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Follow UsPathum Nissanka’s aggressive approach
Unlike previous years, Pathum Nissanka is showing a different range in T20Is this year, with a strike rate of 156.38. Nissanka's refreshing approach has yielded him rewards against the world champions India, with a 24-ball 32 laced with five fours.
Nissanka’s 32 follows a 48-ball 79 that he scored in the opener in Pallekele. His series strike rate of 154.16 is his second-best in a series, only behind his 202.22 against Afghanistan earlier in the year.
Kusal Perera reignites an age-old debate
A 33-year-old making his comeback? Is that good or bad for a rebuilding Sri Lankan side?
It might not be the best for the future, but in terms of abilities, Kusal Perera still brings about an aggression that isn’t found in plenty of the Island nation. The left-hander picked up from where he left off at the 2024 LPL with his 14th half-century (34-ball 53) in the second T20I.
Yet another day, yet another Sri Lankan collapse
Guess what’s stayed the same? Sri Lanka’s collapse. Twice in two days, India sparked a collapse that saw the Island nation go from a good place to find themselves in depths of despair.
From 130/2, Sri Lanka lost seven wickets while scoring just 31 runs in the last five overs. Ravi Bishnoi triggered that collapse with figures of 3/26, which include dismissing Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga off consecutive deliveries.
Maheesh Theekshana provides a hope
Defending 72 off 45 balls, Sri Lanka had their task cut containing a rampant Yashasvi Jaiswal. But after the rain break, Maheesh Theekshana stepped up with an inch-perfect over.
The mystery spinner bamboozled Sanju Samson off the very first ball, with the carrom ball drifting in instead of straightening. Theekshana only conceded two runs in his first over, giving Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope.
Jaiswal-SKY end all those hopes
But those hopes quickly vanished when one certain Yashasvi Jaiswal smacked Wanindu Hasaranga with a six and four off the leg-spinner’s first two deliveries. New batter Suryakumar Yadav chipped with his own seasoning with a four off Hasaranga’s first over.
The Indian skipper then smashed three boundaries off Theekshana’s over before a six off Matheesha Pathirana’s over inched the game towards India. While Suryakumar got out, scoring a 12-ball 26, Jaiswal ensured that the match was almost done and dusted when he walked back for a 15-ball 30.
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