Suryakumar Yadav led from the front by scoring a sparkling 26 ball-58 as India beat Sri Lanka by 43 runs in the first of the three T20 internationals at Pallekele on Saturday.
After being asked to bat first, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal got Men in Blue off to a fantastic start. The duo added 74 runs for the opening stand before the former fell to a fine catch by Asitha Fernando off Dilshan Madushanka for 34.
Jaiswal (40) was then stumped by a googly from Wanindu Hasaranga. Suryakumar along with Rishabh Pant featured in a 76 run stand for the third wicket before the former was trapped right in front by Matheesha Pathirana for a fine 58.
The visitors lost 2 quick wickets, but Pant’s 49 and a cameo from Axar Patel (10)* propelled their side to 213/7 in their 20 overs.
In response, Sri Lanka openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis got their side off to a quickfire start. The pair added 84 runs for the opening stand before Arshdeep Singh broke the stand by dismissing the dangerous Mendis for 45.
Nissanka featured in yet another crucial 56 run stand for the second wicket along side along with Kusal Perera. However Axar turned the game in visitors favour- first by cleaning up Nissanka (79) with an arm delivery and then dismissing Kusal caught at deep backward square leg for 20.
Skipper Charith Asalanka fell for a duck while trying to take on Ravi Bishnoi. Dasum Shanaka was then run out without facing a ball while trying to take on non existent third run off Mohammed Siraj.
The lower order crumbled as Riyan Parag picked up three wickets, as the hosts lost their last nine wickets for just 30 runs to be bowled out for 170 in 19.2 overs.