Bowlers, de Silva deliver series-levelling four-wicket win

Bowlers delivered a series-leveling win for Sri Lanka as the hosts sealed a four-wicket win after chasing down India's 132 in the second T20I. With several players in isolation after Krunal Pandya's positive COVID-19 test, India handed four debuts - Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Rana and Chetan Sakariya - in the clash to field an eleven.

Gaikwad, Dhawan start steady

Given India were playing only five specialist batsmen, it was expected that the top order will opt for a cautious approach. In fact, India made a brisk start with 27 runs scored in the first three overs. However, on a used pitch, the batsmen found it hard to get going. As the scoring rate dropped, both Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shikhar Dhawan struggled to time their shots. The former fell first but India had managed to scored 49 in the opening seven overs.

Sri Lanka claw back in the middle overs

The opening wicket meant Sri Lanka were able to put Dhawan under more pressure. With plenty of turn on offer, both Dhawan and Devdutt Padikkal tried to keep the scoreboard moving without taking a lot of risk. However, that also led to Dhawan getting bogged down and scoring at less than six runs per over.

India had 81 for 1 on the board in 12 overs when Dhawan missed a slog sweep against Akhila Dananjaya and was bowled for 40 off 42. While Padikkal looked good during his 23-ball 29, he was bowled trying to sweep Wanindu Hasaranga.

India's disappointing finish

India had 94 for 2 in 15 overs but managed just 38 in the last five. Padikkal's wicket meant Sri Lanka were able to tighten the noose even further. Sanju Samson struggled his way to 7 off 13 while Nitish Rana, another debutant on the night, fell for 9 off 12. Bhuvneshwar Kumar made 13 off 11 to ensure the bowlers had something to work with. India were able to manage just eight boundaries in the innings - the lowest they've managed in a T20I after batting all 20 overs.

Kuldeep shows his worth

Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Avishka Fernando early in the chase while Varun Chakravarthy bowled Sadeera Samarawickrama for 8. Sri Lanka were 39 for 2 in seven overs and Kuldeep Yadav continued to pile on the pressure. He struck in his second over - the tenth of the innings - to remove Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka. In the 12th over, Minod Bhanuka was dropped on the first ball but slog-swept the fourth ball straight to deep square leg. However, Kuldeep's final over went for 15 and spoiled his figures a bit but the spinner ensured India stayed in the game right till the end.

Hasaranga's counterattack

In the final six overs, Sri Lanka needed 46 to level the series. Hasaranga and Dhananjaya de Silva were involved in a 28-run stand off 20 balls to ensure Sri Lanka were back on track. Hasaranga made 15 off 11 but fell in the 15th to Rahul Chahar to bring India back in the game.

The story of last five overs

In the last five, Sri Lanka needed 39 runs. However, Hasaranga's wicket meant India were still in the game. Dhawan brought back Bhuvneshwar and the pacer gave away just five in the 16th. Chakravarthy bowled the 17th as Sri Lanka scored another six to leave 28 off 18. Chetan Sakariya picked up his maiden wicket on the second ball of the 18th as he dismissed Ramesh Mendis but leaked a boundary to ensure Sri Lanka kept inching towards the total. Bhuvneshwar's third ball in the 19th was struck for a six as de Silva and Chamika Karunaratne eased the side home.

Brief scores: India 132/5 in 20 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 40; Akila Dananjaya 2-29) lost to Sri Lanka 133/6 in 19.4 overs (Dhananjaya de Silva 40*; Kuldeep Yadav 2-30) by four wickets.