KalingaTV News Network
Cuttack: In one of its biggest win in T20 format of cricket, the men in blue defeated Lankans with a margin of 93 runs in the first match of its three-match series, held at Barabati Stadium here last night.
After losing the toss and getting invited to bat by Sri Lankan captain Thisara Perera, India put up a formidable total of 180/3 before the visitors riding on the fireworks of opener Lokesh Rahul (61) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (39 not out). Hitting Sri Lankan bowlers mercilessly in all directions in the field young Manish Pandey also gave his significant contribution of 32 runs in Indian innings. However, the most significant part of the innings was Dhoni closing the innings with a hard-hitting six going all the way making crowd remembers his heydays.
Chasing a big total of 181 in 20 Overs later in the day, Sri Lankan batsmen failed badly in all fronts and neither the opener nor the middle order succeeded in giving a good fight to the opponents. Wickets kept tumbling after Upul Tharanga’s 16-ball 23-run burst for the visitors.
Bamboozling Lankan batsmen during his spell leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (4/23) brought the Lankan plight and bundled out the visitors for 89 in 16 overs on a dew-laden Barabati Stadium. He was adjudged ‘Man of the Match’ award.
Notably, with registering a win over Sri Lanka at Barabati, India have bettered its 90-run victory over England recorded in Colombo in September, 2012.
Kalinga AI