Sri Lanka set an unwanted record on Tuesday as they became the team with the most T20 International losses following their defeat to India in the third T20I of the series. This defeat was their 105th in T20Is, including Super Overs. Bangladesh holds the second spot with 104 T20I defeats, while the West Indies and Zimbabwe follow with 101 and 99 losses, respectively.
In the final T20I at Pallekele, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first. India’s batters delivered a well-rounded performance to set a competitive target. Shubman Gill top-scored with 39 runs off 37 balls, including three boundaries. Riyan Parag, with a brisk 26 off 18 balls (1 four, 2 sixes), and Washington Sundar, who contributed 25 from 18 balls (2 fours, 1 six), played crucial innings towards the end, pushing India to a total of 137/9 after their 20 overs.
Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga were notable in their efforts. Theekshana claimed three wickets for 28 runs in his four-over spell, while Hasaranga took two for 29.
During the chase, Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera (46 runs off 34 balls, 5 fours) and Kusal Mendis (43 runs off 41 balls, 3 fours) spearheaded the innings, guiding Sri Lanka to 137/8 and pushing the match into a Super Over. Pathum Nissanka (26 runs off 27 balls, 5 fours) also made valuable contributions.
The match’s highlight was the performance of Rinku Singh and captain Suryakumar Yadav, who each took two wickets in their respective spells. Yadav defended six runs in the final over, pushing the match into the Super Over. Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar also claimed two wickets each during the regular innings.
In the Super Over, Sri Lanka could only manage 2/2 after batting first. Suryakumar Yadav then sealed the victory for India with a boundary off the first ball of the chase.
Washington Sundar was named ‘Player of the Match’, while Suryakumar Yadav won the ‘Player of the Series’ title.