Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis scored respective half centuries as Sri Lanka defeated India by 6 wickets in the Super 4 match in Dubai on Tuesday.
After being asked to bat first by Sri Lanka skipper, Maheesh Theekshana drew first blood by trapping KL Rahul leg before wicket for 6.
Dilshan Madushanka then got into the act by claiming the prize scalp of Virat Kohli (0) bowled, while attempting a wild slog over midwicket.
Rohit Sharma along with Suryakumar Yadav brought the innings back on track with a 97 run stand for the third wicket before the former miscued a slower short delivery from Karunaratne to Nissanka at deep point for a sizzling 72. His innings came off just 41 balls with 5 fours and 4 sixes.
Suryakumar (34) fell soon after, guiding a slower bouncer from Dasun Shanaka to Theekshana at short third man.
The momentum swung in Sri Lanka’s favour as the likes of Rishabh Pant, Deepak Hooda and Hardik Pandya departed cheaply.
Ravi Ashwin (15)* in the end scored some handy runs down the order to take the Men in Blue to 173/8 in their 20 overs.
For Islanders, Dilshan Madushanka was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/24, while Chamika Karunaratne and Dasun Shanaka bagged 2 wickets each.
Chasing 174, openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis got Sri Lanka off to a rollicking start. The duo added 97 runs for the opening stand before Yuzvendra Chahal struck twice- first by dismissing Nissanka and then dismissing left hander Charith Asalanka for a duck.
Ravichandran Ashwin also joined the party by dismissing Danushka Gunathilaka (1), caught at long off by Rahul.
Chahal then claimed his third wicket by trapping the dangerous Mendis (57) right in front of stumps, leaving Sri Lanka in a spot of bother at 110/4.
However skipper Dasun Shanaka (33*) along with Bhanuka Rajapaksa (25*) shared an unbroken 64 runs for the fifth wicket to take Lankans to a magnificent win with a delivery to spare.