Top performers for India in series opener against Sri Lanka

In the 15th over, he removed Kusal Perera and set-batter Pathum Nissanka to turn the tide in India's favour.

The era of Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav in the T20I format kicked off with a 43-run triumph over Sri Lanka in the first match of the three-game series. Even though, statistically, the margin of victory suggests India’s dominance, the Sri Lanka batters posed a major threat in the first half of the 214-run chase. But the momentum shifted in India’s favour after Arshdeep broke the opening 84-run stand between Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. Axar Patel joined the action and completely changed the course of the game in India’s favour. Apart from that, other players played their part as well in helping India clinch a win over the hosts. Here is a look at players who starred for India against Sri Lanka in the 1st T20I in Pallekele.

Suryakumar Yadav

Rohit Sharma’s successor and India’s T20I skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, played a captain’s knock and scored 58 runs off 26 balls at a whopping strike rate of 223.08, laced with eight fours and two sixes. For his heroic knock, the 33-year-old was adjudged as the Player of the Match.

Source: BCCI/X

Axar Patel

Once again, Axar Patel turned out to be effective for India in the middle order after the visitors got off to a jittery start while defending a total of 213/7. In the 15th over, he removed Kusal Perera and set-batter Pathum Nissanka to turn the tide in India’s favour.

Source: BCCI/X

Riyan Parag

The young cricketer is known for his prowess with the bat and aggressive stroke play. However, he failed to deliver with the bat but turned up for India with the ball. Riyan bagged a three-wicket haul while giving away just five runs in 1.2 overs.

Source: BCCI/X

Rishabh Pant

The Indian wicketkeeper batter continued to deliver with the bat after playing a major role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph. The left-handed batter fell one run shy of a fifty. He scored 49 off 33 deliveries and forged a 76-run stand with Suryakumar Yadav.

Source: BCCI/X

Yasahsvi Jaiswal

After Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the T20I format, youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal took up the mantle of providing India with a fiery start. He scored 40 in 21 deliveries at a strike rate of 190.48. During his quick-fire knock, he struck five fours and two maximums.

Source: Yashasvi Jaiswal

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