Sri Lanka vs India, IND in SL, 3 T20Is, 2024 Full score card

FOUR! DONE AND DUSTED! Hardik Pandya wraps things in style for India. Pathirana bowls at 146 kph, but provides width outside off, on a good length, Hardik Pandya stays leg side of the ball and slashes hard at it and manages to find the gap between deep third and backward point for a boundary. India seal the series by 2-0.

FOUR! SCORES LEVEL! Pandya is in a hurry to finish off things now! Matheesha Pathirana serves right into the hitting zone, on a fuller length, around off, Hardik Pandya clears the front foot to open up the off side, uses his bottom hand and slams it over the leaping mid off fielder for a boundary.

Slower one, on the back of a length, Rishabh Pant hops on the back foot and tucks it towards deep square leg for a single. Just 5 needed off 11 balls now.

SIX! SHOT! Short and on middle, Hardik Pandya reads the length early, goes back quickly and pulls it mercilessly behind deep mid-wicket for a cracking six. Hasaranga has gone for 36 runs in his quota of 2 overs. Another ordinary outing for him with the ball. India just a hit away from the series win now.

Tossed up on leg, Rishabh Pant strides ahead, flicks it to long on for a single.

Rishabh Pant walks out to the middle with India requiring 13 runs from 14 balls.

OUT! TAKEN! Jaiswal perishes but he has played a magnificent inning of 30 from just 15 deliveries, doing what was asked of him. Hasaranga bowls it slower through the air, providing more revolutions to this one, lands it on the good length around off, Yashasvi Jaiswal uses the depth of the crease and looks to attack with a pull shot. He goes airborne again but doesn't get the timing right this time around. He fails to clear deep mid-wicket fence. Dasun Shanaka stationed there in the deep times his jump to perfection and takes a sharp catch, just before the ropes.

SIX! Yashasvi Jaiswal is on the charge! Full in length, at middle and leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal skips down the track, and again takes the aerial route, and spanks it behind deep mid-wicket for a six.

Good length around the off stump. Pandya rocks back and cuts it through cover for a run.

FOUR! Swept away! Wanindu Hasaranga drops a friendly half volley on the line of the stumps, Hardik Pandya reads it nicely, sits on his knee and sweeps it past deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Full length ball outside the off stump. Pandya clears his front leg and hoicks it very hard, but ends up getting an inside edge towards deep backward square leg for one. 24 runs needed off 18 for India.

Length ball, at 146 kph, on the leg stump. Pandya flicks it to widish long on for a couple of runs to get off the mark.

A slower bumper on the off stump. Pandya opts to let it pass.

Back of a length, a slower one, outside off, Pandya slashes hard and inside edges to the keeper.

Hardik Pandya walks in at number 4 with India needing 27 runs in 22 balls.

OUT! CAUGHT! Pathirana strikes back strongly! He spears in a fuller-length delivery at 146 kph, around the off stump line, Suryakumar Yadav gets low and looks to loft it downtown but fails to get his bat properly underneath the ball. He does go through the shot but toe ends it towards long on where the experienced Sri Lankan, Dasun Shanaka runs forward from long on, settles under it and takes a simple catch. Suryakumar Yadav departs on 26 (12). Pathirana breaks the 39-run stand. But is it too little too late? Pretty much so!

SIX! Punished! Matheesha Pathirana spills it down the leg side and overpitches it, Suryakumar Yadav accesses his productive area by simply using the pace of the ball, and lifting it behind deep fine leg for a six.

2 from Maheesh Theekshana's first but 15 from his second, a set of contrasting overs which shows that it is difficult to grip the ball. Theekshana completes his quota of 2 overs now. Matheesha Pathirana has been brought into the attack now.

Very full by Theekshana, on middle, Suryakumar Yadav sweeps it again to deep backward square leg for a single. The Indian skipper will keep the strike. Theekshana goes for 15 in his second and final over. 33 needed for India off 24 balls.

Quicker and flatter at the pads, on a nagging length, Yashasvi Jaiswal misses the flick and wears it on the pads. The ball rolls on the leg side for a leg bye.

