Rohit’s 83-run innings, two fifties, 16 fours and seven sixes are all the most in the India-Bangladesh T20I matches. India have also opted to rest regular limited overs bowlers Bhuvaneswar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
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India may have been more ambitious during their Powerplay, but had been prevented from attacking by Sri Lanka’s opening bowlers, who each took a wicket in their first over. Shikhar Dhawan scored highest 90 runs for the team India. Dhawan then gave the innings a much needed move on with the help of Manish Pandey (37 off 35) as they shared a 95-run stand.
Perera, who had suffered a side strain while batting in Sri Lanka’s third ODI of the tri-nation series against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, also said that he is totally fit now.
Having faced Sri Lanka in 18 worldwide matches this season (6Tests, 8 ODIs and 4 T20 Internationals) on home and away basis, another face-off awaits the players as the two sides lock horns in a T20 contest. The captain believes the batting could have offered a bit more especially in the final overs despite calling India’s total par for the wicket.
Debutant Vijay Shankar remained wicket-less and was hit for 15 runs in his two overs.
Kusal Perera and Gunathilaka began to up the ante after Mendis was gone as they amassed a 58-run partnership in 21 balls before Gunathilaka was caught by Pant at mid-off off the bowling of Jaydev Unadkat for 19. “If at all there is any update on the same we shall notify”, the BCCI said in a statement on Tuesday.
74 players have now played T20Is for India.
Upul Tharanga tried to keep the wickets at one end but could only score 17 runs off 18 balls with a six. But now India have a chance to regroup and get the win against Bangladesh, an opposition who they face in the 2nd T20I on Thursday.
In the limited opportunities that Pandey has got, he has proved himself and this is the tournament where he can get an extended run.
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India got off to a bad start as Dushmantha Chameera removed captain Rohit Sharma for a duck off the fourth ball of the first over. “Kusal Perera played a really good knock to take the game away from us”, he said.
