Highlights, India vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I, Full Cricket Score: India win by 38 runs to take 1-0 lead

Dhawan: I thought we were 10-15 runs shot. But we knew it was a good fighting total. We lost early wicket then got 50 runs in powerplay. In 13 overs we got to 100. Surya is a great player, we enjoy watching him bat, he was just taking the pressure off the other batsmen. They were playing quite well and we knew that our spinners will turn on that sort of wicket. Everyone stood up on the day and did the job for us. Even Varun did really well, bowled that 17th over. Prithvi is going to bounce back in the next match. It’s difficult to pick Varun even I find it difficult in the nets.

Bhuvneshwar: What I wanted to execute happened, that’s the most important thing for me. It was a good batting wicket, the seamers got some swing early on and there was some assistance for the bowlers too. I played ODI after a couple of months so it takes time to get into the rhythm. I enjoyed all four wickets.

Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka captain: I think 164 is a chaseable in this wicket. Bowlers upfront started really well. I think DDS wicket, Bandara and Asalanka’s wicket cost us. I thought bowlers did an amazing job in this wicket. Right momentum on us. I hope in the next game we come out and do better. I’m really proud of the way they (debutants) played today.

After 18.3 overs,Sri Lanka 126/10 ( Akila Dananjaya 1 , )

Bhuvneshwar takes just three deliveries to wrap up the innings, dismissing Udana and Chameera — both getting caught in the deep while attempting glory shots. Good finish to Bhuvneshwar’s performance with the ball as he walks away with figures of 4/22, as India register a 38-run win to grab the T20I series lead.

OUT! Bhuvneshwar grabs the remaining wicket to finish with figures of 4/22, as Sri Lanka are bowled out for 126. India win by 38 runs and lead the series 1-0!

Chameera c Krunal b Bhuvneshwar 1(3)

OUT! India are one wicket away from victory now! Udana looks to launch the back-of-length ball from Bhuvneshwar over long on, but fails to clear the distance as Suryakumar takes a comfortable catch in front of the boundary. SL 125/9

Udana c Suryakumar b Bhuvneshwar 1(2)

After 18 overs,Sri Lanka 125/8 ( Isuru Udana 1 , Dushmantha Chameera 1)

Chakravarthy into his final over on international debut. Appeal for leg-before against Udana off the second delivery is turned down by the umpire, and this may have hit him outside the line. Two balls later, Shanaka’s given the marching orders after getting stumped, departing for 16, the dismissal burying any remaining Sri Lankan hopes. Chakravarthy signs off with figures of 1/28 on debut, as Sri Lanka are left with 40 runs from two overs with two wickets in hand.

OUT! Maiden international wicket for Varun Chakravarthy as Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka is on his way back after getting stumped, losing his balance while leaning forward, Kishan waits for his backfoot to be airborn before whipping the bails off. That should put paid to Sri Lanka’s hopes. SL 124/8

Shanaka st Kishan b Chakravarthy 16(14)

After 17 overs,Sri Lanka 122/7 ( Dasun Shanaka (C) 15 , Isuru Udana 0)

Bhuvneshwar’s a little in his third over as an attempted yorker in the third delivery ends up becoming a juicy full toss that is smacked over wide long on by Shanaka. Bhuvi, though, makes up for it by getting rid of Karunaratne off the last delivery. Nine runs and a wicket from the over, with Sri Lanka needing 43 off 18. Unless Shanaka plays a blinder from here, the game is pretty much set in India’s favour.

OUT! Another one bites the dust. Karunaratne, who’s handy with the bat down the order, ends up getting a thick inside edge that rattles the leg stump. Wickets tumbling rather quickly at this stage for the Lankans. SL 122/7

Karunaratne b Bhuvneshwar 3(4)

SIX! An attempted yorker from Bhuvneshwar that ends up a juicy full toss, Shanaka makes the most of the opportunity and smacks it over cow corner for a maximum. SL 121/6

After 16 overs,Sri Lanka 113/6 ( Dasun Shanaka (C) 7 , Chamika Karunaratne 2)

Chahar back into the attack as we enter the business end of the match. And he bowls the over that once again puts India in the driver’s seat, dismissing the set batsman Asalanka as well as Hasaranga in a space of three deliveries while giving away just two runs. Sri Lanka need 52 off 24 balls.

