Ranchi: A fine all-round performance helped India beat Sri Lanka by 69 runs in the second T20 match in Ranchi on Friday. Shikhar Dhawan, who was awarded man-of-the-match for his scintillating 25-ball 51 runs, said once he started connecting the ball well, it all came together.

Dhawan said that he was happy to have got his first T20 international fifty. “I was hitting the ball well. I like to play my natural game. I got a lot of support from the captain and the coaching staff. We didn't have any specific plan to hit 70 in the first six. Once I started connecting the ball well, it all came together."

Meanwhile, Ashish Nehra said that he would continue playing till his body permitted him to do so. “Everyone knows in the first six overs, the batsmen will come hard at you, especially in a big chase. I may go for a few extra runs, but the idea is to pick wickets. I was waiting for this opportunity for the last few seasons. Till the body holds up, I'm ready to play,” he said.

“Bowling 140 plus hasn't been a problem for me, really. I've been around for a long time and I've seen plenty of good fielders. But to see them all in one group is great fun,” said the veteran bowler.

Fantastic batting display by the Indian top order, including Shikhar Dhawan (51 off 25 balls) and Rohit Sharma (43 of 36 balls), followed by some superb bowling from R Ashwin (3-14) and Ravindra Jadeja (2-24) helped India beat Sri Lanka by 69 runs in the second T20 match in Ranchi on Friday. With this win India also levelled the three-match series 1-1.