India vs Sri Lanka 2022, 2nd T20I – Who Said What

India faced Sri Lanka in the second T20I at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on February 26. The contest turned out to be an action-packed one as the hosts came out top in what was a spectacular run-fest. After calling it right at the toss, Rohit Sharma decided to chase having invited the Dasun Shanaka-led side to make the first use of the pitch. The decision turned out to be spot-on as India emerged victorious by seven wickets on a typical batting surface. While Shreyas Iyer was the top-scorer of the match scoring an unbeaten 74 off just 44 deliveries, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with 45 off 18 balls.

Earlier, the Sri Lankan batters had posted a stiff total of 183/5 from their 20 overs with opener Pathum Nissanka finding form scoring 75 runs off 53 deliveries before skipper Shanaka smashing Harshal Patel for 23 runs in the final over to add finishing touches to the innings. All the Indian bowlers picked up a wicket apiece.

Ravindra Jadeja’s cameo helps India seal the T20I series

Having come out to bat in the 13th over after Sanju Samson’s dismissal, Jadeja went after the opposition bowlers right from the word ‘go’ and allowed a well-set Shreyas Iyer to take a backseat. The southpaw clobbered Dushmanta Chameera for a maximum and three straight boundaries in the 16th over to ease the pressure of the Indian run chase. He finished it off in style by hitting Chameera for a boundary on the very first ball of the 18th over to complete the formalities.

Winning skipper, Rohit Sharma said:

Yeah, it was something that was important, for the middle-order to come and string together a partnership was good to see. It’s happened quite a few times over the past few games. Don’t want to be too harsh on the bowlers, these things happen. We bowled well in the first few overs (in the batting powerplay), restricted them well, 80 runs in the last five overs, it’s something we need to understand on things to be done in the last five overs, but we did well in the first 15 overs. The pitch was superb, the ball was coming on nicely and these things do happen. We have a lot of talent in that batting unit, we will keep giving them the chances, it’s up to them to make the most of it. I thought Sanju showed how well he could play with that knock, it’s all about taking your opportunities. Lot of these guys are quite talented. They just need an opportunity to go out there and express themselves. There are a lot of guys waiting in the wings as well but their time will come as well. We’ve got to look after the guys who have been in and around the team for a while. We understand all these guys possess a lot of talent. So it’s just about giving the opportunity and the backing from our side. Was an important knock from Shreyas, couldn’t have asked anything more from him, Jaddu came up well with the bat. We’ll sit down tomorrow, see what we can do (on any team changes), we have used 27 players so far, there could be more (laughs). When you win the series, there are guys who haven’t had the opportunities. Some of the guys will have to play Tests, we’ll have to look after everyone. It’s the sign of the times we’re in, it’s fine to look after physically, but it’s the mental thing that’s important as well. At the end of the day, we need to keep winning and keep positive vibes going through in the team.

Losing skipper, Dasun Shanaka said:

 It was a good score in the conditions, we started well, but should have done more in the powerplay. The ball did a bit during the powerplay though. We did plan to have Lahiru (Kumara) bowl after the first 6 overs, perhaps could have had him for one more over. The wicket was superb, the ball was coming on nicely and I played to my strengths. We will look to get out of the series with a win tomorrow.

Player of the match, Shreyas Iyer said:

I feel when I do that, the body reflexes work well and I can time my movement well. That’s why I backed away (on the ball that nearly bowled him), but he bowled it well, full and the swing took it away from the stumps. I was in shock when I saw the replays myself. It was important for me to time the ball – it was swinging and seaming. Ishan started well, but when he got out, Sanju got us going, and when he was dismissed, Jaddu bhai came out to close the match for us. I wasn’t really thinking (asked if Lahiru Kumara should have been given an extra over), was focussed on myself and at the present – that’s what we always talk about in the team meetings. When I faced the first few balls, I realised it wasn’t turning (on the spinner), so I knew I could use the feet, the ball was travelling well, so I could step out on the lofted shots.