 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Images from the third and final T20 International between India and Sri Lanka at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Saturday.
Suryakumar Yadav displayed his unmatched superiority yet again in T20 cricket with a scintillating hundred as India thrashed Sri Lanka by 91 runs in the third match to secure a memorable series win in Rajkot on Saturday.
Suryakumar struck a sensational 112 not out off 51 balls for his third T20I century and fired India to an imposing 228/5, making the job easier for his bowlers.
He toyed with the Sri Lankan bowlers throughout, hitting fours and maximums at will and in his trademark manner all across the ground.
The Indian bowlers then dominated as they skittled Sri Lanka for 137 in 16.4 overs to claim the series 2-1.
While the first two matches were a close affair, India dominated the proceedings with both ball and bat in the decider.
Chasing a huge target, Pathum Nissanka (15) survived a first ball appeal as he chose to review a leg before wicket off Hardik Pandya.
The two Sri Lankan openers looked up for the challenge as they shared a brisk 44-run stand. While Nissanka hit Arshdeep Singh (3/20) for a couple of fours in the second over, he slammed consecutive sixes off Pandya in the next over.
With the pacers going for runs, Pandya introduced spin in the form of Axar Patel (1/19) and the left-arm spinner took the wicket of Kusal Mendis (23).
Arshdeep followed it up with the wicket Nissanka in the next over, while Pandya removed Avishka Fernando (1).
The wily Yuzuvendra Chahal (2/30) was the next bowler to claim a wicket in the form of Charith Asalanka (19) courtesy of Shivam Mavi, who ran to his left from deep cover to complete an excellent catch.
Umran Malik (2/31) impressed with his raw pace again but India's affair with extras continued as the bowlers bowled a no ball and 11 wides, including four by Arshdeep.
Earlier, Shubman Gill (46), who failed to go beyond single digit scores in the previous two matches, was cautious as he opened his account after playing nine dots with a six, followed by a four off Dilshan Madushanka in the third over.
Rahul Tripathi sizzled with a quickfire 16-ball 35 after Ishan Kishan (1) was sent back in the first over.
As soon as spin was introduced, Tripathi targeted Mahesh Theekshana (0/48) as he hit three fours from the fifth over. He assumed the role of the aggressor as he pummelled Chamika Karunaratne for back to back sixes before he steered the pacer straight to short thirdman.
India raced to 53/2 in six overs in the powerplay and while Gill continued to score at a slow pace, Surya was at his effortless best.
The World's No 1 batter in T20Is looked like a man from another planet.
With Suryakumar firing on all cyliners, Gill tried to up the ante at the other end as well. He hit Wanindu Hasaranga (1/36) for a six but as the youngster moved down the wicket to dispatch the ball for another boundary, a leg-break got the better of him to end the 111-run partnership.
Gill's wicket saw a change in momentum as India lost skipper Hardik Pandya (4) and all-rounder Deepak Hooda (4) in quick succession.
But it was business as usual for Suryakumar as he repeatedly timed the ball to perfection, hitting nine sixes and seven fours in his blazing knock.
Towards the end, he found an able ally in Axar Patel (21 not out) as the duo took India over the 220-run mark.