Manish Pandey, Dinesh🐟 Karthik and Shardul Thakur made valuable contributions to guide India to a 6-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the fourth T20I of the 🍎Nidahas Trophy in Colombo on Monday.
During a 153 run-chase, Pandey (42 not out) hit 3 fours and a six as India overhauled the target with 9 balls remaining to go top of the table iꦜn the tri-series which also involves Bangladesh.
India did not get off to an ideal start after both their openers Rohit Sharma (11) and Shikhar Dhawan (8) fell cheaply. But Suresh Raina and KL Rahul steadied India’s ship with a 40-run stand before the southpaw departed for 27 off 15 balls.
Rahul (18) too fell soon as he became the first Indian to be out hi🌞t-wicket when he fell in the 10th over bowled by Jeevan Mendis.
However, Pandey and Karthik (39 not out) then added an unbroken 68 runs for the fifth wicket to take India home. It was India’s second victory in the tri-series. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have won one each.
Earlier, Sri Lanka was restricted to 152/9 thanks to a superb bowling performance by Shardul Thakur, who finished with 💙a career-best 4/27.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the match:
Come on boys 🇮🇳🙋🏽♀️💪🏽
Ps- safe to say sports is always on atleast one tv in this ho🐻use at all times 😂— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania)
Can't decide whether 'Pairo pe kulhaadi marna' or 'Kulhaadi pe pair maarna' 😭😂
— Abhishek ✨ (@ImAbhishek7_)
Since his return, Karthik’s stocks are on a rise…finishing games off…staying not out till the end. Today, took pressure off Pandey ji too.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
Congr🦋atulations to Team India on a clinical victory. Great bowl♑ing by Shardul and Washington and sensible batting from Manish Pandey and Karthik to drive us home.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
Dinesh Karthik and Manish Pandey were cool and composed and India did it quite easily in the end. Raina's catch was outstanding . Easy victory.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
Most matches lost at a venue in T20Is:
14 – SRI LANKA at Colombo (RPS)*
14 – Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman)
Normalcy restored. India beats Sri Lanka comfortably. That’s what everyone is us🌳ed t👍o seeing. Well played
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar)
In Manish Pandey, Team India has found a genuine finisher. He has done this role before in ODIs too. Don't expect him to score big. But his contributions lower order, will be vital for the team.
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman)
Superb come back today Congratulations on the man of the match b𒊎ro &🌊; it was beautiful to watch the way & finished the game 👌
— Karun Nair (@karun126)
First Indian batsman to be hit-wicket:
In Tests – Lala Amarnath, 1949
In ODIs – Nayan Mongia, 1995
In T20Is – KL RAHUL, Today— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats)
//twitter.com🌊/SparshTelang/status/973235923306647554
Rohit Sharma Is Giving Tight Slap To Haters Who Say He Performs Only Against Sri L😼anka, On Flat Pitches. 🤪
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja)
Dinesh Karthik and Manish Pandey finish 🌺off the game easily from a tricky situation. Good to see Sri Lanka getting an authentic thrashing 🔯again.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh)
Splendid batting by Pandey and Karthik: cool head, picked gaps well, ran hard between wi⛄ckets, quelled Sri Lankan challenge effectively
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah)
A composed innings by and with a glimpse of ’s magic helps cha🌱se the target of 153 with 6 wickets and 9 balls to spare. 🇮🇳 are now on top of the tri-ser꧃ies table. 👏🏻👏🏻
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL)