In regular play, Pathum Nissanka’s 107 off 58 balls and Kusal Perera ‘s 58 off 32, cancelled out a rapid 61 from Abhishek Sharma, and a 49 not out off 34 from, Tilak Varma India hit 202 for 5. So did Sri Lanka.
In the Super Over though, Sri Lanka were very clearly out of steam on all fronts. First, they didn’t send Nissanka out to bat, choosing Kusal Perera (who sliced one to deep backward point first ball), Dasun Shanaka (who struggled with Arshdeep Singh’s wide yorkers), and Kamindu Mendis (who has never been an explosive T20I batter) out instead.
Between these three, they managed a total of two runs. Suryakumar Yadav would almost laughingly put the first ball of their Super Over – bowled by Wanindu Hasaranga – through cover, to claim three first ball. This meant India went through to the Asia Cup final undefeated, and were really only tested in this match, in which they rested Jasprit Bumrah and Shivam Dube.
Perhaps their aura had lost a little of its shine, but India pushing through to a victory even when Sri Lanka’s top order was batting beautifully, will be something India will take heart from ahead of the final against Pakistan.
India’s innings, meanwhile, had gone smoothly. Abhishek produced another spectacular start, striking up a 59-run partnership with Suryakumar who contributed only 12 off 13 to that stand. Later, Tilak and Sanju Samson would put on 66 together.
Nissanka’s 127-run partnership off 70 balls, however, was the biggest of the tournament. It got Sri Lanka within sight of victory. But the remaining batters couldn’t quite get them across the line.
Brief scores:
India 202 for 5 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma , Suryakumar Yadav 12, Tilak Varma 49, Sanju Samson 39, Axar Patel 21*; Maheesh Theekshana 1-36, Dushmantha Chameera 1-40, Wanindu Hasaranga1-37, Dasun Shanaka1-23, CharithAsalanka1-18) tied with Sri Lanka 202 for 5 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 107, Kusal Perera 58, Dasun Shanaka 22*; Hardik Pandya 1-07, Arshdeep Singh’ 1-46, Haeshit Rana 1-54, Kuldeep Yadav 1-31, Varun Chaktavarthy 1-31)
India won the Super Over
(Cricinfo)
