Kohli, Pathan star in India T20 win
Virat Kohli cracked a half-century and Irfan Pathan bagged three key wickets to help India post an easy 39-run win over Sri Lanka in the one-off Twenty20 international in Pallekele on Tuesday.
In-form Kohli hit a 48-ball 68 for his maiden half-century in T20 internationals while paceman Pathan finished with 3-27 as India bowled Sri Lanka out for 116 after scoring 155-3.
Man-of-the-match Pathan jolted Sri Lanka’s top order when he dismissed skipper Mahela Jayawardene (26), Tillakaratne Dilshan (0) and Upul Tharanga (5) in his opening three overs to reduce the hosts to 35-3.
Seamer Ashok Dinda finished with 4-19, including three wickets in an over, as Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets for 20 runs. Angelo Mathews top-scored for Sri Lanka with 31.
Kohli earlier smashed one six and 11 fours before being caught by Lahiru Thirimanne at deep mid-wicket off debutant paceman Shaminda Eranga, who took 2-30 off four overs.
“I think we mastered our bowling and batting better than them,” said India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
“We thought we were 15 runs short, but overall we were really good.”
Kohli, who scored two centuries in the recent five-match one-day series in Sri Lanka, put on 74 for the second wicket with opener Ajinkya Rahane (21) and 48 for the next with Suresh Raina who made a 25-ball 34 not out.
“We thought 150 was achievable,” said Jayawardene. “We’re making a lot of mistakes and when you come across a team like India it is tough.”
Sri Lanka struck early after electing to field as Eranga bowled opener Gautam Gambhir (six) with his fourth delivery, but Kohli and Rahane propped up the innings.
Kohli went for his shots from the beginning as he hit pacemen Thisara Perera and Eranga each for three fours in an over. He reached his half-century with a four off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.
AFP
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka to operate immigration department 24/7 to speed up passport issuance February 5, 2025
- Sri Lanka announces new paddy purchase prices from February 6, 2025 February 5, 2025
- Sri Lanka launches national survey on toque macaque February 5, 2025
- Sri Lankan MPs’ meal price jumps over four times from Rs. 450 to Rs. 2,000 February 5, 2025
- Sri Lanka to cut water tariffs by up to 30% February 5, 2025
We are in the wrong trend and track.Mahela,please change over
Combination of things:
1. Absence of Sanga
2. Absence of Kulasekara and we didn’t have bowler to support Malinga
3. IPL made our main strike bowler less effective.
4. Too much cricket has been played with India.
5. Lousy fielding (over throws and butter fingers.)
6. Lousy shot selection (especially reverse swing, Dils scope, etc)
7. Senseless run outs!
8. We should avoid Sri Lankan umpires officiating matches when Sri Lanka is playing. Umpires wanna prove that they are not “Asoka Silvas”. This made them not giving benefit of doubt to Sri Lankan players. Remember Mahela’s LBW! Two tip catches (umpire didn’t hear !!)
9. Playing too much Cricket! India had a two months break!!!