India won by 2 runs against Sri Lanka to seal a thrilling encounter in the first Twenty20 International at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Tuesday. Spin all-rounder Axar Patel was tasked with defending 13 runs in the final over with Chamika Karunaratne and K Rajitha batting at 23 and 5 respectively.
After posting 162, the Indian bowlers had make sure they picked up early wickets to ensure a head start. Debutant Shivam Mavi provided just the start they needed and dismissed Pathum Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva. He eventually finished with bowling figures 4/22 in his first outing in the Indian jersey.
Pacers Umran Malik and Harshal Patel also starred with two wickets each and ensured Sri Lanka did not build a long partnership. However, Dasun Shanaka threatened to take the match away, scoring 45 off 27 before Umran ended his stay on the crease. Karunaratne continued the resistance to take the game deep but eventually, Sri Lanka stumbled in the last over as India was able to inflict two run outs.
Earlier in the match, cameos by Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel steered India to 162-5 after Sri Lanka’s bowlers made an impression. Ishan Kishan came out attacking as he hit Kasun Rajitha for a six and two fours in a 17-run opening over after the tourists invited India to bat at the start of the three-match series in Mumbai.
India raced to 26 in the first two overs but soon lost momentum after losing their top and middle-order before Hooda (41) and Patel (31) put on an unbeaten sixth-wicket stand of 68 to boost the total. Debutant Shubman Gill began with a boundary but soon fell lbw for seven to Maheesh Theekshana as the mystery spinner broke through in his first over.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers hit back with disciplined bowling and Chamika Karunaratne sent back Suryakumar Yadav after the batsman mistimed one of his audacious scoop shots to be caught at short fine leg.
India lost two more wickets and slipped to 77-4 four when wrist spinner Wanindu Hasaranga got Kishan out for 37.
Left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka added more misery to the opposition batting as he got skipper Hardik Pandya caught behind for 29. Hooda, who hit four sixes in his 23-ball knock, and Patel then hit back as India got 61 runs in their final five overs.
(With inputs from AFP)
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