OUT! A second wicket for Chahar just two balls after getting rid of Asalanka as Hasaranga departs for a duck. SL 111/6

Hasaranga b Chahar 0(2)

OUT! Chahar gets rid of the dangerman Asalanka, who perishes while looking to bring up a half-century on debut with a bang. Targets his favourite midwicket region once again, this time not getting the connection to clear the distance, and Shaw takes an easy catch. SL 111/5

Asalanka c Shaw b Chahar 44(26)

After 15 overs,Sri Lanka 107/4 ( Charith Asalanka 44 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 4)

Excellent stuff from Chahal in his final over of the day, bringing his variations to the fore to keep the batsmen guessing. Asalanka and Shanaka decide against taking any risks, collecting three singles. Sri Lanka need another 58 from 5 overs. Quite the spell from Chahal, who finishes with figures of 1/19 from four.

After 14 overs,Sri Lanka 104/4 ( Charith Asalanka 43 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 2)

Big over for the Sri Lankans as Asalanka brings the required rate down by smashing a six and a four off Chakravarthy, who’s been expensive after a tidy first over. The hosts are past the 100-mark, with Asalanka batting in the 40s. Sri Lanka need 61 off 36.

FOUR! Swept towards the vacant square leg fence this time by Asalanka off the last delivery of Chakravarthy’s third over, as he brings up the 100 for the hosts and also movs into the 40s. SL 104/4

SIX! Another six for Asalanka, who’s producing quite the innings today, as he once again clears the midwicket fence off a length carrom ball from Chakravarthy! SL 96/4

After 13 overs,Sri Lanka 90/4 ( Charith Asalanka 31 , Dasun Shanaka (C) 0)

Hardik Pandya returns. Another boundary for Asalanka, carving the ball over extra cover towards the vacant boundary, before the all-rounder gets rid of the struggling Bandara with a slower ball off the last delivery. The dismissal could work to SL’s advantage as Bandara had been hindering the team’s progress. Sri Lanka need 75 off 42.

OUT! Hardik’s finally rewarded with a wicket after a testing day as Bandara’s struggle finally comes to an end. It’s a slower ball that travels under the bat and clips the top of the stumps. SL 90/4

Bandara b Hardik 9(19)

FOUR! Carved over extra cover by Asalanka off Hardik, the ball bouncing a couple of times before going past the boundary. SL 87/3

After 12 overs,Sri Lanka 82/3 ( Charith Asalanka 24 , Ashen Bandara 8)

After a tidy first over, Chakravarthy’s a little expensive this time as Asalanka’s calculated risk pays off with a six over deep midwicket off the second delivery. Nine from the over, and the partnership will have eased some of the tension in the Sri Lankan camp at the moment. SL need 83 off 48.

SIX! Hoicked over deep midwicket, just out of reach for the fielder stationed there. Asalanka timed his slog sweep well to get the distance. SL 80/3

After 11 overs,Sri Lanka 73/3 ( Charith Asalanka 17 , Ashen Bandara 6)

Chahal given a third over on the trot. Asalanka, who like Fernando had been one of the standout batsmen in the one-day series, collects a boundary at the start of the over as he sweeps a ball bowled at his pads behind square, with Shaw unable to prevent the boundary despite putting in a dive in front of the rope. The pair then get to nicking singles to keep the scoreboard ticking, with nine coming from the over. Partnership, worth a run-a-ball 23 so far, looking good for the Lankans. Sri Lanka need 92 to win from 54 balls.

FOUR! Good start to the 11th over for Asalanka as he sweeps behind square, with Shaw putting in a dive at deep backward square leg in vain. SL 68/3

After 10 overs,Sri Lanka 64/3 ( Charith Asalanka 11 , Ashen Bandara 4)

After an off day with bat and on the field, Hardik’s extended a rough welcome in his first over of the day as Asalanka smacks a back-of-length delivery over midwicket for a six first ball. Hardik though, keeps it tidy for the remainder of the over, giving away a single next ball and a brace to Bandara off the last delivery. At the halfway stage, India still are ahead thanks to the two quick wickets, with the run rate a touch above six-an-over. Sri Lanka need 101 to win from 10 overs.

