IND vs SL HIGHLIGHTS, 3rd T20: India beats Sri Lanka by 91 runs; wins series 2-1; Suryakumar hits hundred

I have fun when I bat and am pleased when I succeed. I didn’t change anything for this series, other than the fact that the captain greatly boosted my confidence in the dugout. He tells me to have fun and that he is there to watch out for me. In team meetings, we do a lot of planning, but sometimes things go wrong, so I just concentrate on carrying out my ideas effectively.

It is really important to put pressure on yourself when you are preparing for the game. There is a lot of hard work involved which also has quality practice sessions. You should know what your game is and then prepare according to that. The boundaries behind were 59-60m, so I tried to clear them. There are a few shots that are pre-determined but you have to be ready for other shots too. Dravid just lets me enjoy it. He tells me to express myself.

Rohit Sharma vs Sri Lanka, 10 sixes

Suryakumar Yadav vs Sri Lanka, 9 sixes*

KL Rahul vs Sri Lanka, 8 sixes

Before coming here, I was not in form. I am happy and somewhat satisfied with my own performance. There were a lot of positives, in the way the boys fought in this series. I had a finger injury (on not bowling enough)I didn’t bowl in this series but looking forward to bowling in the ODIs. Wishing the Indian team well, especially Suryakumar.

India wins the series 2-1. This is Hardik Pandya’s third series win as a captain.

OUT! Captain Shanaka is immediately sent back to the pavilion as Arshdeep Singh replaces Hardik Pandya in the attack. He attempts to hit the ball over the straight V, but it went high and didn’t travel very far, landing directly in Axar Patel’s hands. OUT! Done! Madushanka, Sri Lanka’s last batsman, was unable to make much of an impact as Arshdeep cleans up his wicket to end the series 2-1 with a crushing 91-run victory over Sri Lanka.

Shanaka c Axar b Arshdeep Singh 23(17) [6s-2]; Madushanka b Arshdeep Singh 1(2)

Umran starts the over with a fiery delivery close to 150 kmph. He cleans up Theekshana’s stumps with a straight, low bowl to claim his second victim of the match. Theekshana was utterly duped by a stunning low-pitched ball. Rajitha, who came in at the number 10, swings his bat and scores two back-to-back FOURS off Umran’s deliveries.

Theekshana b Umran Malik 2(5)

Hardik Pandya replaces Umran Malik and the captain strikes yet again! A slower, middle-line ball goes straight away to the pads of Karunaratne and the umpire waste no time in giving the decision the favour of the fielding team. Karunaratne reviews this but it is plumb out and he has to go back with a personal score of 0.

Karunaratne lbw b Hardik Pandya 0(2)

An expensive over from Chahal, who continued from one end. Sri Lanka’s only hope, Dasun Shanaka hits him for two SIXES, taking 15 runs off the over.

Umran Malik replaces Axar from the other end. Much better line and length from him as he only gave two single in the first four deliveries. Hasaranga tries to clear the mid-off fielder and he is successful in doing that and as a result the ball races to the boundary. Hasaranga, not so lucky this time as he tries to hit Umran for another boundary but gave his catch to Deepak Hooda, who picks up an easy catch.

Hasaranga c Hooda b Umran Malik 9(8) [4s-1]

Chahal continues from one end and picks up another wicket! An outside leg pitching delivery and Dhananjaya slog sweeps but it went straight to Shubman Gill on the fine leg. Seven runs from the over, a successful one for India.

A brilliant over from Axar, just three of it as the require rate jumped to 14!

Yuvendra Chahal comes into the attack for Umran and picks up a wicket in his first over! A lofted delivery to Asalanka and he hits near the boundary but Mavi covers a lot of ground to complete a wonderful catch! OUT! Sri Lanka lost its 4th wicket in the first 10 over.

Asalanka c Shivam Mavi b Chahal 19(14) [4s-2 6s-1]

Axar joins from the other end and Asalanka sweeps him over the deep square leg for a maximum. Nothing much from the over after that as Sri Lanka takes 10 off it.

Umran Malik comes into the attack and replaces Arshdeep Singh. He starts well to contain the batters for the first four deliveries, giving only three singles off it. He lacks discipline in the last two deliveries as he bowls two wides and a no ball, which resulted in a boundary in the free hit delivery. A much needed 15 runs over for Sri Lanka.

