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India secured an unassailable lead in the T20 series against Sri Lanka, defeating the hosts by 7 wickets in a rain-affected match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Sunday. This victory marks the first series win for the Men in Blue under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, with Gautam Gambhir serving as the head coach. India's dominance was evident from the outset, as they restricted Sri Lanka to 161 runs in their allotted 20 overs. The Indian opening pair of Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal took to the crease, but rain intervened after just 3 balls of the second innings, leading to a stoppage in play.
When play resumed, the target was significantly reduced to 78 runs in 7.3 overs, a scenario that proved advantageous for India. Despite some minor hiccups, the aggressive batting displays of Yashasvi Jaiswal, skipper Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya propelled India towards a comfortable victory. The captain, Suryakumar Yadav, acknowledged the impact of the rain, suggesting that the reduced total had worked in his team's favor. In his post-match remarks, he highlighted the team's commitment to a specific brand of cricket, emphasizing their ability to adapt and chase down targets effectively regardless of the circumstances.
The rain undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping the outcome of the match. The shortened target and the altered playing conditions presented India with a more manageable chase. This victory is a testament to India's versatility and resilience in the face of unpredictable weather. The team's ability to adapt to changing circumstances and execute their game plan with precision ultimately secured their victory. This triumph further solidifies India's position as a formidable force in the T20 format, while also underscoring Suryakumar Yadav's leadership capabilities and the team's potential to achieve greater success in the future.
Source: India vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I: Surykumar Yadav reacts after 43 run victory; ‘rain helped us’