On a fullish length, on middle and leg, Suryakumar Yadav sweeps it along the ground to deep backward square leg for one.

FOUR! Make that three in three for Suryakumar Yadav! Another delivery gone wrong by Theekshana, low full toss, on middle, Suryakumar Yadav loses his shape a bit as he swings for the sweep. Gets more of a top edge but it lands well wide of the deep mid-wicket fielder and it beats the fielder there to his right despite the dive for a boundary.

FOUR! Hit to the left of deep backward square leg this time but the result is the same. Suryakumar Yadav is toying with the field here. Thigh high full toss, on off, Suryakumar Yadav does not miss out on this freebie as he sweeps it through square leg for four more runs.

FOUR! Skillfully done! Theekshana pushes it through, full and around off, Suryakumar Yadav fetches it from outside off and sweeps it to the right of deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Change? Or will Theekshana get his second over? He will. Conceded just 2 from his previous over, along with a wicket of Samson. Will he get the better of SKY? Let's find out.

A loud shout for LBW but the umpire shakes his head! Wanindu Hasaranga is pretty confident and Charith Asalanka takes the review. The only thing that can save Yashasvi Jaiswal here is if the ball has pitched outside leg. Has it? Let's see. Hasaranga gives the ball nice air, full and it is the googly, on middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal gets tempted by the flight and goes for the slog sweep. Misses and gets pinged on the back leg. There is no bat involved but the Ball Tracking shows the ball to have pitched outside leg. Sri Lanka lose their review.

Loops it up, full and on the pads, swept to deep backward square leg for one by Suryakumar Yadav.

FOUR! Suryakumar Yadav brings out the sweep now! Turning out to be a great over for India, 15 runs off the over already. Too full by Hasaranga, on middle, Suryakumar Yadav rolls his wrists on the ball and gets a good stride in to sweep it to the left of deep square leg for a four.

Slower through the air, fuller and on middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal helps the sweep to deep backward square leg for a run.

FOUR! Innovative and effective! Hasaranga under pressure. A six followed by a four. Hasaranga pulls the length back and attacks the stumps, Yashasvi Jaiswal reverse his stance and reverse slaps it past backward point for a boundary.

SIX! Yashasvi Jaiswal greets Wanindu Hasaranga with a six! Hasaranga floats it up, full and on middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal reaches out in front and nails the slog sweep. Hits it flat and over deep square leg for a six.

Change? Yup. Spin from both ends now. Asalanka has moved toward Wanindu Hasaranga right after the fielding restrictions have been lifted up.

Tries to bowl it on a fullish length does Theekshana but it comes out as a low full toss, on middle, Suryakumar Yadav whips it straight to mid-wicket. A brilliant first over by Theekshana, 2 runs and a wicket off it. At the end of the Powerplay, India are 14/1.

Good stop! Theekshana bowls it flat and short, on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal changes his stance and brings out the switch hit. Hits it along the ground to backward point where Matheesha Pathirana dives to his left and takes the sting out of the ball. Just a single off it then.

Theekshana changes his angle of attack as he comes from around the wicket and dishes it out on a fullish length. Yashasvi Jaiswal gets down for the sweep but misses.

Slanting in, fuller and quicker, whipped to wide long on for a single by Suryakumar Yadav to get off the mark.

This goes the other way! Theekshana bowls it short in length, around off, Suryakumar Yadav plays for the ball coming into him but this holds its line and nips away to beat the bat. Suryakumar gets squared up but does not lose his balance.

Theekshana comes, and Theekshana strikes! Who walks in next to bat? The Indian skipper, Suryakumar Yadav is in at number 3.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Maheesh Theekshana strikes with his first delivery! A golden duck for Sanju Samson. Theekshana begins from over the wicket and slips in the carrom ball, on a nagging length, at the stumps and the ball just skids through. Sanju Samson stays rooted in the crease and fails to pick the carrom ball. He plays outside the line of the ball and the ball sneaks past the inside edge to rattle into the stumps. Samson departs for a duck!

Who bowls the second over? Spin straight away! Maheesh Theekshana to bowl the second over. How much can he squeeze India in this last over of the field restrictions?

