Shreyas shines again as India complete Sri Lanka demolition job

The Indian juggernaut rolled on in the final T20I against Sri Lanka in Dharmsala as the Men in Blue completed a routine 3-0 clean sweep to extend their unbeaten run in T20Is to 12 matches, the joint-most for a full member nation. Mohammed Siraj and Avesh Khan started the fireworks for India with a superb opening burst before Shreyas Iyer scored his third half-century of the series to help the hosts chase down Sri Lanka’s 146-run total line inside 17 overs.

Fielding a new-look bowling lineup in the third T20, India enjoyed the perfect start with the ball as Avesh Khan and Mohammed Siraj ripped through the Sri Lankan top-order. The visitors were reduced to 11 for three within the first four overs as Mohammed Siraj got Danushka Gunathilika to drag one onto his stumps before Avesh Khan removed Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka with his extra bounce.

The tourists managed only 18 runs in the powerplay and their struggles worsened by the time the spinners were introduced in the middle overs, as Ravi Bishnoi castled Janith Liyanage with his trademark googly. The Sri Lankan innings was going nowhere at 78 for five after 15 overs, but just as he did in the 2nd T20I on Saturday, Dasun Shanaka (74* off 38) stepped up at the death to perform a stunning rescue act. The captain was the only Sri Lankan batter to finish with a strike rate over 100 and helped the visitors score 56 off the final four overs to propel them to a more respectable total. 

Chasing 147, Sanju Samson accompanied Rohit Sharma at the top of the order after Ishan Kishan was ruled out of the final T20I due to a blow to the helmet on Saturday. Sharma was dismissed by Dushmantha Chameera for a record sixth time in T20Is – top-edging a catch to mid-off while looking to go aerial – while Samson nicked off against Chamika Karunaratne after a steady start. 

However, India were never in too much trouble in the run chase as Shreyas Iyer continued his sublime form in this series, carrying on from where he left off 24 hours earlier. The number three slashed the first two deliveries he faced from Lahiru Kumara to the boundary and milked the Sri Lankan bowlers all across the ground to reach his half-century in just 29 deliveries. 

With India playing one less specialist batter in the final T20I, Iyer assumed the responsibility to take the side home, sharing a 38-run partnership with Deepak Hooda before adding another 45 off 27 alongside Ravindra Jadeja to help the hosts complete another straightforward run-chase and seal the series victory.