SIX! After an average day with the bat and on the field, Hardik is off to a rough start with the ball, as Asalanka smacks the back-of-length ball along leg over the midwicket fence for a maximum. SL 61/1

After 9 overs,Sri Lanka 55/3 ( Charith Asalanka 4 , Ashen Bandara 2)

Chahal continues. Two new faces at the crease, with debutant Charith Asalanka and Ashen Bandara both having got off the mark in the previous over, and quietly rotate the strike in this over without taking any risks. Just three from the over, with Sri Lanka need another 110 from 66 balls.

After 8 overs,Sri Lanka 52/3 ( Charith Asalanka 2 , Ashen Bandara 1)

Bhuvneshwar replaces Chakravarthy, and Sri Lanka are in a spot of bother after the set batsman at the crease departs, with Fernando pulling straight in into Samson’s hands at deep square leg. The two wickets have suddenly put India in the driver’s seat and they now have the opportunity to dictate proceedings. Excellent second over from Bhuvi, just two singles in addition to Fernando’s dismissal. SL need 113 off 72.

OUT! Wickets are starting to come in clusters for the Indians as the set Avishka Fernando holes out to Samson at deep square leg, with Bhuvneshwar striking after returning to the attack post-powerplay. SL 50/3

Fernando c Samson b Bhuvneshwar 26(23)

After 7 overs,Sri Lanka 50/2 ( Avishka Fernando 26 , Charith Asalanka 1)

Yuzi Chahal strikes off just his second delivery of the day, as he gets rid of Dhananjaya with a beauty to send him back to the dugout for 10. Four runs and a wicket from the over. Sri Lanka need 115 from 78.

BOWLED! Chahal takes just two balls to make an impact with the game, getting rid of Dhananjaya with a beauty — the ball turning sharply after landing along middle and leg and clipping the bail between off and middle. SL 48/2

Dhananjaya b Chahal 9(10)

After 6 overs,Sri Lanka 46/1 ( Avishka Fernando 25 , Dhananjaya de Silva 7)

Debutant Varun Chakravarthy is brought into the attack for the first time in the final over of the powerplay, and he’s off to a tidy start in international cricket, giving away just two runs in his first over. Sri Lanka are off to a positive start in the chase, but will need to maintain the scoring rate and not lose too many wickets along the way. India after all, were slightly ahead of them at a similar stage, but couldn’t capitalise on it to get a big total on the board.

After 5 overs,Sri Lanka 44/1 ( Avishka Fernando 24 , Dhananjaya de Silva 6)

Another good over for the Sri Lankans as 11 runs are collected in Krunal’s second over, including a boundary to Dhananjaya off the last delivery. The hosts are going at nearly nine-an-over at the moment, just the kind of start Lanka needed.

FOUR! Lofted over mid on by De Silva off Krunal, the first boundary for the No 3 batsman. SL 44/1

After 4 overs,Sri Lanka 33/1 ( Avishka Fernando 20 , Dhananjaya de Silva 1)

Fernando takes the attack to Chahar in this over to bring some of the momentum back in Sri Lanka’s favour after Bhanuka’s exit, slashing the ball hard behind point off the second delivery before hoicking the ball over the bowler’s head three balls later. He moves to 20 in quick time. Eight from the over.

FOUR! Second boundary for Fernando in Chahar’s second over, this time smacked down the ground, and he’s looking solid as ever! SL 33/1

FOUR! Slashed hard over backward point by Fernando off Chahar! SL 29/1

After 3 overs,Sri Lanka 25/1 ( Avishka Fernando 12 , Dhananjaya de Silva 1)

Spin introduced early with Krunal Pandya bowling the third over. Fernando lofts the ball high towards wide long off, where his brother is able to cut the ball off to save a couple of runs. Krunal draws first blood for the visitors as Bhanuka drives straight into extra cover’s hands to depart for 10. Dhananjaya de Silva is the new man in for the Lankans and he’s off the mark with a single. Five runs and a wicket from the left-arm spinner’s first over.

OUT! The decision to bring the left-arm spinner into the attack works as Bhanuka smacks the ball straight into extra cover’s hands. SL 23/1

Bhanuka c Suryakumar b Krunal 10(7)

After 2 overs,Sri Lanka 20/0 ( Avishka Fernando 8 , Minod Bhanuka (W) 10)

Much like Bhuvneshwar, Deepak Chahar starts off with a boundary as Bhanuka shuffles to his left and works the ball towards the long leg fence to collect his first four of the innings. Hardik Pandya, who looked off colour in his innings earlier today, drops a sitter at cover two balls later. The Indians successfully appeal for caught-behind in the fourth but Fernando, the batsman in question, reviews it right away and overturns it as the ball had brushed against his thigh. Single to Fernando off the penultimate ball, with Bhanuka ending the over with a boundary.

