India secured a nail-biting three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a thrilling T20 international at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday evening. The hosts, batting first, posted a competitive 185 runs for the loss of six wickets, with Pathum Nissanka top-scoring with 68 runs. In response, India chased down the target with just two balls to spare, with captain KL Rahul smashing a quickfire 47 off 22 deliveries. The match, which kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final over, was attended by a packed crowd of 15,000 spectators. The victory extends India’s unbeaten streak in T20 internationals to 12 matches, while Sri Lanka’s record stands at four wins and seven losses in the format this year.
India Secures Narrow Victory in High-Stakes T20 Showdown
India secured a narrow three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a high-stakes T20 international at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The hosts, batting first, posted a competitive total of 185 for 6 in their 20 overs. Skipper Dasun Shanaka top-scored with a blistering 46 off 24 balls, including three sixes and two fours.
In response, India chased down the target with just two balls to spare. Virat Kohli played a captain’s knock, scoring an unbeaten 77 off 54 deliveries. His innings included six fours and two sixes, anchoring India’s chase after a shaky start.
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack put up a spirited fight, with Wanindu Hasaranga picking up 3 wickets for 30 runs. However, India’s lower order held their nerve in the final overs, with Ravindra Jadeja hitting the winning runs with a six.
The victory extends India’s winning streak in T20 internationals to five matches. Speaking after the match, Indian coach Rahul Dravid praised his team’s resilience. “It was a tough chase, but the boys showed great character and composure,” he said. The next match in the series is scheduled for Thursday at the same venue.
Sri Lanka Fights Back but Falls Short Against India in T20 Thriller
India secured a hard-fought victory over Sri Lanka in a thrilling T20 international at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The hosts fought valiantly but ultimately fell short, with India winning by 31 runs.
India posted a competitive total of 178 for 5 in their 20 overs. Skipper Rohit Sharma top-scored with a blistering 63 off 44 balls, setting the tone for a strong batting performance. Sri Lanka’s bowling attack struggled to contain the Indian batsmen, with only Wanindu Hasaranga managing to pick up two wickets.
In response, Sri Lanka got off to a promising start, with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis putting on 58 runs for the first wicket. However, India’s bowlers fought back, with Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel sharing five wickets between them. Sri Lanka’s innings ended at 147 for 9, with Jadeja taking three wickets for just 16 runs in his four overs.
The match was a closely contested affair, with momentum swinging back and forth. At one point, Sri Lanka needed 70 runs off the last five overs, but India’s bowlers held their nerve to secure the victory. The win extends India’s unbeaten streak in T20 internationals to 12 matches.
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka acknowledged the loss but praised his team’s fighting spirit. “We fought hard, but India played better cricket today,” he said. “We need to learn from this and come back stronger in the next match.” The two teams will face each other again in the second T20 international on Sunday.
India's Bowlers Shine in Decisive T20 Win Over Sri Lanka
India secured a thrilling 31-run victory over Sri Lanka in a high-stakes T20 International at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The hosts, batting first, posted a competitive 178 for 5, with skipper Dasun Shanaka smashing an unbeaten 60 off 28 balls.
India’s bowlers, however, rose to the occasion, restricting Sri Lanka to 147 all out in 19.2 overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4 for 24. “Our bowlers executed their plans well, especially in the death overs,” said India’s stand-in captain, Jasprit Bumrah.
Sri Lanka’s innings was built around Shanaka’s blistering knock, which included six sixes and two fours. But their middle order crumbled under pressure, with India’s spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja sharing four wickets.
India’s chase began shakily, with openers Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul falling cheaply. But skipper Virat Kohli steadied the ship with a crucial 45 off 32 balls. “We lost early wickets, but Kohli’s innings gave us the momentum,” said Sri Lanka’s coach, Mickey Arthur.
The visitors eventually reached the target with two overs to spare, with Rishabh Pant finishing unbeaten on 42 off 25 balls. The win gives India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The final match will be played on 27 January.
Sri Lanka's Top Order Fails to Capitalise in T20 Loss to India
India secured a thrilling 38-run victory over Sri Lanka in a closely contested T20 international at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The hosts, batting first, posted a competitive total of 186 for 6, with skipper Dasun Shanaka leading the charge with a blistering 43 off 22 balls. However, Sri Lanka’s top order failed to capitalise on the strong foundation, collapsing to 148 all out in 19.3 overs.
Sri Lanka’s innings began promisingly, with openers Kusal Perera and Avishka Fernando putting on 43 runs for the first wicket. But the momentum shifted dramatically as India’s bowlers struck crucial blows at regular intervals. Yuzvendra Chahal was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 22 runs in his 4 overs.
The middle order crumbled under pressure, with only Wanindu Hasaranga offering resistance with a quickfire 32 off 18 balls. India’s fielders were sharp, taking stunning catches and effecting run-outs to keep the pressure on the Sri Lankan batsmen. The most notable dismissal came from Ravindra Jadeja, who pulled off a spectacular one-handed catch to dismiss Angelo Mathews.
India’s victory was built on a solid batting performance, with Shreyas Iyer top-scoring with 53 off 36 balls. The visitors’ innings was anchored by a crucial partnership between Iyer and Rishabh Pant, who contributed 42 runs off 25 balls. The win consolidates India’s position at the top of the T20 rankings, while Sri Lanka will look to regroup for the remaining matches in the series.
India Extends Dominance in T20 Series with Nail-Biting Win
India extended its dominance in the T20 series against Sri Lanka with a nail-biting three-wicket victory in the third match at the Wankhede Stadium. The hosts chased down 155 runs with just two balls to spare, maintaining their unbeaten streak in the five-match series.
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a competitive total of 154 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Opener Pathum Nissanka top-scored with a brisk 55 runs off 42 balls, providing a solid foundation for the visitors.
India’s chase began shakily, with the team losing both openers within the first six overs. However, a crucial partnership between captain Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav steadied the innings. Sharma scored a quickfire 33 runs off 22 balls, while Yadav contributed a 36-ball 42 to keep India in the hunt.
The match reached a thrilling climax in the final over, with India needing 13 runs to win. Ravindra Jadeja, promoted up the order, played a match-winning knock of 27 not out off just 12 balls. His aggressive batting, including two sixes in the final over, sealed the victory for India.
Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka admitted that his team’s performance was not up to the mark. “We didn’t execute our plans well today,” he said after the match. “India outplayed us in all departments, and we need to improve if we want to compete in the remaining matches.”
With this victory, India has taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. The teams will now face each other in the fourth and fifth matches, scheduled to be played in Bengaluru and Kolkata, respectively.
India’s victory over Sri Lanka in a thrilling T20 clash has cemented their position as a dominant force in the format. The win, secured by a nail-biting boundary count after a tied super over, showcased the depth of India’s talent and their ability to perform under pressure. This result keeps India atop the T20 rankings, while Sri Lanka will look to regroup and build on their competitive showing. The match also highlighted the growing intensity and unpredictability of T20 cricket, with both teams displaying exceptional skill and sportsmanship. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more such electrifying encounters.
