India beat Sri Lanka in a thrilling Super Over to win the three-match T20 series in Pallekele. Sri Lanka was in a strong position at 110/1, chasing a target of 138, and seemed set to avoid a series whitewash. However, their middle-order collapsed, losing seven wickets for just 22 runs, sending the match into a Super Over.
India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, made some smart decisions, including bowling himself and Rinku Singh in the final overs, which helped secure the win. In the Super Over, India performed well and won the match, completing a 3-0 series sweep.
Sri Lanka needed just 30 runs to win in the last five overs, but they collapsed dramatically, only managing to tie the scores. India bowled Rinku Singh and captain Suryakumar Yadav in the final two overs, somehow pushing the match into a Super Over, which they won quickly. Washington Sundar took two Sri Lankan wickets in consecutive balls with just two runs on the board. Suryakumar then hit a four on the first ball of the Super Over, securing the win. India won the series 3-0, marking a successful first series for Gautam Gambhir as head coach and for Suryakumar as the full-time T20I captain.
Earlier, Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera kept things steady, seeming to prevent India from sweeping the series. India lost four wickets in the first six overs, but Sri Lankan openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis kept their team safe during the powerplay.
Sri Lanka bowled and fielded well, restricting India to 137/9 in the third T20I in Pallekele. They hoped their batting lineup would support their good bowling and handle the Indian attack on a spinner-friendly pitch. India struggled early, losing five wickets within the first 10 overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, and Suryakumar Yadav were all out by the end of the powerplay, leaving India at 30/4. Shivam Dube fell in the ninth over.
The toss for the third T20I was delayed by 40 minutes in Pallekele. When it finally happened, Sri Lanka won and chose to bowl first. Suryakumar Yadav mentioned that India rested all-rounder Hardik Pandya, fast bowler Arshdeep Singh, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, and spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel. It had been drizzling before the match, and while it was dry just before the toss, the delay was due to the covers being moved and dried out.
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