The Suryakumar Yadav era of Indian T20I cricket got off to a winning start as India edged past Sri Lanka by 43 runs in the series opener at Pallekele on Saturday. The Indian top-order’s collective effort proved to be the difference on a fresh Pallekele surface that offered little assistance to the bowlers. Despite chasing a challenging target of 214 runs, Sri Lanka remained in contention for most of the second innings thanks to an inspired knock from Pathum Nissanka.
Driven by the enthusiastic home crowd, openers Nissanka and Kusal Mendis launched a blistering attack. Nissanka set the tone by smashing two boundaries off Arshdeep Singh in the first over of the chase. He continued his onslaught against Mohammed Siraj, clubbing two sixes in the second over. Mendis soon joined the party, unleashing a barrage of strokes on both sides of the wicket as Sri Lanka raced to 77 runs in eight overs.
India’s fortunes shifted when Mendis mistimed a pull shot off Arshdeep, finding the deep mid-wicket fielder. However, Nissanka kept the pressure on, punishing both Indian pacers and spinners with equal disdain. He registered his highest T20I score, displaying remarkable resilience and determination. The Lankan opener’s valiant innings finally came to an end when he was bowled by an Axar Patel arm ball.
Nissanka’s dismissal proved to be the turning point as India swiftly removed the remaining nine wickets for a meager 30 runs. Earlier, India’s openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill provided a fiery start with a flurry of boundaries. They targeted the square fence on both sides, cutting, sweeping, and pulling with precision, much to the dismay of the home fans.
Jaiswal was particularly aggressive, smashing a boundary off each of the first three Sri Lankan bowlers. Gill stepped up in the final over of the PowerPlay, hammering two fours and a six off Dilshan Madushanka, before being caught by Asitha Fernando. Sri Lanka’s joy was short-lived as Jaiswal was stumped off Wanindu Hasaranga’s first delivery of the day.
However, Suryakumar Yadav ensured the momentum remained with India. The newly appointed captain employed his signature scoops and flicks to unsettle the Lankan bowling unit. Sri Lanka’s poor fielding added to their woes as they dropped catches, offering lives to Suryakumar and Rishabh Pant, and conceded avoidable boundaries. Nevertheless, India’s hopes of a runaway victory were dampened by some fiery death bowling from Matheesha Pathirana, who delivered yorkers with remarkable accuracy to claim four wickets.
Despite Pathirana’s impressive spell and Nissanka’s valiant effort, India emerged victorious, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. The second T20I will take place at the same venue on Sunday, with the match commencing at 7 PM.
