Team India locked horns with the Sri Lankan cricket team in the first of the three-match T20I series at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka won the toss and invited the Men in Blue to bat first.
The Men in Blue literally looked uncomfortable as they lost the top-order batters namely Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson for single-digit scores. However, Ishan Kishan ensured to tick the flow of runs at the top of the order.
The southpaw scored 37 off 29 balls including three fours and two sixes. On the other side of the coin, Hardik Pandya chipped in with 29 off 27 whereas Deepak Hooda was the pick of the batters for India.
Hooda scored 41 off 23 balls with the help of 1 four and 4 sixes at a strike rate of 178.26. Axar Patel looked good for his 31 off 20 balls including three fours and a six. In the end, the hosts finished at 162 for the loss of 5 wickets in their quota of 20 overs.
Team India beat Sri Lanka by 2 runs in the T20I opener
The Sri Lankan cricket team did put up a great fight in the run-chase as they nearly pulled off the ropes but lost the game by a whisker of two runs. Just like Team India, Sri Lanka ran through a top-order batting collapse.
However, Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka did showcase his mettle by scoring 45 off 27 balls where he led the batting attack by example by smashing three fours and as many sixes during his stay at the crease.
However, Umran Malik got the prized wicket of the Sri Lankan skipper at the right time to put Team India on the front foot. In the end, India managed to overcome the challenges as they beat the visitors by two runs.
They took the first lead in the series and are just a win away from winning the T20I series. The second T20I between India and Sri Lanka will kick off on January 5 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune.
hardik pandya leading like mahi way
— LostLucifer😈 (@AnkitCh14211346) January 3, 2023
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Axar Patel defended 13 runs in the final over even after going for a 6 in the 3rd ball. pic.twitter.com/HraCOq8atr
Advertisement— ÅDÑÃN KHÄÑ (@DNKH48595079) January 3, 2023
What A match pic.twitter.com/blW5yKBhF6
— Dinesh LiLawat (@ImDL45) January 3, 2023
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Hardik Pandya's captaincy made the difference in the end. We should to say this last in Dhoni era. 👍🏻
Advertisement— yash (@yash_agr20) January 3, 2023
Hard winning🏆💪
— piyush kumar (@bpiyush_kumar1) January 3, 2023
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Congratulations 🎉@TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/zEp5Q7Powb
Advertisement— 🇮🇳Nirupam🇮🇳 (@JhaNirupam) January 3, 2023
155kmph😎 pic.twitter.com/dGaZBbmqE6
— Shreya❣️(Fan Account 👑) (@Here4VK18) January 3, 2023
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Terrfic captaincy by Hardik Pandya👌
AdvertisementGreat start to the year for team India.
Well done Shivam Mavi ❤️#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/kRZQ8MDIHK
Advertisement— DK (@DineshKarthik) January 3, 2023
A home World Cup year starts with India beating Sri Lanka at the Wankhede.. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/op6PHhoLQ6
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 3, 2023
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That's that from the 1st T20I.#TeamIndia win by 2 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the series.
AdvertisementScorecard – https://t.co/uth38CaxaP #INDvSL @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/BEU4ICTc3Y
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2023
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Axar bapu 🔥
AdvertisementIndia beat Sri Lanka by 2 runs in the 1st T2OI at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
India takes 1-0 lead in the 3-match series
Advertisement#INDvSL #UmranMalik #ShivamMavi pic.twitter.com/oPNjSyO3Ns
— Shubhankar Mishra (@shubhankrmishra) January 3, 2023
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Hardik pandya to SL after giving last over to Axar Patel#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/koylGjlDzw
Advertisement— jugal.gaud (@im_gaud) January 3, 2023
