SKY century leads India to commanding series win over Sri Lanka

Suryakumar Yadav sparkled with the bat once again to lead India to a mammoth 91-run victory over Sri Lanka in the third T20I, sealing a 2-1 series victory in Rajkot on Saturday night. The number one ranked T20I batter notched his third T20I century in just 45 deliveries, taking the hosts to a commanding total of 228 for five. Sri Lanka crumbled under the pressure of the target in response, falling for 137 in 16.4 overs to give the hosts a resounding win at home.

India lost Ishan Kishan in the first over of their innings after opting to bat, but Rahul Tripathi showcased some impressive intent to keep the runs flowing in the powerplay. The number three took on Maheesh Theekshana and Chamika Karunaratne in a power-packed cameo of 35 from 16 that took India to 53 for two at the end of the powerplay. Tripathi’s dismissal in the sixth over brought Suryakumar Yadav to the crease, and the star batter wasted no time in going after the Sri Lankan bowlers.

Yadav got going with a trademark six over square leg and pummelled every part of the boundary to score another scintillating century. The number four added nine sixes and unfurled the full range of his 360-degree skill set to score the second-fastest ton by an Indian in T20Is, taking just 45 deliveries to reach the three-figure mark. SKY added 111 runs alongside Shubman Gill to set up the Indian innings for a grandstand finish and also accompanied Axar Patel at the death, who smashed 21 runs in nine deliveries to take the Men in Blue to 228 for five in their 20 overs.

In reply, Sri Lanka started on the front foot. 31 runs came off the first three overs, as Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis swung hard against the Indian seamers. However, Axar Patel broke the partnership in the fifth over with the wicket of Kusal Mendis and Arshdeep Singh surprised Nissanka with a well-directed bouncer to start the Sri Lankan slide. Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, and Dasun Shanaka all made small contributions throughout the middle period, but India continued to pick up wickets at regular intervals to stay in front.

Yuzvendra Chahal became India’s joint-highest wicket-taker in T20Is with his pair of scalps. Umran Malik and Hardik Pandya also chipped in with a pair of wickets before Arshdeep Singh finished the game in the 17^th over, dismissing Sri Lanka for a paltry 137 to give India a 2-1 series victory.