Ravichandran Ashwin stars in India’s comprehensive 9-wicket win against Sri Lanka in 3rd T20I, win series 2-1

India sealed the series with a comfortable 9-wicket win the third and final Twenty 20 International (T20I). Ravichandran Ashwin’s terrific four wicket burst at the start of the innings threw the Sri Lankan side off the rails. By the fourth over of the game, half their side was back in the hut. The lower middle order ensured that the Lankans didn’t get shot out for an embarrassing score. India vs Sri Lanka, as it happened.

Indians approached the chase with a little more sensibility than the visitors, spending time in the middle before going for their shots. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan got off to a sturdy start, not losing many wickets. Dushmanta Chameera effected the wicket of Rohit. Ajinkya Rahane, who could barely get his eye in during this series, teamed up with Dhawan to take India over the line.

Ravichandran Ashwin stars in India’s comprehensive 9-wicket win against Sri Lanka in 3rd T20I, win series 2-1

It took all of three balls to get the first wicket of the game. Niroshan Dickwella got far too ambitious and gave MS Dhoni one of his easier stumpings in his life, as the batsman decided to go big. The pitch was keeping low and spin viciously and senior batsmen like Tillakaratne Dilshan and Dinesh Chandimal should have known better. Instead, they too lost their wickets cheaply. Chandimal in particular got out off an abysmal stroke.
India’s supporting cast did creditably too. Suresh Raina chipped in with a couple of wickets with Ravindra Jadeja, apart from creating a terrific run-out opportunity, got a wicket too. Dhawan got India to the target with a four and a six, completing India’s comeback after a stunning loss in the first game at Pune.