In the air...but safe! Another slower delivery by Dasun Shanaka, at the stumps, on a length, Yashasvi Jaiswal leaves nothing in the tank and swings to go back over the bowler's head. Gets a thickish outside edge that sails over backward point. Maheesh Theekshana gives it a chase and slides to keep it down to two.

Big swing and a miss! Slower by Shanaka, on a length, around leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal swings himself off his feet as he throws his kitchen sink at it but connects with thin air. Kusal Mendis scores an underarm throw at the batting end. The third umpire is called into action. The replays show that Jaiswal is in before the stumps are disturbed.

FOUR! No sighters needed for Yashasvi Jaiswal! Shaping back in a bit, on middle, on a back of a length, Yashasvi Jaiswal clears his front leg and swings for the pull. Gets it high on the bat but gets enough bat on it to clear mid-wicket and it skips away off the turf for a boundary.

All set for the play to resume now! Sri Lankan players have taken their fielding positions now. The two Indian openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson are out in the middle to continue their innings. Dasun Shanaka is ready with the ball to complete his first over. Here we go...

UPDATE - 10.35 pm IST (5.05 pm GMT) - We have an update!!! The chase has been officially reduced to 8 overs now, with the target being revised to 78 runs, and it will resume at 10.45 pm IST (5.15 pm GMT). There will be a powerplay of 2 overs. Four bowlers will be allowed to bowl a maximum of 2 overs. As three deliveries were already bowled before the break with 6 runs on the board, India now needs 72 runs off 45 deliveries. The Sri Lankan players are waiting near the ropes. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson too, are in all readiness. The wet ground conditions will probably benefit for the batting side as the ball won't grip much for the bowlers. It will be very interesting to see how the Sri Lankan bowlers negotiate the with the conditions now.

UPDATE - 10.27 pm IST (4.57 pm GMT) - The Sri Lankan players are walking down the stairs now and are gearing up. The umpires are conveying their observations about the pitch to both the skippers. Stay tuned as the revised playing conditions will be updated very soon now.

UPDATE - 10.17 pm IST (4.47 pm GMT) - Positive news! The covers are finally coming off, but we have started to lose overs, so whenever we resume, it will be a shortened game. The match officials are in a conversation with Suryakumar Yadav, probably informing him about the revised playing conditions. The Super Soppers are at work as the ground staff try to mop up the outfield to get the field ready for play. More promising signs as the two umpires are making their way out to inspect the outfield. Stick around as we are not far away from getting an update regarding the resumption.

UPDATE - 10.05 pm IST (4.35 pm GMT) - The match officials are out there with their umbrellas folded, which is a good sign. However, the covers are yet to come off completely, so it looks like this is going to be a longer delay than we previously thought. Given the amount of time we lost before the start of play coupled with this delay, it will most certainly be a shortened game if and when the play resumes. Stick around for more news.

UPDATE - 9.52 pm IST (4.22 pm GMT) - GOOD NEWS!!! The rain has stopped now. The covers are gradually being peeled off from the squares, and the ground staff is working hard so that the play starts as quickly as possible. Stay tuned as we might get an update soon regarding the possible resumption of play. Let's hope for the best.

UPDATE - 9.40 pm IST (4.10 pm GMT) - The rain has significantly reduced now, which is a good sign. But, it is still drizzling a fair bit for the play to stay halted.

Oops! The showers have started to pour in very heavily and the groundstaff rush in with the sheets from all sides to cover the pitch. It just looks like the heavens have opened up, the downpour is really very heavy at the moment.

FOUR! Another lapse in the field. Fuller and angled across, on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal nails the drive to the right of mid off and Charith Asalanka there is late to put the dive in. The ball rockets under his dive for a boundary.

DROPPED! Matheesha Pathirana never looked comfortable under it! Shanaka bowls it on a full length, on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal skips down the track and looks to go down the ground. Airs it high in the night sky over mid on. Matheesha Pathirana turns around but fails to get anywhere close to it. The ball swirls away from Pathirana as he puts in a dive but the ball falls well wide of him. Two runs taken. Yashasvi Jaiswal and India are away!

