The Indian team is going through a change of sorts after their Asia Cup 2022 and 20-20 World Cup 2022 humiliation. Rohit Sharma has given way to Hardik Pandya in T20Is and the sole focus on the cricket board is on the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 in India.
With the intent of emulating an aggressive and fearless brand of cricket, a young Indian team led by Hardik Pandya clashed with Sri Lanka on January 3rd. The two teams went head-to-head at Wankhede Stadium in a T20I match and India came victorious by 2 runs.
Sri Lanka after winning the toss decided to invite India to set up a target. With young guns in the team, India started with aggression but failed to bring it to fruition. Opener Shubman Gill was the first to depart at just 7 runs in 5 balls. Number 1 T20I batter Suryakumar Yadav also couldn’t do much as he was out at just 7 in 10 balls.
After Sanju Samson (5) failed again it was Hardik Pandya (29) who got the scoreboard going. All-rounder Deepak Hooda (41) and Axar Patel (31) played a significant knock that got India to 162/5.
Coming onto the chase, the Sri Lanka batting had an even poorer start as Pathum Nissanka got out in the second over itself. The entirety of the top order failed to perform but the captain Dasun Shanaka made India fight for victory. The right-hand batter slowly but steadily inched Sri Lanka close to the target and at one point a win seemed quite easy for the visiting team.
Speedster Umran Malik, however, made sure to get the batter out and it was a cakewalk for India from then on. With 13 needed to be defended in the last over, the ball was tossed to Axar Patel and he successfully defended the score to give India an important win.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to India’s win against Sri Lanka:
A home World Cup year starts with India beating Sri Lanka at the Wankhede.. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/op6PHhoLQ6
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 3, 2023
Bowling spinner the last over wasn’t ideal but Ant bhala to Sab bhala. Well done team india. #INDvSL
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 3, 2023
Ek tym gote munh m aa gye the ??#INDvSL
— Shailesh Sharma (@Maha_purushh) January 3, 2023
Axar Patel does it for India! ????
What a thriller! ?#INDvSL #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) January 3, 2023
Taking Risk early as the Captain
Dhoni about Pandya :#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/2B8O12hIKT
— Anshuman (@Anshuman84m2) January 3, 2023
Axar bapu ?
India beat Sri Lanka by 2 runs in the 1st T2OI at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
India takes 1-0 lead in the 3-match series
#INDvSL #UmranMalik #ShivamMavi pic.twitter.com/oPNjSyO3Ns
— Shubhankar Mishra (@shubhankrmishra) January 3, 2023
#INDvSL
Axar Patel after bowling the Last Over and defending the total… ??? pic.twitter.com/dGdWFnCwFE— Daactr ???? (@Doctr_Dj) January 3, 2023
