The match remained evenly poised until the 14th over, with Sri Lanka needing 74 runs from 36 balls and nine wickets in hand. However, Axar Patel changed the game’s course in the 15th over by taking two crucial wickets. The hosts continued to lose ground thereafter, ultimately falling short by 43 runs in the first T20I, giving India the lead in the three-match series.
Batting first, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill strode confidently to the crease and launched a fierce attack from the start. With the new ball offering no swing, the Sri Lankan pacers struggled to make early breakthroughs. They did not give themselves the best chance by bowling too many freebies. Jaiswal aggressively targeted the bowlers, effortlessly finding the boundary. Gill also joined the onslaught, hitting boundaries to contribute to the 74-run opening partnership.
However, his innings was cut short on the last ball of the Powerplay. Following Gill’s departure, Jaiswal misread Wanindu Hasaranga’s googly, bringing the home team back into the contest. In the same over, Hasaranga induced an edge from Suryakumar Yadav’s bat, which would have been a straightforward catch had a slip been in place. Charith Asalanka’s decision not to position a slip for the new batter proved costly.
The stage was set for a Surya special and the newly named captain didn’t disappoint. Surya made full use of the good batting conditions. While Rishabh Pant looked out of sorts, the captain ensured that the wicketkeeper-batter didn’t feel the pressure, by maintaining a high scoring rate. None of the bowlers could contain Surya, who reached his 50 in just 22 balls before being dismissed by Matheesha Pathirana.
After SKY returned to the dressing room, Pant took charge. Although Sri Lanka struggled initially with the ball, they managed to finish strong, largely due to Pathirana’s impressive performance. He bowled with pace and precision, attacking the stumps to end the night with four wickets.
Much like India, Sri Lanka started aggressively, accumulating boundaries. Despite missing out on capitalising on the second over, they made the most of the remaining deliveries in the Powerplay. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis smashed boundaries at regular intervals to keep the required run-rate in check.
The pair played classic cricket, matching the Indians stroke for stroke and taking full advantage of the fielding restrictions. Mendis, however, was dismissed while attempting a big shot, but Nissanka continued aggressively, hitting a six in the same over.
Nissanka reached his 50, but the game shifted in the 15th over when Axar dismissed him and Perera. Ravi Bishnoi further tilted the balance by sending Asalanka back in the next over, leaving Sri Lanka needing 56 runs off 24 balls.
Sri Lanka’s situation worsened with the loss of Dasun Shanaka, resulting in four wickets falling for just 20 runs. The visitors gambled by bringing in their sixth bowling option, Riyan Parag, who took three wickets to close the game for his team.