Shanaka starts from over the wicket and gets a hint of inward shape, full and on leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal misses the flick shot and wears it on the front pad.

OUT! STUMPED! Cleverly bowled by Axar Patel! Axar slows it up smartly, on a nagging length, spinning away, outside off. Ramesh Mendis gives the bowler the charge and swings to go back over the bowler's head. Misses the line of the ball completely. The keeper, Rishabh Pant takes it to his right and does the rest. Mendis is nowhere in the frame. Axar finishes with two wickets as Sri Lanka end on 161!

A loud shout for LBW but the umpire shakes his head! Axar gets the ball to slide on with the angle, full and on middle, Ramesh Mendis gets down for the slog sweep again. The ball keeps coming on with the angle to sneak under the bat. It pings him on the crouched back leg. India take the review. No bat involved but the Ball Tracking shows the ball to be going down leg. Another excellent decision by Ruchira Palliyaguruge.

SIX! A welcome six for Sri Lanka! A boundary after 4 overs for the hosts. Axar spears it in right in the slot, on middle and leg, Ramesh Mendis gets his front leg out of the way early and slogs it over deep mid-wicket for a six.

Pushes it through, short and on middle, Maheesh Theekshana stabs it on the leg side for a single.

Axar does the trick with his deception! Who walks in next to bat? Matheesha Pathirana is in at number 10.

OUT! Axar Patel strikes timber! Axar slows it up and that results in him getting the required away turn, on a lenght, around off, Maheesh Theekshana gives himself room to go over cover but misses as the ball spins away to clatter into the off pole.

This slides across the batter, full and on off, Ramesh Mendis changes his stance and reverse sweeps it to deep point for one.

Who bowls the final over? Will it be Siraj? Or Arshdeep? None. Suryakumar Yadav has tossed the ball to Axar Patel for the last over. He is 3-0-22-0 so far. How many can Sri Lanka get? Can they go past 160?

A sharp and quick bumper by Arshdeep Singh, at the helmet of the batter. Maheesh Theekshana ducks and lets it go. 6 runs and the big wicket of Charith Asalanka for India from this over.

Misfield! Mohammed Siraj is the culprit and he gifts away 2 runs to Sri Lanka. On a back of a length, angled across, dabbed to backward point by Maheesh Theekshana where Siraj lets it go through his legs for a couple of runs.

This has been a magnificent comeback from India. The Sri Lanka captain falls. Who walks in next to bat? Maheesh Theekshana is in at number 9.

OUT! CAUGHT! It continues to go from bad to worse for Sri Lanka! They needed their skipper to bat through but he holes out. Second wicket of the night for Arshdeep Singh. Arshdeep tries to nail the yorker and dishes it out on a fullish length. Charith Asalanka crouches and takes it on the full to play the pick-up shot on the leg side. Gets this one off the toe end of the bat and it goes only as far as deep mid-wicket where Sanju Samson settles under it and takes the simplest of catches. From 130-2, Sri Lanka have slipped to 151-7.

Bangs it into the deck, at the batter. Ramesh Mendis is unable to free his arms and mistimes the pull to deep backward square leg for one.

Keeps it away from the batter's arc, short and wide on off. Charith Asalanka reaches out and toe-ends the shot to deep cover for a run. The 150 comes up for Sri Lanka with this single.

At 132 kph, full and angling in, on off, Charith Asalanka goes deep in the crease and lofts it to the right of long off for a couple of runs. Riyan Parag mops it up in the deep.

Flatter and shorter, outside off, Charith Asalanka punches it to the left of the bowler and retains the strike with a single. Just 5 runs off the over. With two overs remaining, Sri Lanka are 147/6.

Fired in, fuller and at the stumps, Ramesh Mendis flicks it off the inner half of the bat to square leg and gets to the other end.

Short and on off, Ramesh Mendis gets on the back foot and steers it to short third.

Going across the batter, short and on off, Charith Asalanka glides it wide of short third for a single.

