Young opener Ishan scores 56-ball 89 to help India put on massive 199-2; hosts beat Sri Lanka by 62 runs
Ishan Kishan in full flow against SL at Lucknow yesterday. Pics/AFP
Even after making as many as six changes to their team from the last T20I game against West Indies, India were as dominant as expected of a top-ranked team. The way they outplayed Sri Lanka in the first T20I at the Ekana Stadium here, clearly showed the chasm between the two sides. India’s top three batsmen gleefully accepted the invitation to bat first on a placid pitch and once the home team posted 199 for two, it was a match for India to lose. But their bowlers were not going to be generous and throttled the rivals to go one-up in three-match series with a 62-run win in a rather lopsided contest.
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India’s top three batsmen toyed with the Sri Lankan bowling, with skipper Rohit Sharma as masterly as ever. During his 44-run knock he became the highest run-getter in T20I, surpassing Martin Guptill’s 3,299 in 115 games. Rohit now has 3,307 in 123 games and is closely followed by Virat Kohli at 3,296 from 97 matches.
Shreyas Iyer during his unbeaten 57 yesterday
More than his personal milestone, Rohit would have been heartened by the way his opening partner Ishan Kishan batted.
Selfless approach
The talented southpaw took the opportunity to shine in the absence of regulars like KL Rahul, Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav. The manner in which he tore apart the rather pedestrian bowling with some breathtaking strokes was a sight to behold. Besides, he showed he is a team-man to the core. Despite being close to his maiden century, he was selfless in his approach and sacrificed his wicket in trying to increase the run-rate rather than being cautious in order to attain the milestone. His innings of 89 from just 56 balls virtually put India in the driver’s seat.
Shreyas Iyer grabbed the opportunity to bat at No.3 with both hands and his blistering unbeaten knock of 57 (28 balls, 5x4, 2x6) not only enhanced his reputation, but also enabled India to post a total that was always going to challenge the rivals despite the home bowlers having to counter the dew factor.
Disappointing start for SL
The Sri Lankan chase started on a wrong note when Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Pathum Nissanka off the first ball. Thereafter, Sri Lanka kept losing wickets regularly, despite the Indians dropping a couple of chances, the two Iyers, Shreyas and Ventakesh being the culprits. Charith Asalanka was the lone warrior for the Sri Lankans with a fine half-century, but his innings was always going to be in a losing cause, as they could only muster 137 for six.
3,307
Total number of runs scored by Rohit Sharma in T20Is to become the leading run-getter in the shorter format
Brief scores
India 199-2 in 20 overs (I Kishan 89, S Iyer 57*, R Sharma 44) beat Sri Lanka 137-6 in 20 overs (C Asalanka 53*, B Kumar 2-9, V Iyer 2-36) by 62 runs
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