India Secures T20 Series Sweep Against Sri Lanka with Thrilling Super Over Victory

India’s bowlers delivered late strikes, and world champions triumphed over Sri Lanka in a Super Over, clinching the final Twenty20 match of their three-game series in Pallekele on Tuesday. This clean sweep marked a successful start for new coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav.

Dramatic Finish in Super Over

Washington Sundar, who had earlier taken 2-23, claimed two wickets in the Super Over, limiting Sri Lanka to just two runs in four balls. Suryakumar Yadav sealed the win with a boundary off the first ball of India’s response.

Sri Lanka’s Collapse

Chasing 138 for a consolation win on a deteriorating pitch, Sri Lanka’s steady start with Kusal Mendis’ 43 was undone as they lost quick wickets. With nine runs needed off 12 balls, Kusal Perera’s dismissal for 46 by Rinku Singh and Ramesh Mendis’ quick departure set the stage for a tense finish. Suryakumar Yadav’s final over saw two more wickets fall, leaving Sri Lanka needing six runs to win. Chamindu Wickramasinghe managed to force a Super Over by scoring two runs off the last ball, but Sri Lanka’s hopes faded quickly.

India’s Innings

India, asked to bat first after a rain-delayed toss, struggled as they lost half their side for 48 runs within nine overs. Maheesh Theekshana sparked the collapse with two wickets, but Shubman Gill’s patient 39 helped stabilize the innings. Gill, returning after missing the last match due to a neck issue, was stumped while charging Wanindu Hasaranga, who then dismissed Riyan Parag for 26, leaving India at 105-7. Theekshana bowled out Sundar for 25 in the final over, and Mendis ran out Mohammed Siraj, restricting India to 137-9.

Upcoming ODI Series

The teams will face off in a three-match one-day international series in Colombo starting Friday. India’s squad will see the return of test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma and batting stalwart Virat Kohli, along with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who retired from T20s following India’s World Cup triumph last month.

Sri Lanka’s New Captain

Earlier on Tuesday, Sri Lanka announced Charith Asalanka as the new T20 captain, replacing Kusal Mendis.