Half a shout for LBW but Ramesh Mendis got an inside edge there. Speared in, full and on middle, Ramesh Mendis gets an inside edge onto his pads and it rolls away for a single.

Darted across the batter, short and on off, Charith Asalanka punches it to the left of the bowler for a single.

Very slow through the air, drifting to the leg stump line, on a fuller length, Ramesh Mendis tickles it to deep fine and calls immediately for the second run. Ramesh Mendis has to hurry as the throw comes in lightning quick at the keeper's end. Pant collects and whips off the bails in a flash but Ramesh Mendis manages to dive back home safely in time.

Kept out solidly by Ramesh Mendis. No hat-trick for Bishnoi. Another googly by Bishnoi, Ramesh Mendis gets a good stride and defends it out.

Oh dear! This is getting from bad to worse for Sri Lanka, especially after the kind of start they got!  Ramesh Mendis comes in at number 8 and will face the Hat Trick ball.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Wanindu Hasaranga goes for the big shot on the first ball he faces and hears the death rattle. Double strike by Ravi Bishnoi and he is on a hat-trick now. Bishnoi dishes out the googly and it is much fuller, on middle Wanindu Hasaranga goes for a hoick across the line but misses it completely and the ball goes through to rattle the furniture. From 130-2, Sri Lanka have slipped to 140-6.

Another mini-collapse for Sri Lanka here! Three wickets in the span of 8 deliveries. Wanindu Hasaranga is in at number 7.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Ravi Bishnoi strikes on his return to the attack. A diamond duck in the first game and a golden duck in this one. Dasun Shanaka isn't having the best of times with the bat. Slips in the quicker and it is shorter, on off, Dasun Shanaka gets on the back foot to keep it out but the ball comes in with the angle to catch the inside edge and it crashes back onto the stumps. Shanaka's lean patch extends. Sri Lanka are losing their way here.

Drops it short and on off, Charith Asalanka pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Sliding across, short and on off, Charith Asalanka has a half-hearted push at the delivery and misses.

OUT! TAKEN! Two in the over for Hardik Pandya and this is a sharp catch by Rinku Singh in the deep! Both set batters back in the hut for Sri Lanka in the space of 4 legal balls. Hardik bends his back and bangs it into the deck, over middle. Kusal Perera hangs on the back foot and pulls it hard and flat. It goes straight down the throat of deep square leg where Rinku Singh dives in front and takes a good low catch. Perera goes for a well-made 53. Sri Lanka are now 139-4.

Dasun Shanaka, the veteran is in at number 6.

WIDE! And again! Hardik tries the leg stump line again, full and straying down leg. Kusal Perera swings to help it away but misses.

WIDE! Pace taken off but it goes down leg. Kusal Perera goes for a swipe across the line but misses. Wide called.

Lands it on a short of a good length, on off, Charith Asalanka dabs it with soft hands in front of cover-point and takes a quick single.

SIX! Effortlessly hit! Pandya goes short but it is not short enough to trouble the batter. Charith Asalanka stands tall and nails the pull over deep mid-wicket. Gets off the mark with a six.

A mix-up but no harm done! Hardik bowls it on a back of a length, on off, Charith Asalanka taps it in front of cover and sets off for a quick single. Asaslanka gets sent back and he is a bit late to turn around. Suryakumar Yadav swoops in but fails to gather it cleanly, allowing Asalanka to make his ground.

Beaten! Angling across, in the channel on off, on a back of a length, Charith Asalanka fiddles at the delivery and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Who walks in next to bat? The Lankan skipper, Charith Asalanka is in at number 5.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Rinku Singh makes no mistake this time! The ploy to make Kamindu Mendis towards the leg side has worked out well for Hardik Pandya and India. With four fielders in the deep on the leg side, Hardik serves it full and on the pads, Kamindu Mendis lifts it off his pads but fails to get the distance behind it. Skies it high in the air towards deep square leg where Rinku Singh runs to his right and settles under it to take a safe catch.

Fired in from around the wicket, full and on the pads, swept through backward square leg for a single by Kamindu Mendis. Parag is done for the night with the ball. He ends with figures of 4-0-30-0.

