Sri Lanka set a target of 241 runs for India in the IND vs SL match, heading into the second innings with confidence and aiming to capitalize on favorable pitch conditions.
India’s bowlers had mixed results, with Washington Sundar taking three wickets and Kuldeep Yadav securing two. Avishka Fernando scored 40 runs for Sri Lanka, and Kamindu Mendis played a crucial knock, adding 72 invaluable runs with Dunith Wellalage before Wellalage’s dismissal.
Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka faced an early setback when Pathum Nissanka was dismissed on the first delivery by Mohammed Siraj. Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis then built a confident 74-run partnership. However, the Indian spinners soon made their mark, dismissing Fernando just before the first drinks break.
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During the middle phase, India’s spinners dominated, resulting in the loss of both set batters in quick succession. The middle-order batters stabilized the innings, adding valuable runs. Kamindu Mendis, supported by Akila Dananjaya, managed to secure about 20 extra runs in the death overs.
Despite mixed results from India’s bowlers, with Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel bowling decent spells, Siraj and Arshdeep Singh were expensive at the death. Washington Sundar noted the extra bounce and deviation for spinners on the slower pitch and felt they had done a decent job but could have conceded fewer runs.
India now needs 241 runs to win, slightly more than their previous target of 231, which resulted in a tie. With the pitch expected to turn and Sri Lanka playing just one pacer, the run chase promises to be engrossing.