FOUR! Low full toss from Chahar, Bhanuka redirects it towards fine leg where Krunal puts in a slide in vain. SL 20/0

FOUR! Bhanuka works the ball behind square on the leg side as Deepak Chahar, much like Bhuvneshwar in the previous over, starts off his spell with a boundary. SL 14/0

After 1 over,Sri Lanka 10/0 ( Avishka Fernando 7 , Minod Bhanuka (W) 1)

Fernando edges the ball over slip off the very first delivery as Bhuvneshwar starts off with an out swinger, the ball racing away to third man for a boundary. Fernando, whose 76 helped the Lankans chase down 227 in the final ODI, collects a brace two balls later after working the ball towards deep square leg, before bringing partner Bhanuka on strike with a single. Couple of wides in the next three balls, with Bhanuka keeping the strike with a single off the last delivery.10 from the first over.

FOUR! Edged, and safe! Much like Prithvi Shaw earlier today, Avishka Fernando too starts off with an outside edge, only this one to fly over slip and run all the way towards third man. SL 4/0

Right then, Sri Lanka will fancy their chances today after restricting the Indians to 164, and a strong start is what they will be hoping for today. Out walks in-form opener Avishka Fernando alongside Minod Bhanuka, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowing the first over.

A good bowling performance from Sri Lanka to restrict India to 164/5. They studied the pitch well and took the pace off the ball. The Indian batsmen struggled for timing because of the slow nature of the pitch and the bowling. Suryakumar Yadav batted well for his half-century but he too struggled a bit for his timing. It could be a tricky chase for the Lankans because of the slow nature of the pitch.

After 20 overs,India 164/5 ( Ishan Kishan 20 , Krunal Pandya 3)

India post 164/5 from 20 overs! Karunaratne finishes well. Krunal and Ishan tried their best to power the slower balls through to the fence but couldn’t get them off the middle. Not a single boundary in the final over. 9 runs off it.

After 19 overs,India 155/5 ( Ishan Kishan 14 , Krunal Pandya 1)

It’s an impressive over from Chameera. He varied his pace nicely bowled those very full deliveries and got the wicket of Pandya. He could have had Kishan as well but Ramesh Mendis dropped his catch at deep square leg. 8 runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! Chameers sends back Pandya! Pandya’s struggles end. He’s looked off colour on this tour. It’s full and fast outside off, Pandya stays in his crease and looks to hammer it over the off side but only manages to get an outside edge to the keeper

Dropped! It’s a slower short delivery from Chameera, Kishan charges down and swings it across the line. Doesn’t connect it off the middle, but the fielder on the deep square leg fence makes a mess of it.

After 18 overs,India 149/4 ( Hardik Pandya 7 , Ishan Kishan 12)

Udana will be livid with himself for bowling that in-the-slot delivery off the penultimate ball. It was turning out to be a very good over with just three runs off the first four balls. Udana bowled them slower but then went for a 122 kmph full delivery which was dispatched over deep mid-wicket for a six. The last ball fetched India just a single. 10 runs off the over.

SIX! A much-needed boundary. It’s in the slot from Udana, Kishan thumps it over deep mid-wicket for a powerful maximum.

Udana back on…

After 17 overs,India 137/4 ( Hardik Pandya 4 , Ishan Kishan 5)

Chameera missed his lengths in that over. But still ended up bowling a decent over. He bowled a couple of full tosses. One was dispatched over point by Kishan for four. He then resorted to slower ones and gave away two singles off the last two balls. Just 7 runs off the over. India would look to push for 170-175 and these two would look to up the ante big time.

FOUR! Poor delivery! Full toss outside off from Chameera, Kishan smashes it through point.

Chameera back into the attack…

After 16 overs,India 130/4 ( Hardik Pandya 2 , Ishan Kishan 1)

Another very good comeback from a Sri Lankan bowler. Hasaranga got hit for a six off the first ball but then hit back to take the wicket of Suryakumar off the next ball and gave away just three singles off the next four balls. 9 runs and a wicket off the over.

