Sri Lanka, despite a stunning century from Pathum Nissanka (107 off 58 balls), crumbled under pressure in the tiebreaker, scoring just 2 runs in five balls, which India chased down with ease to clinch a crucial victory.
Put into bat, India’s innings was built on a fiery start from Abhishek Sharma (61 off 31, 8 fours, 2 sixes). After an early wobble, skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson (39 off 23) steadied the innings, while Tilak Varma (49 off 34)* anchored the latter stages.
Axar Patel’s late cameo (21 off 15)* lifted India to a formidable 202/5.
Sri Lanka’s chase was all about Pathum Nissanka’s brilliance, the opener smashing India’s bowlers to all parts in a breathtaking hundred.
His 127-run stand with Kusal Perera (58 off 32) kept the required rate in control until wickets tumbled in the death overs. When Nissanka fell in the 19th over, Sri Lanka’s momentum dipped, and despite a spirited 22* off 11 from skipper Dasun Shanaka, they could only match India’s total of 202/5.
The tie forced a Super Over decider, where Sri Lanka faltered badly.
Facing Arshdeep Singh, they lost Nissanka and Asalanka in quick succession, managing just 2 runs. India needed 3 to win, which they secured without fuss, emphatically sealing the game.
