India made light work of a 184-run target in the 2nd T20I on Friday in Dharamsala as Shreyas Iyer posted his highest T20I score, leading India’s successful chase. With the 7-wicket victory, India sealed an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the 3-match series against the visiting Sri Lankans.
It was a powerful batting performance from India who needed just 17.1 overs to gun down 184. Shreyas Iyer (74 off 44), Ravindra Jadeja (45 off 18) and Sanju Samson (39 off 26) were the architects of India’s stunning chase as they sealed another home series victory on Friday.
India vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I: Highlights
India also extended their winning run in T20I cricket to 11 matches, a streak that began at last year’s T20 World Cup. Since then, India have won T20I series 3-0 against New Zealand and West Indies at home.
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 26, 2022
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma also became the most successful T20I captain in home matches, winning 16 in just 17 matches as skipper of the Indian side.
India were in a spot of bother as Sri Lanka pacer Dushmantha Chameera got the early wicket of Rohit Sharma for 1 after captain Dasun Shanaka and Pathum Nissanka tore into the Indian attack in the death overs, collecting 72 runs in the last 4 overs to post a competitive 183/5 on the board.
Sri Lanka rattled India with pace in the powerplay as Chameera and Lahiru Kumara were consistently hitting speeds of 140-plus. Ishan Kishan struggled as well as the left-handed opener fell for 16 from 15 balls after some serious dose of pace from Kumara.
IYER SHINES, SAMSON AND JADEJA FIRE BIG
India were reeling at 44/2 but Shreyas Iyer counter-punched in another extraordinary knock, proving that he is as good a T20 player as he in the longer formats of the game.
Iyer went big from the word go, putting the pressure right back on the Sri Lankan bowlers. Iyer hit 4 sixes and 6 boundaries for his 44-ball 74 as he remained unbeaten and got the team past the finish line.
Sanju Samson, who was playing his first international game in 7 months, took time to get going but he changed the momentum of the chase with a 23-run over against Lahiru Kumara. Samson hit 3 well-timed sixes before getting out in the same over (13th). Samson made 39 from just 26 balls and played a crucial role in the middle order.
Then came Ravindra Jadeja who stole the thunder with a breathtaking knock of 18-ball 45 in which he hit a six and 7 boundaries. Jadeja, who has returned to the senior national side after missing the South Africa tour and the home series against the West Indies, put his hand up for the finisher’s role, giving the Indian team management a healthy headache.