Ishan Kishan is the new batsman…

OUT! Gets out the next ball. Suryakumar is disappointed with himself. It’s nicely bowled by Hasaranga. Flighted outside off and it spins away. Suryakumar looks to loft it down the ground but gets the outside half of the bat as he tries to reach the pitch of the ball. iT flies straight into the hands of the long off fielder.

SIX! FIFTY for Suryakumar! Stays in his crease and lofts it over long on. He’s batted well so far, struggled a bit with his timing but still, a very good innings on a slow pitch.

After 15 overs,India 121/3 ( Suryakumar Yadav 44 , Hardik Pandya 0)

A good over from Karunaratne, yes he got hit for a six but he also got the wicket of Dhawan and gave away just two more singles. Sri Lanka are bowling them all slow-slower-slowest. The Indian batsmen are looking to improvise especially Suryakumar Yadav. With Pandya in, we could expect some fireworks.

SIX! That would have pleased Suryakumar. It’s come off the middle. It’s the back of the hand slower one outside off, Suryakumar gets down and slog sweeps it over deep square leg.

Hardik Pandya is the new batsman.

OUT! Karunaratne strikes. And he is delighted as he gets Dhawan. 46 for the captain. He was looking to up the scoring with the rain falling down. He charges down the track, Karunaratne bowls the hard length, Dhawan swivels and goes for a hoick but doesn’t connect it well. The fielder at deep square leg takes a very good catch. Karunaratne is ecstatic.

After 14 overs,India 113/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 46 , Suryakumar Yadav 37)

The Sri Lankan bowlers are taking pace off the ball and it’s worked for them. Udana concentrated on bowling slower cutters and back of hand slower ones. Suryakumar started off the over with a four over square leg but then Udana bounced back well to bowl two dots and giving away just four more runs. Dhawan look to hit a couple out of the park but mistimed them to the leg side.

The drizzle has got a bit heavier……

FOUR! Nicely placed! Suryakumar exactly knew where the field was. He gets down and sweeps it uppishly over the square leg fielder.

After 13 overs,India 105/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 43 , Suryakumar Yadav 32)

Suryakumar has just lost a little bit of touch it seems. He’s not connecting them off the middle. He missed a slog sweep in that over as well. A very good over from Hasaranga, just four singles off it.

Hasaranga back on…

After 12 overs,India 101/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 41 , Suryakumar Yadav 30)

The 50 stand between Suryakumar and Dhawan has come up, off just 36 balls. Dhawan finally opened up again in that over after taking singles and twos in between. He slog swept one for a six and then absolutely hammered one for four straight down the ground. Four more singles off the rest four balls made it 14 off the over.

FOUR! Dhawan absolutely hammers it. It’s full and wide outside off, Dhawan reaches for it and smashes it straight back down the ground.

SIX! Dhawan finally gets into that aggressive mode again. Gets down the track and then on one knee and plunders it over deep mid-wicket off a slog sweep.

Dananjaya back on…

After 11 overs,India 87/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 29 , Suryakumar Yadav 28)

A decent over from Karunaratne, he nearly had Suryakumar in that over. Bowled that slower one and Suryakumar got a leading edge which fell short of the backward point fielder. Karunaratne concentrated on bowling slow-slower-slowest and didn’t give the batsmen too much pace to work with. Suryakumar did get a boundary, a scooped four in that over. 9 runs off the over.

FOUR! Suryakumar displaying his range of shots. He goes down on one knee, Karunaratne delivers it slower, Suryakumar waits and scoops it to fine leg.

Karunaratne back into the attack….

After 10 overs,India 78/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 27 , Suryakumar Yadav 22)

Udana bounced back well in that over. He changed his pace well and made it tougher for the batsmen to time the ball. However, it was another over where India got a boundary. We might see further acceleration though with the half-way stage done. Suryakumar hit the second ball for four through extra cover. The two batsmen picked up two singles and a two off the next four balls to make it 8 runs off the over.

FOUR! Nicely placed! Low full toss outside off from Udana, Suryakumar thumps it through extra cover.

After 9 overs,India 70/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 26 , Suryakumar Yadav 15)

Suryakumar Yadav has started to up the ante. His semi helicopter shot brought him a boundary and then a powerful cut through backward point brought another one. In between there were three singles. 11 runs off the over. Dhawan, it seems, is looking to play the anchor role while Suryakumar is looking to be the aggressor.

