after as he sliced a slower delivery from Ashwin only for the safe hands of Hardik Pandya to complete the catch. Gurunaratne too was dismissed soon after as Suresh Raina caught him at leg slip though the decision drew a lot of flak over the standard of umpiring, more importantly, Sri Lanka lost a wicket.

R Ashwin was partnered by Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina during his impressive 3 over spell. Raina too got in on the act, picking up the wickets of Thiara Perera and Sachitra Senanayake. Jadeja impressed with both his fielding and bowling as he removed Prasanna with a brilliant run out before cleaning up Shanaka. Seamers Jasprit Bumrah and Ashish Nehra picked up two wickets between them. Bumrah cleaned up the Sri Lankan innings as his yorker brought about the end of Dilhara Fernando’s stay. 7 wickets were claimed by the spinners as the Sri Lankans were blasted out for a paltry 82 off 18 overs.

The Indian innings began with caution. After finding their feet, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan began to play their shots, bringing joy to one and all present. Rohit though lost his wicket with the score at 29 as he was trapped leg-before by Chameera, Shikhar Dhawan kept going.

Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane continued the good work en route to the total. Dinesh Chandimal succeeded in stemming the flow of runs as he introduced spin. Sachitra Senanayake was impressive as he conceded just 22 runs in his 4 overs. A few calculated risks from Shikhar Dhawan (46) and Ajinka Rahane (22) ensured that the Indians staggered to the total of 83 in just 13.5 overs.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka – 82 all out in 18 overs (Shanaka 19; R Ashwin 4/8)

India –  84/1 in 13.5 overs (Dhawan 46*; Chameera 1/14)

India win the match by 9 wickets

Man of the match: R Ashwin

Man of the Series: R Ashwin

How did Twitter react to India’s series win? – Twitter Reactions: A thumping 9-wicket win and India take the series 2-1