With that, our coverage of the second T20I comes to an end, and boy were we treated to another cracker of a contest between the two neighbours who have a combined total of 13 Asian titles between them. The teams travel north to Rajkot in Gujarat for the series decider, and the Sri Lankans will fancy their chances of pulling off a series win after performing the way they did in Pune in the hour of need.
On behalf of my colleagues at the sports desk at Firstpost, this is Amit signing off, bidding you all good night!
Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka is the Player of the Match for his unbeaten 56 off just 22 balls as well as for the final over in which he gave away just four runs while accounting for both Axar Patel and Shivam Mavi’s wickets.
What it all came down to in the end
No balls was the difference between ?? falling behind today #INDvSL
Some fightback it was from Axar, SKY and Mavi
Most runs added by India after losing 5th wicket in a T20I innings:
133 – v SL at Pune, today101 – v NZ at Christchurch, 200998 – v AUS at Bridgetown, 201092 – v SA at Indore, 2022#INDvSL
Did you know: This is Sri Lanka’s first T20I win against the Men in Blue on their own turf in 13 attempts! The last time they had won a T20I against India in India was all the way back in 2016, at this very venue.
Sri Lanka vs India Live Score
After 20 overs,India 190/8 ( Umran Malik 1 , )
Skipper Dasun Shanaka delivers the knockout punch in the end after starring with the bat earlier in the game, bowling out a quality final over at a time when both Axar and Mavi had been smashing fours and sixes and were in red-hot form. Shanaka ends up dismissing both in a space of four deliveries, and unlike the Indians in the last three overs during their innings, doesn’t give away any freebies or concede no-balls.
Sri Lanka deservingly are the winners in the end, levelling the three-match series in style with the next game at Rajkot effectively becoming a decider!
OUT! Turns out to be a double-wicket over for Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka, with Shivam Mavi getting caught by Theekshana near the extra cover/mid off region as Sri Lanka level the series with a 16-run win in Pune! India 190/8
Mavi c Theekshana b Shanaka 26(15)
IND vs SL 2nd T20I LIVE Cricket Score
OUT! So near, yet so far for Axar Patel, who looks to smash a wide full toss down the ground, but is caught at long off with Karunaratne pulling off a good catch running to his right. That should be it for India, unless Shanaka ends up bowling a host of no-balls as well. IND 189/7; need 18 off 3
Axar c Karunaratne b Shanaka 65(31)
IND vs SL 2nd T20I Live Score
Dasun Shanaka to bowl the final over. Shivam Mavi on strike.
IND vs SL Live Score
FOUR! Axar smashes a full toss from Rajitha straight down the ground, leaving Team India 21 to win off the last six deliveries!