Troubles continue for Sri Lanka as it lost its third wicket in the form of Avishka Fernando, who tried to clear the fence at fine-leg with a pull shot against a half-pitched delivery of Hardik Pandya but Arshdeep Singh was strategically placed there to do his job and he makes no mistake to complete the catch. The third wicket fell as Sri Lanka is making things difficult for them.

Avishka Fernando c Arshdeep Singh b Hardik Pandya 1(3)

Arshdeep replaces Mavi from the other end and the move worked for India as he picks up the third wicket for India. A shorter length delivery from him left Nissanka in surprise and he tried to pull it away but could only manage to edge it which carried to Shivam Mavi, who completes his second catch of the match! Seven off the over as Sri Lanka sinks in deep trouble.

Nissanka c Shivam Mavi b Arshdeep Singh 15(17) [4s-3]

Axar Patel replaces Hardik and bowls a wonderful over to send dangerous-looking Kusal Mendis. Mendis tries to clear the mid-wicket but in that process gave his easy catch to Shivam Mavi, who takes a comfortable catch to break the 44-run opening stand. Only 7 runs off the over.

Kusal Mendis c Umran Malik b Axar 23(15) [4s-2 6s-2]

Shivam Mavi comes in for Hardik Pandya and Mendis welcomes him with a boundary off his first delivery. A fine over by Mavi as he only gave two singles in the next five balls to restrict Sri Lanka to under 40 runs in the first 4 overs. The required rate jumped to 12 runs per over.

Kusal Mendis is dealing Hardik with sixes. A length ball from the Indian captain and Mendis punishes him by pulling it away for a SIX. Hardik tries to escape this but Mendis was all set and ready as he clears the fence this time too for another Maximum! 14 runs from the over as Sri Lanka is matching the required rate here.

Arshdeep Singh comes from the other end and straight away has been hit for a boundary. Nissanka hits it over mid-wicket for a FOUR to star. Arshdeep is struggling with his line as he bowls back-to-back wides which were going down the leg. An outside edge goes fine and races away for another boundary. 11 runs off his over as Sri Lanka piled up 17 runs in the first two overs.

Hardik Pandya starts the proceedings for India with the new ball and he starts with a fuller-length delivery which swirl in and hits the pad, Loud appeal from the fielding team, and the umpire agrees! A first ball wicket for Hardik and Nissanka has to go unless he reviews this decision and he does exactly that. DRS: Pitching in but the ball tracker shows the ball is missing the stumps. A sigh of relief for Nissanka as he survives to face another ball. Kusal Mendis opens his account with a boundary. 6 off the first over.

Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka open for Sri Lanka. Hardik Pandya takes the new ball for India.

Players to hit T20I centuries in three different counties.

Glenn Maxwell:

• Australia
• Sri Lanka
• India

Suryakumar Yadav

• England
• New Zealand
• India*

Fastest T20I centuries for India

• 35 balls Rohit Sharma vs SL, Indore 2017
• 45 balls Suryakumar Yadav vs SL, Rajkot 2023 *
• 46 balls balls KL Rahul vs WI, Lauderhill 2016
  
• 48 balls Suryakumar Yadav vs Eng, Nottingham 2022
  
• 49 balls Suryakumar Yadav vs NZ, Mt Maunganui 2022
  

Karunaratne comes in to bowl the last over for Sri Lanka and starts with a slow delivery and deceived Surya with his pace. Surya bounces back in the next delivery and slaps it for a flat SIX over covers. Three quiet deliveries followed but Yadav ended the innings with a boundary over square leg to help India post a mamoth total of 228/5 in 20 overs.

Rajitha came to bowl the penultimate over for Sri Lanka and Surya steers the low full-toss to sweeper cover to completes HIS THIRD T20I CENTURY! Take a bow Surya! Axar from the other end joins the party and hit Rajitha for back-to-back FOURS! He ends the over with another boundary as India nears 220 with one over in hand. Great stuff from Indian batters today.

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Theekshana bowled a brilliant over against the run of play and gave only six off his over, keeping Suryakumar quiet, who ends this over with a single and now is just one runs away from his third hundred in T20I.

Madushanka replaces Hasaranga but that does not have any effect on SKY. There is no stopping for Suryakumar as he closes in on his century with a SIX over deep backward point. Carnage from SKY, this time moves away to scoop the outside off-ball for a boundary. Deepak Hooda who came in at no. six tries to hit Madushanka for a maximum but gave his catch to Hasaranga instead. India five down with three overs left.

