In a nail-biting finish, India managed to secure a two-run win over Sri Lanka in the first T20I at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Captain Hardik Pandya had promised to support the young players in his new-look squad, and he did so by giving debuts to Shubman Gill and Shivam Mavi. Mavi, 24, made a brilliant debut, claiming 4-22 and becoming only the third Indian to take four wickets on debut. However, Gill struggled with the bat, scoring only seven runs, adding to India's ongoing search for a reliable opener.
The top order for India underperformed in the first T20I, with Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Sanju Samson all failing to make a significant impact. Their shot selection was not up to their usual standards, and the team management will be hoping for a better performance from them in the second T20I at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Thursday. Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel did well to provide a late surge for India, but the top order will need to step up if the team hopes to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Sri Lanka also faced struggles in the top order, with Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Charith Asalanka all failing to make a significant contribution. However, captain Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne put in a valiant effort, with Shanaka scoring 45 and Karunaratne hitting a couple of sixes. Despite their efforts, Sri Lanka fell just short in the end, with two run outs in the final over ultimately leading to their defeat.
The second T20I at the MCA Stadium in Pune presents both teams with the opportunity to rectify their mistakes and determine the outcome of the series. The pitch is expected to be good for batting, with assistance for spin bowlers. In previous meetings at the MCA Stadium, Sri Lanka won in 2016 and India won in 2020, so it's anyone's game at this point. Don't miss out on the action as these two teams face off in what is sure to be an exciting match.
Squads
India (from): Hardik Pandya (Captain), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (v-c), Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi and Mukesh Kumar.
Sri Lanka (from): Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga (v-c), Ashen Bandara, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Kumara and Nuwan Thushara.