Good length around the off stump. Kamindu Mendis works this one away to cover.

Full on the stumps. Mendis pushes it on the front foot to the left of the bowler.

EDGED AND FOUR! Flat and quick this time by Parag, turns away from off, and stays relatively low on the bounce as well. Kamindu Mendis goes for a cut shot but gets a bad bounce. The ball takes the inside edge and nutmegs the keeper going between his legs. It travels very quickly behind the keeper. Hardik Pandya from short fine gives it a chase but the ball has got enough wheels to breach into the fence.

Tossed up, on a length on middle, Kusal Perera uses the depth of the crease and tucks it to the leg side for one.

Aimed at the leg pole, full in length, Kamindu Mendis reverse sweeps it past point for a single.

Too straight again by Pandya, on a back of a length, Kamindu Mendis tucks it to deep square leg for a single.

Pandya gets away with it! Down leg again, on a back of a length, Kamindu Mendis gets inside the line of the ball to tickle it fine but misses. No signal from the umpire. It probably brushed the thigh pad on its way to the keeper.

Back of a length on the leg stump. Perera pulls it to deep backward square leg for a single.

WIDE! Short, but goes over the batter's head. Wide called. Fourth wide of the over so far.

SIX! 50 for Kusal Perera! What a spectacular inning from him off just 31 deliveries. Length ball from Pandya, on the middle and leg, Kusal Perera mistimes his pull in the air and the ball travels towards deep square leg where Rinku Singh in the deep moves to his left, and takes a reverse cup catch, but slips with the momentum and his feet disturb the boundary cushion with the ball in his hand. Unlucky, really unlucky there! That kind of day in the field for Rinku Singh. Six then.

TWO WIDES! Oh, dear! Pandya is really struggling here! Spills a slower one, down leg. Kamindu Mendis lets it go. The ball reaches Pant on a couple of bounces. He gets a bad bounce as he tries to collect on the dive to his right. The ball ricochets off his gloves and goes to the short fine region. They cross.

Angling on the pads, on a length, Kusal Perera misses to connect the flick off his bat. Gets rapped on the thigh pad and the ball runs to deep fine. A leg bye taken.

WIDE! He will have to reload again! Another one going way down the leg side, Kusal Perera sees the ball pass. The umpire stretches his arms to signal for a wide.

WIDE! Down leg, on a fuller length, Kusal Perera misses to flick and wide is called.

Back of a length, on middle, Kamindu Mendis tucks it to long on for one.

Good length, around off, Kusal Perera rocks back but misses to cut it away. Rishabh Pant collects it behind the stumps and flashes off the bails as Perera gets a bit off-balanced after playing the shot. Pant appeals for a stumping and the umpires send it upstairs. The side-on replay comes in and confirms that Kusal Perera had his foot behind the popping crease when the wickets were broken. NOT OUT.

Oh, nice one! Slower through the air, turning away from off, Kusal Perera waits and draws his front foot ahead to block it. He plays it inside the line of the ball and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Full, on middle and leg, Kamindu Mendis drives it to long off for a single.

FOUR! Punished! Overpitched, on the middle, Kamindu Mendis gets his bat underneath the ball and lifts it over the bowler's head for a boundary. Second of this over.

Full, on middle, Kamindu Mendis gets ahead and plays it to point.

FOUR! 100 up for Sri Lanka! Drops it full and on the line of the stumps, Kamindu Mendis stays leg side of the ball and lifts it inside out over the cover region for a boundary. Rinku Singh chases it but the ball wins the race eventually.

FOUR! Ends the over with a crucial boundary! Googly on a fullish length, spinning away outside off, Kusal Perera clears his front leg, reads the googly well off Bishnoi's hand and lofts it nicely over covers for a boundary.

Full, on middle, this is flicked away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up, on the stumps, Kusal Perera works it to deep backward point for a single.

Googly, on a length around off, Kusal Perera misses to cut it away.

FOUR! Fortuitous! Another googly on offer, pushed through flat and with a bit of bounce as well. Kusal Perera gets down for a sweep but the ball takes the top edge and flies over the keeper and through to the fence for a boundary.