FOUR! Poor delivery from Hasaranga. Slow and wide outside off, Suryakumar waits and cuts it powerfully through backward point.

It’s drizzling out in the middle…

FOUR! Power and placement. It looked like a half helicopter. Full on middle, Suryakumar whips it over mid-wicket, the fielder on the fence gets a hand to it but it still trickles to the fence.

After 8 overs,India 59/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 25 , Suryakumar Yadav 5)

Shanaka bowled a clever over there. Changed the pace well. He saw Suryakumar going for a ramp shot so darted in a bouncer off which Suryakumar missed his pull. No boundary in that over, just 4 singles. Suryakumar, as always, has started off with an aggressive approach.

Did the early dismissal dent Shaw’s chances in England?

That ball alone should put plans to send Prithvi to England to rest. He's not ready to face that dukes ball.

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) July 25, 2021

Dasun Shanaka into the attack now….

After 7 overs,India 55/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 23 , Suryakumar Yadav 3)

A successful over for Sri Lanka. Hasaranga struck with his first ball and kept the scoring in check. Suryakumar Yadav finished the over looking to loft one over covers but got a thicking outside edge over point for a couple. Four runs and a wicket off the over. Sri Lanka needed a wicket and Hasaranga has provided it.

Suryakumar Yadav is the new batsman…

OUT! Hasaranga strikes off his first ball. Samson is trapped LBW! It’s full on middle and off and goes straight on after landing. Samson plays all over it, with minimal footwork looks to turn it to the leg side but misses it completely. The umpire lifts his finger straightaway and Samson decides against taking the review. It looked dead plumb.

Wanindu Hasaranga into the attack now

After 6 overs,India 51/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 22 , Sanju Samson (W) 27)

Samson upping the ante now. The batsmen are running well between the wickets. Samson smashes one straight down the ground for a six and then one through extra cover for a four. He then placed a couple through the leg side and scampered through a couple of well run twos. A single off the last ball made it 16 runs off the over. A good Powerplay for India 51/1 from 6 overs.

FOUR! Risky but effective! It’s the leg spinner for Dananjaya, Samson lofts it uppishly through extra cover.

SIX! HUGE! It’s a touch full outside off, Samson charges down the track and hammers it straight over the sightscreen for a 91m maximum.

After 5 overs,India 35/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 22 , Sanju Samson (W) 12)

A decent over from Udana. He varied his pace well. Meanwhile, Dhawan is looking in an aggressive mood tonight. He charges down the track off the first ball and lofts it over point for just a single and then again looks to hammer one over the off side but mistimes a slower one over cover-point for a couple. In between Samson survives a catch appeal and picks up a couple of singles. 6 runs off the over.

NOT OUT! It’s a touch full and wide from Udana, Samson absolutely smashes it, the fielder at extra cover dives forward and claims a catch. Replays show it had bounced just in front.

Well, well! The fielder has claimed a catch, the umpire’s soft signal is Not out! It’s been referred upstairs to see if the catch is clean. Samson is the batsman.

Isuru Udana into the attack now…

After 4 overs,India 29/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 18 , Sanju Samson (W) 10)

An eventful over that. Dhawan started off with a four through his sweep. Then drove one wide of long off for a couple and then again hit a four off the sweep. There was an LBW shout turned down by the umpire against Dhawan as it seemed to be missing leg. Then off the last ball, Dhawan and Samson set off for a risky single down the leg side, the fielder misses a direct hit. Samson was a goner had that hit. 11 runs off the over.

FOURS! Nicely placed! Dhawan takes on the spinner straightaway, gets down and sweeps it through mid-wicket. A ball later he again sweeps it, this time behind square for the second boundary of the over.

Akila Dananjaya into the attack now…

After 3 overs,India 18/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 8 , Sanju Samson (W) 10)

Good comeback from Chameera in that over. Samson started off the over well with a four off the first ball. It was short and wide and Samson cracked it through cover-point. A delivery later, Chameera darted in a bouncer which smashed into Samson’s helmet as he missed the pull. Samson then guided the leg cutter to third man for a single. And after a dot, Dhawan tucks one to the leg side for a single. After going for four off the first ball, Chameera gave away just two singles. He’s bowling at around mid 140s.

