IND vs SL Highlights: A lethal spell from debutant Shivam Mavi (4/22) and a late blitz Deepak Hooda (41 runs of just 23 balls) and Axar Patel (20-ball 31) helped team India outclass Sri Lanka by 2 runs in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai on Tuesday. By the virtue of this win, India now have 1-0 lead over the Lankan Lions.
Team India's top order looked clueless tonight against the new ball as the hosts were outclassed by lethal bowling from the Lanka Lions at the high-scoring Wankhede Stadium. Half of the Indian team were sent back to the pavilion by Sri Lanka before they could even score 100 runs. India were 94/5 in 14.1 overs. A quick half-century partnership between Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel for the sixth wicket gave hosts a fighting chance and helped them put a decent 162-run total on board. Hooda scored 41 runs of just 23 balls with help of 1 four and 4 sixes. His partner Axar Patel played a handy innings of 31 runs off 20 balls, which included 3 fours and 1 six.
Sri Lankan spinners restrict India to 162/5
Asked to bat first after losing the toss, team India were off to a shaky start. Shubman Gill (7), playing debut T20 match, was trapped in front of the stumps for an LBW out by mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana.
India lost their second wicket in form of their best T20 batter Suryakumar Yadav (7) who too perished cheaply. Sanum Samson (5), who gets picked rarely for international matches, wasted another opportunity by playing a slog off Dhananjaya de Silva.
Hooda came out to bat at number 6 after quick dismissals of skipper Hardik Pandya (29 off 27) and Ishan Kishan (37 off 29). Hooda changed the course of the innings with some quick runs and got good support from Axar as the duo helped India post a decent 162 for five in the first T20I on Tuesday.