Colombo, July 29: Exposing India’s young batsmen’s inability to tackle spin, Sri Lanka conjured up a seven-wicket victory in the deciding third Twenty20 to hand the fancied Asian neighbours a 2-1 series defeat, here on Thursday. Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga (4/9) made the Indians dance to his tunes on his 24th birthday, playing a crucial role in restricting them to a paltry 81 for eight, their lowest against the Lankans.
The small target gave the hosts the luxury to adopt a cautious approach. They too struggled against the Indian spinners before overhauling the target with 5.3 overs to spare. It is Sri Lanka’s first ever T20 series win over India. India had won the preceding ODI series 2-1.
Rahul Chahar dismissed both openers – Avishka Fernando and Minod Bhanuka – and Sadeera Samarawickrama but the small total did not give India any chance to script a comeback.
Sri Lanka’s top batsman Dhananjaya de Silva (23*), though, nudged the ball around nicely to take the side past the finish line.
Only three Indian batsmen could manage double-digit scores with Kuldeep Yadav being the best with his 23-run unbeaten knock.
Brief Scores
India 81/8 in 20 overs
(K Yadav 23*; W Hasaranga 4/9, D Shanaka 2/20)
Sri Lanka 82/3 in 14.3 overs
(D de Silva 23*; R Chahar 3/15). (PTI)
