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In a disappointing turn of events for Sri Lankan cricket, the team set a new, unwanted record for the most defeats in T20 International (T20I) history following their loss to India in the third and final match of the series in Pallekele. This defeat marked Sri Lanka's 105th loss in the shortest format of cricket, surpassing Bangladesh, who previously held the unfortunate record with 104 defeats. West Indies and Zimbabwe follow closely behind with 101 and 99 defeats, respectively.
The match itself was a nail-biter, with India ultimately emerging victorious in a dramatic Super Over. Sri Lanka, led by Charith Asalanka, elected to bowl first, hoping to restrict India's scoring. While India suffered early blows, they managed a good recovery thanks to contributions from all batters, ultimately reaching a total of 137/9 in 20 overs. Shubman Gill led the scoring with a solid 39 runs off 37 balls, including three fours. Riyan Parag and Washington Sundar played crucial roles in the death overs, scoring 26 and 25 runs respectively.
Maheesh Theekshana spearheaded the Sri Lankan attack, securing three wickets for 28 runs in his four-over stint. Wanindu Hasaranga also contributed by taking two wickets for 29 runs. During the run chase, Sri Lanka relied heavily on their top four batters. Kusal Perera scored 46 runs from 34 balls, hitting five fours, while Kusal Mendis added 43 runs from 41 balls, with three fours. Pathum Nissanka chipped in with 26 runs from 27 balls, hitting five fours. Despite their efforts, Sri Lanka could only match India’s score with 137/8, taking the game into a Super Over.
In the Super Over, the match continued to be a thrilling spectacle. Rinku Singh and Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav were pivotal in the match, each taking two wickets. Yadav defended six runs in the final over, which resulted in the Super Over. Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar also claimed two wickets each in the game. Sri Lanka's batting faltered in the Super Over, managing only 2/2. Suryakumar Yadav wrapped up the match with his first ball of the chase, hitting a sweep towards short fine leg for a four.
Washington Sundar was named the Player of the Match for his all-round contributions, showcasing his ability to both bat and bowl effectively. Suryakumar Yadav was awarded the Player of the Series title for his consistent performance throughout the series, highlighting his crucial role in India's victory. While Sri Lanka will undoubtedly be disappointed with the record-setting defeat, this match serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where every ball can turn the tide of the game.
Source: Sri Lanka set unwanted record with most T20I defeats in cricket history