Kishan leads India to thumping T20 win over Sri Lanka

Friday, 25 February 2022 03:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

India’s Ishan Kishan plays a shot during the first T20 International cricket match between India and Sri Lanka at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on 24 February – AFP

Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka plays a shot during the first T20 International cricket match between India and Sri Lanka at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on 24 February – AFP

NEW DELHI (Reuters): India maintained their red-hot form after their top order fired to secure a 62-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Twenty20 International in Lucknow on Thursday.

On a high after blanking West Indies 6-0 in one-dayers and T20 Internationals, the hosts racked up 199-2 riding blistering half-centuries by opener Ishan Kishan and number three batsman Shreyas Iyer.

They returned to restrict Sri Lanka to 137-6, completing a comprehensive victory despite resting Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant and missing Suryakumar Yadav through injury.

Dasun Shanaka won the toss but Sri Lanka immediately found themselves facing a batting onslaught from India openers Kishan and Rohit Sharma.

The left-right combination tore into Sri Lanka’s attack as India cruised past the 100-mark in the 11th over.

The 111-run stand was broken when Lahiru Kumara removed Rohit for 44 but Kishan could not be denied his 50 which came off 30 balls.

Kishan clobbered three sixes and 10 fours in his 89 before Shanaka sent him back but Iyer ensured there was no respite for the Sri Lankans.

The right-hander made an unbeaten 57 at two-runs-a-ball to take India close to the 200-mark.

Smarting from their 4-1 hammering in Australia and missing Wanindu Hasaranga, Kusal Mendis and Maheesh Theekshana, Sri Lanka began their chase poorly.

Pathum Nissanka fell to the first ball from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who went on to remove Kamil Mishara (13) in his next over.

Sri Lanka slumped to 57-4 at the halfway stage and were never really in the contest after their top order crumbled against India’s clinical bowling. Charith Asalanka top-scored with an unbeaten 53 but lack of partnerships hurt Sri Lanka in the one-sided contest. Dhamarsala hosts the next two matches on Saturday and Sunday.

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