Surya and Rinku turned out to be ‘men with golden arm’ as the Lankans, chasing a target of 138, seemed firmly in control at 110 for 1 in 15.1 overs but collapsed to 137 for 8, losing seven wickets for 27 runs in remaining 4.5 overs.
India skipper Suryakumar and Rinku were pivotal in the triumph. While Suryakumar bowled the 20th over, defending six runs successfully by taking two wickets in his first two balls, Rinku Singh, in a pressure-filled 19th over, bagged two crucial wickets, including that of Kusal Perera, when Sri Lanka needed just nine runs from 12 balls.
The two incredible overs from Rinku and Surya stopped the Lankans on 137, taking the game into the Super Over.
The Super Over tehn saw Washington Sundar shine, giving away only two runs and taking two wickets.
As It Happened
Suryakumar then sealed the win with a sweeping shot on the first ball he faced in the Super Over.
No amount of credit is enough for the new India leader Suya, who came into the bowl in the 20th over with six runs to defend and got two wickets in his first two balls.
Rinku, bowling for the first time in T20Is, was critical in removing Perera, who scored 46 runs.
The Rinku strike came just when Sri Lanka appeared to have the match secured.
India were reeling after Khaleel Ahmed’s expensive 18th over containing six wides, but Rinku and Suryakumar brought the game back to life.
Earlier, when Kusal Mendis (43), Pathum Nissanka (26), and Perera (46) were in cruise control mode with stands of 58 and 52 for the first and second wicket stands, the story looked different. However, just like winning, losing is also a habit and the Islanders have caught that bad bug.
For Suryakumar, the series turned out to be a dream affair and he contributed significantly to India’s success.
His strategic move of introducing Rinku in the 19th over also brought a wide grin on head coach Gautam Gambhir’s face.
Sri Lankan spinners effectively restrained the Indian batters on a pitch offering significant turn and variable bounce. Despite losing early wickets, India managed to post 137 for 9, with Shubman Gill (39 off 37 balls) and Riyan Parag (26 off 18 balls) stitching a 54-run partnership for the sixth wicket after being down at 48 for 5.
Prior to the partnership, India struggled with their shot selection, resulting in the dismissal of key players.
Sanju Samson scored his second consecutive duck, getting out to a desperate slog off debutant Chamindu Wickramasinghe.
Rinku, struggling to replicate his success from the first season, suffered a momentary lapse, leading to his dismissal. Suryakumar also failed to capitalize, while Shivam Dube couldn’t effectively tackle the deliveries that moved away from him.
Despite the challenges, Gill adjusted his play style, curbing his natural attacking instincts, and Parag showcased his potential with explosive shots. Highlights of their partnership included Gill’s inside-out boundary over covers and Parag’s back-to-back sixes off Wanindu Hasaranga.
Both, however, fell attempting glory shots.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, missed the services of their premier pacer Matheesha Pathirana due to a shoulder injury.
Skipper Charith Asalanka effectively used their four-pronged spin attack, maintaining pressure on Indian batsmen and taking wickets at regular intervals.
