Team India got off to a sloppy start in the second T20I against Sri Lanka in Pune. Earlier, the fast bowlers had the worst day at the office as they conceded too many runs.
The likes of Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Mavi and Umran Malik were on the receiving end as they were tonked by Sri Lankan batters all over the park. While Arshdeep Singh conceded 37 runs in just two overs and bowled five no-balls, Shivam Mavi conceded 53 runs in four overs.
On other hand, Umran Malik was pretty good with the ball as he took three wickets to his name but conceded 48 runs in his quota of 4 overs. In the end, Sri Lanka posted a mammoth total of 206/6 in their quota of 20 overs.
Dasun Shanaka was the pick of the batters for Sri Lanka as he scored 56 off 22 balls with the help of two fours and 6 sixes. Kusal Mendis chipped in with 52 off 31 balls including 3 fours and 4 maximums.
Axar Patel smacks a quickfire fifty off just 20 balls
When Team India lost the top-order batters for cheap scores, Axar Patel let his bat do the talking as he showcased his mettle by playing a fearless brand of cricket.
Axar Patel smashed a quickfire half-century off just 20 balls, which was his first-ever fifty in the shortest format of the game. He constructed his innings by smacking sixes and fours at will.
Axar Patel who took two wickets with the ball went on to deliver the goods with the bat. He drew plaudits for his spectacular all-round performance. He scored his career-best 65 off 31 balls (3 fours, 6 sixes). Sri Lanka won the game by 16 runs and levelled the series at 1-1.
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka
India (Playing XI): Ishan Kishan(w), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Rahul Tripathi, Hardik Pandya(c), Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, Shivam Mavi, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
Well done Axar Patel, you have won our hearts
— saistunz (@saistunz10) January 5, 2023
This is Hardik Pandya's first defeat as T20I captain
— saistunz (@saistunz10) January 5, 2023
Those no balls costed us the game 😴
— Messi_Kohli_Neymar's fanboi 🤠(@Goat4521Messi) January 5, 2023
Clearly no ball made the difference
— Mr Wrong 🥶 (@wrong_huihui) January 5, 2023
No Balls Defeated India 😃😃
— Colt (@Colt26787607) January 5, 2023
A great memorable fightback from SKY and Axar ..but ultimately it proved too much due to freebies conceded by Ind bowlers.
— movieman (@movieman777) January 5, 2023
