India stunned yet again by Shanaka, Axar and Suryakumar’s heroic fifties go in vain

India one up in the T20I home series won the toss and elected to field in the second T20I played at MCA Stadium in Pune. Indian bowling was taken to the cleaners by Kusal Mendis (52 off 31) and the player of the match Shanaka (56* off 22). All Indian bowlers struggled to find their feet, particularly Ashdeep Singh who was making a return to the team after last year series against the Kiwis, struggled to keep his foot behind the line and bowled 5 no-balls which proved costly for India, as the visitors went onto pile up 206 for the loss of six wickets.

In reply, Indian batters could never get going as the home side was restricted to mere 57 for 5 at the halfway mark. However, with the asking rate mounting to 15 runs per over, Axar and Suryakumar Yadav went on a rampage, sparing no Lankan bowler the duo and amassed 91 runs off just 40 balls in an attempt to keep Indian hopes alive in the match. Suryakumar Yadav bought up his 13^th T20I fifty off 33 balls, but he perished soon after.

However, Axar who completed his half century off 20 balls tried his best to snatch victory from the jaws off a looming defeat, he was supported valiantly from the other end by Shivam Mavi, but last over was bowled by Dasun Shanaka who continued his domination against India, and finished off the game with two wickets of the 20^th over, leaving India 16 runs short of the target.