Yuvraj, who made a patient 14 in India’s five-wicket over Pakistan, stressed on spending time in the middle. India and Sri Lanka both are two strong competent at their individual levels.
Advertisement
India will be looking to through the Sri Lanka bowling attack as India have struggled against fast bowling on these green pitches in this tournament Nuwan Kulasekara has a very important role to play in their bowling attack with the absence of Lasith Malinga he has to lead the fast bowling attack from the front. MS Dhoni won the toss and invited Sri Lanka to bat. India needs 18 runs in 19 balls. India was in full form by winning 2 of 2 matches.
Yuvraj had targetted left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, smashing him for 13 runs off three balls, including two sixes in the arc between long-on and deep midwicket.
The 34-year-old, who made a comeback in the national T20 team in January this year, shared a 51-run partnership with Virat Kohli (56 not out) to help India overhaul Sri Lanka’s score of 138 for nine. Since recording 52 vs West Indies at Colombo (RPS) on November 11, 2015, he has totalled just 86 runs in seven innings – the scores being 0, 28, 0, 1, 27, 12 & 18.
Chasing a tricky 138/9, India lost openers Shikhar Dhawan (1) and Rohit Sharma (15) early before Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina came to the rescue.
– Sri Lanka have managed 47 for the loss of three wickets in the first ten overs – their second lowest after 10 overs when batting first. My job was to play according to the situation in the last two games and I am happy with the way I am hitting the ball.
Dinesh Chandimal (4) tried to make room by pushing towards leg-stump but the wily Nehra followed him by pitching one on the length that took an inside edge to land in Dhoni’s gloves.
M S Dhoni brings India one step closer to the victory by hitting a trademark six against Siriwardana.
Advertisement
Dhoni, who had earlier termed Hardik Pandya as a “Game Changer”, said that his all-round presence has lend the side necessary balance going into World T20. Raina was undone by a shorter delivery of Dasun Shanaka and his mistimed lofted shot found Kulasekara at the mid-off. Chamara Kapugedera top-scored for Sri Lanka with 30, before late blows from Thisara Perera and Nuwan Kulasekara propelled the team to what was a half-decent score, given the conditions, but ultimately not enough to seriously challenge a strong Indian batting line-up.
