Team India started their 2023 journey with a 2-1-win series win over Sri Lanka. Under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya, the Men in Blue did not have the services of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer.
Rahul Tripathi, Shubman Gill, and Shivam Mavi were impressed with their performances as they made their debuts in this series. The first two matches were closely fought affairs before the Indian team produced a dominating performance in deciding T20I match to seal another series win on home soil.
Here we look at the 3 Takeaways for Team India from the T20I series against Sri Lanka:
- Surya Kumar Yadav’s impressive batting
Surya Kumar Yadav continued from where he left in 2022. After the failure in the first T20I match, he produced sensible innings in the 2nd match at Pune. As wickets fell from another end, Surya looked cautious before smashing Lankan bowlers. He completed his half-century and was eventually dismissed for 51. Surya and Axar Patel added 91 runs for the 6th wicket.
Surya came to the crease in the 3rd T20I match at 53 for 2 after the dismissal of Rahul Tripathi. He looked in sensational touch putting pressure on Lankan bowlers with innovative shots. The number 1 ranked batter in the T20I format completed half-century off 26 balls. He then dispatched Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground and reached his 3rd T20I century off just 45 deliveries. During his unbeaten 112 off 51 balls, Surya smacked 9 sixes and 6 fours. He was named the player of the match for his brilliant knock.
- Axar Patel’s all-round performance
Axar Patel had a dream series for Team India in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. With India struggling at 94 for 5 in the first match at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, Axar produced magical innings with an unbeaten 31 off 20 balls along with Deepak Hooda. Patel and Hooda put on unbeaten 68 runs for the 6th wicket. The left-handed batter with 3 fours and 1 six.
Despite going for a six, Axar Patel held onto his nerves in the final over to help India register a thrilling 2-run win. The second T20I at MCA Stadium, Pune saw Patel show his class with the ball giving away just 24 runs and picking up 2 wickets as the rest of the bowlers went for runs.
Chasing down a massive total of 207 runs, India looked in deep trouble at 57 for 5, Axar Patel came to the crease and showed his class with explosive hitting. He reached his fifty off 20 balls and was eventually dismissed for 65 off 31 deliveries with 3 fours and 6 sixes.
Axar Patel provided the impetus in the final T20I match at Rajkot. He scored an unbeaten 21 off 8 balls and helped India post a massive total of 228 for 5. Axar showed his prowess by getting the breakthrough by getting rid of Kusal Mendis.
Axar was named the player of the series award for his 117 runs and 3 wickets. With Ravindra Jadeja being not there, he has taken his opportunity with both hands.
- Umran Malik’s bowling
Umran Malik finished as the leading wicket-taker in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. The Jammu and Kashmir express pace bowler proved his worth with a decent bowling spell in the first T20I match. He got rid of Charith Asalanaka with a quick delivery. He became the fastest delivery bowled by an Indian with 155 KMPH to dismiss Dasun Shanaka. Malik ended with figures of 2 for 27in 4 overs.
The second T20I match at Pune was another impressive performance. He shattered the stumps of Bhaunka Rajapaksa. He then dismissed the dangerous Charith Asalanaka. Malik then produced another beauty to dismiss Hasranaga. Malik went for runs in the death overs and ended with figures of 3 for 48 in 4 overs.
Malik proved his worth in the 3rd T20I also. He dismissed Hasranaga with a simple catch to Deepak Hooda and bowled a beauty to dismiss Theekshana. Malik ended with figures of 2 for 31 in 3 overs.
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