India v Sri Lanka 3rd T20I - 5 Talking Points

India registered a comprehensive victory over Sri Lanka to pocket the three-match series. The Indian batsmen faced no problem in chasing down the small total of 83 runs to win. The win helps India retain their No. 1 position in ICC T20 rankings as well. Shikhar Dhawan remained unbeaten on 46 while Ajinkya Rahane was unbeaten on 22 as India chased down the required runs in just 13.5 overs with 9 wickets to spare. It is India’s second straight T20 series win after they beat Australia in Australia 3-0 last month. Going into the World T20, it is great confidence booster. But the credit for this dominating victory should go to Ravichandran Ashwin who single-handedly demolished the Sri Lankan top-order finishing with amazing figures of 4 for 8 which is the best bowling figures for India in T20 internationals.

1.Ravichandran Ashwin wrecks Sri Lanka:

Ravichandran Ashwin was the hero for Indian today after he bowled a spectacular spell of spin bowling, finishing with numbers of 4/8. He single-handedly toppled the Lankan top order and paralyzed their batting order which folded for just 82 runs in the end. Ashwin was handed the new ball by MS Dhoni. The ace off spinner did not take much time to make the Lankan dance on his tunes. Ashwin sent both their opener in the first over of the match itself. Dickwella was caught short of the batting crease after he was lured forward and beaten by the loop and flight of the ball. Dilshan was trapped LBW of the last ball the same over. He came back in the following over to make skipper Chandimal depart to the pavilion. Gunaratne became his fourth victim in the 5th over of the match. Ashwin had taken four in his first three over. His last over did not get him any wicket but his bowling efforts were the best by any Indian in T20Is

2. Lankans tumble down for a paltry total:

Ravichandran Ashwin was the tormentor in chief for the Lankan today. The off-spinner dismantled the opposition top order all by his own. The rest of the work was completed by rest of the Indian bowlers who joined in the party and rocked the Lankan to topple them for a paltry 82 runs. Ashish Nehra, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja all picked one wicket respectively. Part timer Suresh Rain was also a big gainer from the helping condition as he took a stunning 2/2 in his 2 overs spell. All this combined efforts by them perfectly complimented Ashwin’s early efforts and made sure that the visitors get no chance to claw their way back into the match.

3. Questions over the umpiring standards:

Fingers were pointed at the umpiring standards in the match after a couple of disappointing decisions were made today. It all started when Dilshan walked off nodding his head in disbelief after being given out by the umpire. Ashwin struck off the last ball of the 1st over after he managed snap up the wicket of  Dilshan. In Ashwin’s 3rd over, Dhoni surrounded Gunaratne with a slip and a leg slip. Immediately, the second ball by Ashwin went to the leg slip fielder and there were loud appeal. The umpire thought he had edged it and gave Gunaratne out. The replays confirmed the ball didn’t edge the bat and had come off the thigh pad. The 16th over of the match also saw a surprising decision. Senanayake was given out behind off the Raina’s bowling. Dhoni quickly appealed after collecting the ball, the umpire agreed with him and gave Senanayake out. The batsman was stunned and so was the bowler Raina who later indicated that he didn’t hear anything.

4. Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane finish the job:

India had a pea-sized target to win the match as well as the series. The Indian openers did not look in any hurry and batted with a relaxed approach. However, they not totally slothful as fours and sixes came off the blade of the dashing duo. Fans expected a clear 10 wicket victory today but that didn’t happen as Rohit Sharma missed a flick on the leg side to get dismissed leg before by Dushmantha Chameera.  Ajinkya Rahane, who had a off day in the last ODI, came out to bat and went on to bat till the end with Dhawan. The pair quickly smashed the 55 runs which were required and handed India a victory by 9 wickets with 6.1 overs to spare.  The win came in style for India after Dhawan whacked a six and four for winning runs. The Delhi batsman continued his good form but missed out on a half-century by four runs, finishing with 46 runs. Rahane, on the other side, made 23 runs.

5. MS Dhoni looks confident with a settled team combination:

The best positive takeaway India takes from the series is the well-tested and successful team combination for the T20Is ahead of two important multi-nation tournaments.  The Australia tour saw few changes in the team. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya were called up to infuse fresh energy while Yuvraj and Nehra brought their experience. Everyone lived up to their reputation and performed better than their potentials. Indians were jubilant Down Under and whitewashed the hosts Australia. Sri Lanka came touring here. The Virat Kohli-less Indians were favorites but, Indians were shocked after they were handed an embarrassing defeat in the first T20I. But, Dhoni did not tamper the combination and went in without any change which yielded results. India comfortably won the remainder of two matches quite easily to pocket the series. Going by these performances, it can be concluded that Dhoni has a well settled and confident team to go into the Asia Cup and World T20.