During the first T20I of Sri Lanka’s tour of India 2023 in Mumbai, India beat Sri Lanka by 2 runs to gain a 1-0 lead in a three-match series. Not the most convincing of Indian victories but the hosts played good enough to prevent Sri Lanka from beating them for the second time in a row.
Advertisement
Chasing a 163-run target, Sri Lanka looked good in patches but couldn’t elongate the duration of the same to be able to seal the chase. Having lost wickets from the second over itself, Sri Lanka looked at their best during a brisk 23-ball 40-run sixth-wicket partnership between captain Dasun Shanaka (45) and vice-captain Wanindu Hasaranga (21).
Both the right-handed batters hit four fours and five sixes between them to trouble the Indian bowlers. In addition to the number of boundaries, the convincing manner in which they were hit was a sight to behold.
Needing 29 runs in the last two overs, Sri Lanka all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne (23*) did quite well to hit a couple of sixes and reduce the equation to needing to hit a boundary off the last ball. However, India all-rounder Axar Patel (0/31) managed to prevent the batter from hitting four runs on the last ball of the match.
IND vs SL Man of the Match
India were able to successfully defend 163 runs primarily due to fast bowlers Shivam Mavi (4/22), Umran Malik (2/27) and Harshal Patel (2/41) being among the wickets. Playing his first-ever international match, Mavi picking a wicket each in his four overs turned the tables for the hosts.
The 24-year old player managed to dismiss the likes of Pathum Nissanka (1), Dhananjaya de Silva (8), Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana (1) but was unfortunate to not be declared the Player of the Match. Readers must note that the match award was bagged by India batter Deepak Hooda.
Coming in to bat at No. 6 in the 11th over, Hooda scored 41* (23) with the help of a four and four sixes at a strike rate of 178.26. With India losing four wickets around the halfway mark, Hooda sharing a 35-ball 68-run sixth-wicket partnership alongside Axar Patel (31*) was instrumental in powering them to 162/5 in 20 overs after Shanaka won the toss and chose to bowl.
“I try my best to practice according to the number I bat. We [himself and Axar] were discussing it is a matter of 2-3 hits and that we will get with some momentum. I want to contribute in every manner,” Hooda told Star Sports during the post-match presentation ceremony.
