New Delhi: Playing the series decider and having 11 T20I series unbeaten streak on stake, India has scored a huge 228 runs. With Suryakumar Yadav hitting his third T20I ton and showcasing clean hitting once again, with an inning anchored by Shubman Gill, the hosts managed to breach the 200 mark in Rajkot. While Maheesh Theekshana looked unhittable in the previous games, he was one of the most targeted bowlers tonight.
CENTURY for @surya_14kumar
A third T20I ? in just 43 innings.
Take a bow, Surya!#INDvSL @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/HZ95mxC3B4
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 7, 2023
Suryakumar Yadav, the new 360-degree hitter, exploited the short square boundaries and hit 6 fours and 9 sixes to score 112* off just 51 balls.
The inning started with Ishan Kishan’s wicket in the first over when Rahul Tripathi, who is playing his second game, decided to accelerate. Tripathi scored 35 off 16 balls before getting caught on a short third off Chamika Karunarathne. It was then the 111-run partnership off just 53 deliveries between SKY and Gill that set the stage for men in blue. While Surya scored a ton, Gill could manage 46(36) as he showed some acceleration after getting a start.
Losing Deepak Hooda and Hardik Pandya early, brought in man-in-form Axar Patel, who once again aided a fine finish with his 21* off 9.
No one except Kasun Rajitha looked to contain runs. Rajitha carried his form from the last game and not only did he pick up a wicket, but also bowled a maiden over to Gill.
India seems to have set a match-winning target for the visitors and it would require another fierce Dasun Shanaka inning along with contributions from the top order to chase down the total.