FOUR! Nicely done by Samson, effortless. A touch short and wide, Sanson lofts it over cover-point.

After 2 overs,India 12/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 7 , Sanju Samson (W) 5)

A decent over for India. Karunaratne too found swing first up, Dhawan drove it straight back, Karunaratne got a hand to it while diving to stop, the ball whizzed just past the stumps and after some hesitation, they set off for a single and completed it safely. Samson then guided one to third man for a single. And there were two more singles before Dhawan charged down the track and thumped one through covers for a four to make it 8 runs off the over.

FOUR! Nicely placed! Dhawan charges down the track and thumps a slightly wide one from Karunaratne through covers and to the fence.

Chahal over Chahar for India T20 WC plans?

Just looking at the Indian team for today, it is clear that Chahal is above Chahar in the pecking order for the T20 World Cup at the moment.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 25, 2021

Karunaratne will bowl from the other end…

After 1 overs,India 4/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan (C) 1 , Sanju Samson (W) 3)

Brilliant start from Chameera. He ramped up good pace and swung it as well. The first ball produced a wicket off a full outswinger. He bowls a similar delivery to Samson next up but Samson cautiously guides it to third man for a single. Dhawan then takes a single to get off the mark. And Samson gets an inside edge to the leg side for a couple. The last two balls are fast and swinging away and are cautiously left alone by Samson. 4 runs and a wicket off the over.

Sanju Samson is the new batsman…

OUT! What a start for Sri Lanka and what a delivery. A wicket off the first ball of the match. It’s very full outside off, and swings away late. Shaw plays a half-hearted drive and is done in by the late movement. He ends up edging it to the keeper. Chameera sets off in celebrations.

Right! Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan are the Indian openers out in the middle, Chameera will start off proceedings for Sri Lanka..

Stat: India have dominated the Sri Lankans in the T20Is as well, of the 19 matches between the two India have won 13 and lost just five with one ending in a No result.

The teams are out for national anthems…..

India XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Varun Chakravarthy

Sri Lanka XI: Avishka Fernando, Minod Bhanuka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Ashen Bandara, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera.

Those Nidahas Trophy memories have come rushing back

India playing a T20I at Colombo... it's been a long time! ☺️#INDvSL

— DK (@DineshKarthik) July 25, 2021

Toss – Dasun Shanaka has won the toss and Sri Lanka will field first. Shanaka reckons the wicket will get better for batting in the second half of the match. Shikhar Dhawan says that they were also looking to bowl first because of the dampness in the wicket.

Pitch – There seems to be some grass on the wicket. Still looks good for batting. Ajay Jadeja reckons the team winning the toss would look to bat first.

Stat: Sri Lanka are yet to beat India in a bilateral series in T20Is. They have played four series of two or more matches and lost all four.

JUST IN! Prithvi Shaw and Varun Chakravarthy have received their T20I caps.

Indian batsmen would be looking to put up a much better batting performance in the T20Is. It was the batting failure that hurt them in the final ODI. Throughtout the series none of the batsmen managed to get to the three-figure mark. There were a lot of thirties, fourties and fifties. However, this is one of the most exciting batting line-ups with flair and flamboyance and the youngsters would be looking to make most of the chances.

Meanwhile at the biggest sporting event in the world, India had another mixed outing on Day 2 of competitions at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. While the likes of Manika Batra and MC Mary Kom advanced in the table tennis and boxing respectively, the Indian shooters had another off day and the men’s hockey team suffered a thrashing against Australia worse than what the women’s side endured at the hands of Netherlands yesterday.

SKY, Shaw to fly to England

Impressed with their performances in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, BCCI has decided to fly Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw to England to join Virat Kohli and the rest of the first-choice Indian players ahead of the marquee Test series against Joe Root and Co this summer.

Chakravarthy set for debut in 1st T20I

After five debuts in the final one-dayer against Sri Lanka, a first for the Indian team in a long time, we are set to witness another Indian debut today with Tamil Nadu leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy set to make his international debut at the start of the T20I leg of the tour, in which the Men in Blue once again enter as favourites after their 2-1 triumph in the one-day series.

Hello and welcome to the coverage of the 1st T20I between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo. Match starts at 8 PM IST, with the toss taking place at 7.30 PM IST. Follow this space for live scores and updates.