Skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal led India to a decisive seven-wicket victory in the rain-affected second T20 international against Sri Lanka, securing the series on Sunday. India chased down a revised target of 78 in just eight overs, achieving victory with nine balls remaining at Kandy's Pallekele International Stadium. This win gave India an insurmountable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, marking a robust start for their new-era team under Suryakumar and coach Gautam Gambhir. Key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja have retired from T20 internationals following the World Cup victory in Barbados last month. Suryakumar has demonstrated strong leadership qualities early on, contributing significantly to both wins, including a brisk 26 in the recent match.
"We discussed our approach to this tournament beforehand, outlining the style of cricket we aim to play," said the 33-year-old Suryakumar. "Even with a reduced target, this is the blueprint we intend to follow in the future." The bowlers were instrumental in setting up the win, with Ravi Bishnoi and Hardik Pandya combining for five wickets, restricting Sri Lanka to 161-9 despite Kusal Perera's 53. Sri Lanka's innings faltered from 130-2 to 140-6, losing additional wickets, including two in the final over by Axar Patel. Rain halted India's chase after just three balls and six runs without loss, with play resuming under revised conditions. Suryakumar and left-handed Jaiswal added 39 runs, with Jaiswal scoring 30, after Sanju Samson was dismissed for a duck.
Matheesha Pathirana and Wanindu Hasaranga managed to dismiss Suryakumar and Jaiswal, but their contributions were pivotal in India's victory. Pandya concluded with an unbeaten 22, including two fours, sealing another commanding win following their 43-run victory in the first match. Earlier, Suryakumar won the toss, delayed due to rain, and chose to field first against Sri Lanka led by Charith Asalanka. India quickly struck by dismissing Kusal Mendis for 10, but Pathum Nissanka and Perera combined for a quick 54. Nissanka was lbw off Bishnoi, while Perera continued his aggressive play, hitting a fifty with a six off Pandya.
Pandya, who missed out on T20 captaincy, took two wickets in one over, including Perera, swinging the match in India's favor. Former captain Dasun Shanaka was bowled by Bishnoi for a second consecutive first-ball duck. Bishnoi, named man of the match for his figures of 3-26 in four overs, removed Hasaranga next ball, but Ramesh Mendis survived the hat-trick. "We are disappointed with our batting performance at the end and our middle and lower-middle order, including myself," said Asalanka, who scored 14. "We need to improve our batting at the death." Sri Lanka continues to struggle under new captain Asalanka and interim coach Sanath Jayasuriya after their early exit from the T20 World Cup. The final T20 match is scheduled for Tuesday at the same venue.
