IND vs SL 2023: Sri Lanka survive Axar Patel scare to level series

After seeing the level of competition in the first T20I, the second game too was expected to be a thriller. After a sluggish start, Indian batters put up a thrilling performance but Sri Lanka outperformed to bounce back stronger and leveled the series by winning the second game by 16 runs at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium (MCA) in Pune. 

At what was said to be a batter-friendly pitch, Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bowl first. Sanju Samson’s injury led to him being ruled out of the remainder of the series, and Rahul Tripathi earned his T20I debut. Looking at how Indian bowlers handled pressure in the previous game, the fans had anticipated another similar show, but Sri Lankan batters had come prepared.

Arshdeep Singh gave away three no-balls in just the second over of the game, which let the Sri Lankan openers score 19 runs off it. Five bowlers were deployed within the powerplay, but none could take the rival openers down as the Islanders put up 55 runs in the powerplay. It was late in the ninth over that Yuzvendra Chahal got India the crucial breakthrough by dismissing Kusal Mendis.

Umran Malik soon sent Bhanuka Rajapaksa packing in the very next over, but Sri Lanka still were dominant till the first half of the innings. Axar Patel managed to pick up two wickets in his final two overs, but the Sri Lankan batters had a solution to every Team India’s strategy. Charith Asalanka’s quick-fire 19-ball 37 and skipper Dasun Shanaka’s carnage (56* off 22) in the death overs led to Sri Lanka posting 206/6 on the scoreboard in their allotted 20 overs.

Sri Lanka let the innings loose, but regain momentum to win the game

India’s start to the chase was terrible, as openers Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill walked back in the second over, courtesy of Kasun Rajitha. To add to their misery, Dilshan Madushanka sent debutant Tripathi packing in the next over as India were reduced to 27/3 at the end of the third over. Skipper Hardik Pandya too failed to impress and was dismissed in the fifth over scoring a run-a-ball 12 as the Men in Blue ended the powerplay scoring 39 runs at the loss of four major wickets.

Lat game’s hero Deepak Hooda too gave away his wicket cheaply, but it was the partnership between Axar Patel and Suryakumar Yadav that brought India back in the game. They built up the innings steadily, but went berserk in the 14^th over, and hit Wanindu Hasaranga for 26 runs in the over, including four sixes. They kept the momentum going and got 15 runs off the next over.

The duo claimed their respective half-centuries and added 91 runs in just 40 deliveries for the sixth-wicket partnership. Even after Yadav’s dismissal, Patel kept going and Shivam Mavi joined him in the fireworks. The game came down to the final over, when India required 21 to win, and Sri Lanka took a risk by giving the ball to Dasun Shanaka for his first over of the game.

India were alive in the game because of Axar Patel, but his innings came to an end in the final over when Shanaka managed to dismiss him. Patel played a brilliant innings, scoring 65 runs off 31 deliveries, including three fours and six sixes, but his wicket put curtains to India’s hopes of winning the game and Sri Lanka claimed a 16-run victory to level the series.

Here's how Twitter reacted:

Terrific effort from @akshar2026, @surya_14kumar & @ShivamMavi23 but it was the day of the Lankan tigers!! Well played Sri Lanka 👏🏽 #TeamIndia let’s bounce back in Rajkot!! #INDvSL

— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) January 5, 2023

Congratulations @dasunshanaka1 for scoring the fastest T20 fifty by a Sri Lankan and to the team for a fantastic win !

— Sanath Jayasuriya (@Sanath07) January 5, 2023

No balls was the difference between 🇮🇳 falling behind today #INDvSL

— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) January 5, 2023

A game to remember for Shanaka. Good contributions from Mendis, Asalanka, Rajitha and Madushanka.
Good job boys🇱🇰❤️
And what an entertaining partnership that was from Axar and SKY👌
A great game of cricket🙌#INDvSL

— Lasith Malinga (@malinga_ninety9) January 5, 2023

Surya has been a delight to watch. #ClassAct #INDvSL

— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) January 5, 2023

Well done guys 👏🏼 super stuff from @dasunshanaka1 @KusalMendis13 Charith at the same time That was tremendous effort from india Where they were @surya_14kumar & @akshar2026 👏🏼#INDvSL

— Dimuth Karunarathna (@IamDimuth) January 5, 2023

Great hitting from both @dasunshanaka1 and #axarpatel proper viewing. #INDvSL

— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) January 5, 2023

Oh Baapu shu vaat che @akshar2026 👏

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 5, 2023

It’s incredible to have the inside out shot over covers as your release shot- SKY🔥#SLvsIND

— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny) January 5, 2023

Bilateral Series has become too friendly dis days. May be unpopular observation from my side but I genuinely feel we need to be more ruthless in our approach on the field till the match gets over irrespective of the result sometimes #INDvSL

— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) January 5, 2023

Magnificent display of power hitting by Dasun Shanaka👏Definitely one of the best T20 finishers in the game.
Congratulations for scoring the fastest T20I 50 for SL🇱🇰
His recent performances scream of an IPL contract and I will be surprised if he doesn’t land on one soon!#INDvSL

— Lasith Malinga (@malinga_ninety9) January 5, 2023

Kasun Rajitha and the love affair with Pune continues. #IndvSL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 5, 2023

That’s a wonderful finish and not for the first time .. outstanding from @dasunshanaka1 #INDvSL 👏👏👏

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) January 5, 2023

Stay inside the line.. be it while bowling or at the non strikers end 🤪 #INDvsSL #cricket

— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) January 5, 2023

For Better Experience: Download CricTracker Mobile App