SL vs IND (Twitter)
Rejuvenated Team India have kicked off an interesting three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka in their backyard on Saturday, July 27. After stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bowed out from the format, the talented batter and senior Suyakumar Yadav was handed the leadership mantle.
Openers Jaiswal-Gill got India off to a flier
While Suryakumar leading in his first game in Pallekele as India’s skipper, the Men in Blue pummeled the Lankan bowling unit right from the word go as opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (41 off 20 balls) muscled them to give a flying start along with his partner and vice-captain Shubman Gill (34 off 15 balls). The pair scored 74 runs in the powerplay stage. After that, Suryakumar arrived at the crease and showed no nerves about leading the pack as he went about his business with his dominant batting style.
Suryakumar Yadav led from the front with his blitzkreig in his first game as India skipper
The Mumbai-based 360-degree player pounced on the momentum the opening pair had provided and played a sparkling half-century (58 off 28 balls) knock which consisted of eight fours and two sixes, respectively. Notably during his knock, he showed some audacious inside-out strokes which was duly appreciated by the new India head coach Gautam Gambhir. Besides him, Rishabh Pant played the anchor role and took time to get his batting mojo and played his orthodox shots through the square region and in front as well. However, he missed his fifty (49 off 33 balls) by a whisker.
Meanwhile, speaking of Sri Lanka’s bowling, the pacers looked out of colour and bowled some erratic line and length on a track which looked sluggish in nature. Among the pick of bowlers, Wanindu Hasaranga kept it tight (1/28) from one end as the Indian batter failed to take him on like other bowlers. Matheesha Pathirana starred with the ball for the Lankan Lions as he claimed a four-wicket (4/40) haul. This meant that India finished with 213/7 in their 20-over quota.
Also Read: SL Vs IND – Suryakumar Yadav’s blitzkrieg puts India on driver’s seat after first innings
Collective bowling effort sealed the first T20I for India
Chasing a stiff target, openers Pathum Nissanka (79 off 48 balls) and Kusal Mendis (45 off 27 balls) got the hosts off to a solid start with their 84-run stand for the first wicket before spinner Axar Patel gave India a much-needed breakthrough. However, along with the new skipper Charith Asalanka, the middle order failed to get going as other spinners in the form of Ravi Bishnoi and Riyan Parag dragged the game back in Team India’s favour before pacer Arshdeep Singh too joined the party with his second scalp of the day to derail Sri Lanka’s run chase. As a result, India won the first T20I of the series by 43 runs to gain a 1-0 lead over the hosts, Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, this triggered a meme fest as fans took to their social media to share their thoughts on the first T20I game between Sri Lanka and India.
Here are the best memes from Sri Lanka vs India’s first T20I game:
Matheesha Pathirana: 4/40 (4) 🤯
Riyan Parag: 3/5 (1.2) 🤯😱#SLvIND pic.twitter.com/Jovn9M5hzi
— Chota Don (@The_ChotaDon) July 27, 2024
Sad day for brothers from diff mothers and same father !!😭😭#INDvSL #SLvIND#SuryakumarYadav #SKY#Jaiswal #Gill#Pant #Pandya#OlympicGamesParis2024 #ChampionsTrophy2025
India Sri Lanka
BCCI
Riyan Siraj#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/mcUnTXoJFx— Goku (@Goku_Legendz) July 27, 2024
#SLvInd #INDvSL #teamniella #IndiaAtOlympics #RiyanParag
Surya to Riyan Parag
Do you know the context😀🙈 pic.twitter.com/NXP28zCnL6— TwiXter (@ImTwiXter) July 27, 2024
Cricket 🏏🤝 Hockey 🏑
जलवा है हमारा #Hockey #INDvNZ #Circket #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/mtZ5XxU0Zo— Vikram choudhary (@Vikramchou71915) July 27, 2024
The best thing of tonight’s match is Riyan Parag’s bowling ability in international level !
3 wickets in just 1.2 overs by 5 runs !
Best of luck rising star !#RiyanParag the game changer !#SLvIND | #INDvSL | #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/Ie9cPkV8Zo— CricStrick (@CricStrickAP) July 27, 2024
India beat Sri Lanka by 43 runs to give tribute to 43 all out of Pakistan 😆#SLvIND | #INDvsSL | #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/sq2Jxti5hv
— Kriti Singh 🇮🇳 (@kritiitweets) July 27, 2024
Riyan parag today#SLvIND pic.twitter.com/eam4m6Bdpd
— 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐙𝐀𝐍🇵🇰🤍 (@Faizanali_152) July 27, 2024