Hooda c Hasaranga b Madushanka 4(2) [4s-1]

Another successful over for Sri Lanka as this time captain Hardik departs after scoring just 4 runs. Surya, however, hits Rajitha for two boundaries as India managed 14 off his over

Hardik Pandya c Dhananjaya b Rajitha 4(4).

Hasaranga replaces Madushanka. Nothing changes in the approach as Gill followed his partner from the other end to hit him for a SIX! He closes in on his 1st T20I fifty but GONE! OUt! Bowled as the ball goes past the bat and Gill departs on 46. 10 off the over for India but Hasarnag will have the last laugh as he breaks the century stand.

Shubman Gill b Hasaranga 46(36) [4s-2 6s-3]

Classic Suryakumar Yadav show at the SCA stadium in Rajkot now as he is toying with the bowling attack here. He hits Theekshana for three consecutive boundaries, including two maximums and Gill finishes the over with a FOUR to end the over with 23 runs off it!

Madushanka in for Hasaranga and starts with a back-of-length delivery which was pulled away for a single by Gill. A rash full-toss from Madushanka and Surya opens the face of the bat to use the pace and hit him for a SIX to fine-leg. This time Yadav uses his wrist to drive the ball over extra cover for a boundary. With this, Yadav completes his 14th half-century for India in T20I! He is in no mood to stop to today as he hit Madushanka for another SIX, this time over mid-wicket.

Nine off the Hasaranga’s over as India dealt with only singles and doubles in his over and avoided any danger.

Karunaratne replaces Hasaranga. Suryakumar Yadav is in his element today. He hits Karunaratne for back-to-back boundaries. A FOUR over extra-cover followed by a SIX, using the pace of the delivery and steers away the ball over long leg. 12 off the over as India crosses 100 run mark in 11th over.

Theekshana replaces Karunaratne and bowls a decent over as he gave only seven off his over and India ended the half-way stage on 92/2.

Hasaranga continues from the other end. A good start from him as he contains the flow of run and gave only three singles in the first four balls but Surya ruins his over by hitting him for a boundary in his penultimate delivery followed by a single to end the 9th over with 8 runs.

Suryakumar Yadav joins the party as he starts the over with a boundary, a length delivery by Karunaratne and Yadav punches it over mid-off for FOUR! A SIX to follow! 10 runs from the last two deliveries as SKY pulls the ball for a maximum. Four singles from the last four balls and India takes 14 off this over.

Hasaranga comes in for Theekshana. He gives away 10 runs in his first over. Shubman Gill hits him for a SIX over mid-wicket.

Karunaratne replaces Madushanka. Rahul changes gears and hits Karunaratne for back-to-back sixes before throwing away his wicket to him. He tried to hit the ball over the third man and opened the face of the bat but the ball goes straight to Madushanka at short-third.

Tripathi c Madushanka b Karunaratne 35(16) [4s-5 6s-2]

Theekshana continues from the other end and Tripathi sweeps the second delivery over square leg for a boundary. Another four, this time he judged the line early and punished the bowler. A fuller-length delivery from Theekshana and Tripathi sends the ball away for third boundary of the over. 12 from this over!

Rajitha kept his tight line and length and gave no room to both Gill and Tripathi. Three singles and a double from this over.

An outside off delivery from Madushanka and Tripathi punished him this time and the ball races away for FOUR! Shubman Gill open his account with a gigantic six and it followed with a boundary. 15 from the over, a much needed over for India.

A brilliant over from Kasun Rajitha as he goes back without giving a single run in his over. Maiden over!

Madushanka starts with a wide, down-the-leg side. A better line from him this time and Kishan gets off the mark with an inside edge. Gone, Out! Back of the length delivery from Madushanka and Kishan edged it and Dhananjaya makes no mistake in the slips. Rahul Tripathi comes in at the number three and opens his account with a boundary on his second delivery.

Ishan Kishan c Dhananjaya b Madushanka 1(2)

Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill open for India. Dilshan Madushanka takes the new ball for Sri Lanka.

Our in-house reporter Ashwin Achal, who’s at the venue, feels the series decider will be a low-scoring encounter.

1st T20I: Ishan Kishan & Shubman Gill - 27 runs

2nd T20I: Ishan Kishan & Shubman Gill - 12 runs

India Playing XI: Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Rahul Tripathi, Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi

Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka

Toss India wins toss, opts to bat

Hardik Pandya: It looks like a good batting wicket. I think it is cold and we might get some swing at the night. We made mistakes, but even though we were not at our best, we competed.

