Indian cricketers are on cloud nine after winning the T20I series against Sri Lanka with 3-0 series. The third match between Sri Lanka and India ended with a five wicket win at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday. After the tremendous win, the Indian team celebrated Christmas eve wearing the Santa Claus hats. It is the 37th victory in international cricket for India this year. The first one to hold the record is Australia with 38 international wins in 2003.
India reached the target of 136 within 19.2 overs with five wickets in hand. Pacers Dushmantha Chameera and Dasun Shanaka took two wickets each for Sri Lanka. Indian however did not do well in the start as openers Lokesh Rahul and Rohit Sharma gave up their wickets on a quick session. In 36 balls, Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey managed to make 42 runs and brought the Indian team back on track.
Iyer was run out by Akila Dananjaya in the 14th over. Hardik Pandya also lost his wicket in the immediate over. The wicket was taken by Sri Lankan wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella. Following Hardik was Manish Pandey who lost his wicket to Dushmantha Chameera. Later Dinesh Karthick and MS Dhoni joined the forces to complete the game. India has done a great bowling and restricted Sri Lanka to a low score.
Indian Team Celebrates Christmas after a big win against Sri Lanka
For Sri Lanka, Asela Gunaratne made 36 runs out of 37 balls and Dasun Shanaka 29 runs of 24 balls (not out) and was the main contributors for them. Sri Lankan openers Niroshan Dickwella and Upul Tharanga lost their wickets at 1 and 11 respectively. All thanks to Jaydev Unadkat who managed to take the two wickets in a quick pace.
Gunaratne scored 36 runs off 37 balls and Sadeera Samarawickrama scored 21. They build a strong partnership when Sadeera mistimed Pandya and Dinesh Karthik caught it in the air. It was when Sri Lanka was at 56/4 in 8.3 overs.
Danushka Gunathilaka and Thisara Perera lost their wickets at 3 and 11 respectively to left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and pacer Siraj. Though Gunaratne and Shanaka tried their level best, they could not make it to the win as Gunaratne lost his wicket on an immediate note pulling Pandya to the hands of Kuldeep at midwicket. With Shanaka’s two straight sixes, Sri Lanka stood at 135/7 score in 20 overs.
The next series will be with South Africa and the first Test will start on January 5.
