India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh emerged as unexpected bowling heroes, with Washington Sundar providing the finishing touches, to secure a thrilling win in the Super Over in the third T20I at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
In a series dominated by high stakes, Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir’s new era kicked off with a 3-0 T20I series sweep over Sri Lanka. Despite making four changes to the winning combination, India’s high-risk, high-reward strategy paid dividends.
Chasing 138, Sri Lankan openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis set a strong foundation with a 58-run partnership. However, Ravi Bishnoi’s breakthrough in the ninth over, followed by dismissing Mendis (43), reignited India’s hopes.
Washington Sundar’s crucial scalps of Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka in consecutive deliveries shifted momentum in India’s favor. With Sri Lanka needing nine runs off 12 balls, Suryakumar Yadav gambled on Rinku Singh, who delivered by dismissing Kusal Perera (46) and Ramesh Mendis (3), reducing the equation to six runs in six balls.
Suryakumar then took matters into his own hands, claiming two wickets and bringing the equation down to three runs off the final ball. Chamindu Wickramasinghe’s double off the last ball took the game to a Super Over.
Washington Sundar’s magic restricted Sri Lanka to just two runs in the Super Over, dismissing Mendis and Nissanka. Suryakumar Yadav’s sweep shot sealed the victory, completing the whitewash.
Batting first, India struggled at 35/4 by the end of the powerplay, with Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Maheesh Theekshana wreaking havoc early. Suryakumar Yadav’s dismissal to Asitha Fernando and Matheesha Pathirana’s injury further pressured India.
Shubman Gill and Riyan Parag’s 50-run partnership provided some stability before Wanindu Hasaranga’s double strike. Washington Sundar’s cameo of 25 runs helped India post a total of 137/9.
Brief Scores:
India: 137/9 (Shubman Gill 39, Riyan Parag 26; Maheesh Theekshana 3-28)
Sri Lanka: 137/8 (Kusal Perera 46, Kusal Mendis 43; Rinku Singh 2-3, Suryakumar Yadav 2-5)