Dasun Shanaka: We would have batted first as well. We wanted to set the tone upfront. We will approach the same way in this game - one change for us, Avishka Fernando replaces Bhanuka Rajapaksa.

Inspired by his franchise league teammate, Dewald Brevis wants to learn the no-look shot from Suryakumar Yadav.

“It was a very special moment for me, representing your country is the ultimate goal for any cricketer and I was obviously very happy (on my debut). Wanted to contribute more, but nevertheless, it was a great moment. I just play according to the moment and according to what the bowler bowls, I don’t do it intentionally, it just happens (on looking fidgety). It’s a good challenge to play a series decider, the plan is to go out, execute our best skills and win the game”.

- Rahul Tripathi to broadcasters

Here’s our predicted XI for both teams for the final t20i at the SCA stadium in Rajkot.

Since the series is at one-all heading into Saturday’s series finale in Rajkot, not much change is anticipated for either squad.

• India Predicted XI: Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (c), Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shivam Mavi, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik.
• Sri Lanka Predicted XI: Pathum Nissanka,Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka.

Here’s our picks for tonight’s clash in Rajkot.

• Wicketkeeper: Kusal Mendis
• Batters: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Deepak Hooda, Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka
• All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Wanindu Hasaranga, Axar Patel
• Bowlers: Dilshan Madushanka,Umran Malik, Yuzvendra Chahal

Team Composition: SL 5:6 IND Credits Left: 13.0

T20Is

India: Hardik Pandya (Capt.), Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (Vice-Capt.), Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Jitesh Sharma, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi and Mukesh Kumar.

Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (Capt.), Wanindu Hasaranga (Vice-Capt.), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Ashen Bandara, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara, Dunith Wellalage and Pramod Madushan.

Which TV channel will telecast IND vs SL 3rd T20I live?

The third T20I between India and Sri Lanka will be aired LIVE on the Star Sports Network.

Where can I watch the live stream of IND vs SL 3rd T20I?

The third T20I between India and Sri Lanka will be streamed LIVE on Disney+Hotstar.

At what time will IND vs SL 3rd T20I start?

The third T20I between India and Sri Lanka will begin at 7:00 PM IST.

India and Sri Lanka have provided undeniable entertainment in the first two T20Is of the series thus far. The third and series-deciding T20I, which will be held at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Saturday, promises more thrilling fare.

The second T20I at Pune provided plenty of fireworks. Dasun Shanaka belted an unbeaten 22-ball 56 to take Sri Lanka to a winning total. India’s Suryakumar Yadav and Axar Patel replied in kind, but it was not enough to prevent a 16-run Sri Lankan win.The series opener at Mumbai was equally exciting, as India pulled off a last-ball victory.

The visitor is certainly up for a fight, and with all to play for on Saturday, India will have its task cut out.

The home side hopes to fix a couple of faults. India has not had the best starts when batting, sliding to 46 for three and 57 for five in the first two matches. In Mumbai, Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel did the repair job. At the same time, it was left to Suryakumar, Axar and Shivam Mavi to keep India in the hunt on Thursday.

While these rescue acts augur well for India’s batting depth, it cannot become a regular occurrence.

Watching his step

Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh would like to dismiss Thursday’s horror show as an aberration. Arshdeep inexplicably bowled five no-balls in his two overs, which completely shifted the momentum Sri Lanka’s way. The 23-year-old will have to watch his step on Saturday, especially since he dons the crucial role of death-over specialist.

It remains to be seen whether the SCA Stadium pitch will aid free-flowing shot-making. Batting did not come easy in the previous T20I held at this venue, in June last year. On a pitch with uneven bounce, South Africa was bundled out for 87 chasing India’s 169 for six.

If the track offers spin, India has two quality tweakers in Axar and Yuzvendra Chahal who can do damage.

For India head coach Rahul Dravid, it is Axar’s evolution as a quality batter that is most pleasing. “Axar’s batting is coming on in leaps and bounds. We always knew his quality as a bowler; it was about developing his batting. He has been working hard on it. He has been with the team for more than a year now, and his batting is an area we had identified,” Dravid said.

The former India captain stated there was no room to tinker with the playing eleven. “The boys who are in the eleven are already young. Ishan (Kishan) and Shubman (Gill) have got just two games. We will not be chopping and changing too much,” Dravid said.

- Ashwin Achal