If I was to define India’s performance in the second T20 match at Ranchi, I would say “Welcome to India, Sri Lanka!”
It all started with the first ball of the match when Rohit Sharma hit the first ball of the match for four…just like another Indian Opener did for a long time!!!
Both Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma got India of to a great start, especially Dhawan, who was in tremendous form and was finding the middle of his bat for almost every ball. Dhawan got his maiden T20 fifty with a striker rate of over 200!
Once the openers perished, India slowed down a bit for a few overs as the new pair found it a bit tough to get going. Ajinkya Rahane, who was trying to prove his worth and seal his place in the Xl, somehow could not make the best out of the opportunity as she got out for 25 off 21 balls.
Then Pandya and Raina started building a partnership and both were in full song. Pandya hit Senanayakee with ease in the 16th over and Raina punished Chameera in the very next over. Unfortunately both of them fell on successive deliveries in the next over with Yuvraj Singh being the final victim of the hat trick completed by Thisara Perera. India finally finished at 196-6.
Srilanka got off terrible start as they lost three wickets in first four overs .
Kapugendra and Chandimal built put up a bit of a fight as they tried and stabilised the innings but the run rate kept creeping up. They tried adding some quick runs after a well made 50 but perished in doing so. Their young and inexperienced middle order tried to hit a few cameos but it was a little too late. Sri Lanka din’t get bowled out but finished their innings at 127/9 And lost by 69 runs.
Shikhar Dhawan was awarded the man-of-the match award for his quick fire 51 and India levelled the series 1-1.
