Navdeep Saini and Shardul Thakur were the pick of the bowlers for India in the 7-wicket win over Sri Lanka in 2nd T20I. The match also saw Jasprit Bumrah mark his return to international cricket, having been out since August last yearThe target of 143 runs was chased down easily, with KL Rahul leading the charge from the top. At a venue which is branded as 'batting heaven', the Indian bowlers asserted their authority on the field once again in 7-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the 2nd T20I at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. The match also saw Jasprit Bumrah make his first international appearance since August 2019 but the tricky speedster was outshone by the performances of Navdeep Saini and Sharul Thakur on Tuesday.
It was Washinton Sundar who drew first blood for India with the wicket of Avishka Fernando before Navdeep Saini bagged his first wicket with an unplayable 147kmph yorker to Danushka Gunathilaka.
With Saini looking unplayable from one end of the pitch, the Lankans took charge against Kuldeep and hit him for a few boundaries but also lost two prized wickets of Oshada Fernando and Kusal Perera in the process. Saini returned to remove Bhanuka Rajapaksa to and produced world-class figures of 2 for 18 in his quota of four overs.
Shardul Thakur practically removed the entire Sri Lankan tail as he bagged three wickets in the same over to produce extremely economical figures of 3 for 23 in his quota of four overs. Much focus was on Bumrah for the match but he was a little expensive (as per his own standards) with figures of 1 for 32.
Chasing the target of 143, the hosts got off to a brilliant start, with KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan leading the charge at the top. Rahul produced a quick-fire knock of 32-ball 45 with the help of 6 boundaries while Dhawan opted for the patient approach in his 29-ball 32. Giving another fine example of his credentials as an opener, Rahul put his case forward once again, proving why he deserves to open the innings alongside Rohit Sharma, who is unarguably the No. 1 choice opening batsman for the Men in Blue, even in a case where Dhawan is fully fit.
Shreyas Iyer was promoted at the No. 3 spot by skipper Virat Kohli who himself came in at No. 4. The duo of Iyer and Kohli hardly looked set to be taking India home before the former was dismissed trying to clear the ropes on a bouncer. Rishabh Pant came in at No. 5 and ensured that India secured the win without losing any more wickets.
The third and final T20I between India and Sri Lanka will be played on Friday at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
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