A flatter wrong'un on off, Kamindu Mendis is quick to rock back and pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Full, on middle, Mendis flicks it to long on for one.

Another error in the field by Rinku Singh! Full and on the stumps, Kamindu Mendis lofts it off the bottom end of the bat towards widish long off. Rinku Singh runs to his right and overruns, allowing the ball to parry behind him. Allows two.

FOUR! Width on offer and punished! Dragged length, outside off, Kamindu Mendis goes back and cuts it strongly past point for a boundary.

That spun degrees! Excellent delivery this from Parag! He flights it up, lands it on off and turns it away sharply from the left-hander. Kamindu Mendis attempts to defend it on the front foot and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Quicker, flatter, just outside off, Kamindu Mendis rocks back and goes for a cut, misses.

Tossed up, on off, full in length, Kusal Perera is drawn forward to block it, gets an inside edge to square leg and takes a quick single.

At 100 kph, hurled in by Bishnoi, at the pads, Kamindu Mendis misses the sweep and wears it on the pads. End of a successful over for Ravi Bishnoi and India.

Looped up by Bishnoi, full and on off, Kamindu Mendis lunges and taps it to cover.

Going across the batter as this slides away, on off, on a nagging length, Kamindu Mendis pushes at the delivery and gets beaten on the outside edge.

A dramatic turn of events, and the umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge stays spot on yet again with his decision. Kamindu Mendis is the new batter in at number 4.

OUT! LBW! Not even half an appeal from the Indians and up goes the finger! Pathum Nissanka reviews almost immediately. Did he get some bat on it or does he think the impact is outside off? Let's see. Ravi Bishnoi dishes out the googly, quicker and turning in sharply, on off. Pathum Nissanka looks to run it down to short third and does succeed in getting the ball there. Nissanka crosses over as the ball rolls off his bat to short third. Sees the dreaded finger and takes the review. The UltraEdge shows that the ball brushed the back pad first before going onto make contact with the bat. The Ball Tracking shows the impact to be umpire's call and it is hitting the wickets. The on-field decision of OUT is upheld. Nissanka falls for 32 and Sri Lanka are now 80/2.

Pushes it through does Bishnoi, full and on leg, Kusal Perera sweeps it to short fine leg for a single.

DROPPED! Rinku Singh gets there but fails to hold on! Ravi Bishnoi floats the googly up there, full and on middle, Kusal Perera goes for the slog sweep and gets a top edge that flies towards deep backward square leg. Rinku Singh runs to his left and dives but the ball bursts through his hands. The converging Yashasvi Jaiswal mops it up and keeps it down to two.

Beats the bat now! Bowls the leg break and this spins away from the right-hander, short and outside off, Pathum Nissanka pokes at the delivery and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Grip and turn! Slower through the air by Parag, short and on off, Kusal Perera waits on the back foot and waits before tucking it past mid-wicket for a single.

That could have gone anywhere! This goes straight on, short and on off, Kusal Perera closes the bat face early and gets a leading edge that lands well wide of the bowler.

Even quicker by Parag as this is at 89 kph, short and outside off, Kusal Perera reverses his stance to play the switch hit but misses.

At 85 kph, slanting in, on a good length, on middle, punched down to long on for a single by Pathum Nissanka. The 50-run stand comes up between these two batters.

FOUR! A loosener and Pathum Nissanka makes the most of it. A rank long hop by Riyan Parag, on middle, Pathum Nissanka transfers his weight on the back foot and pulls it to deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Change. Riyan Parag has been brought into the attack now, replacing Ravi Bishnoi.

This keeps coming with the angle from around the wicket, on a nagging length, Pathum Nissanka looks to keep it out with a straight bat but gets an inside edge towards short fine leg. A slight misfield at short fine leg by Arshdeep Singh but the batters stay content with just a single.

Coming in with the arm, fuller and outside off, not short enough for the cut and Pathum Nissanka gets beaten on the outside edge.

Axar varies his length as this is short and on middle, Kusal Perera turns it through square leg and turns the strike over.

Axar lands it full and outside off, Kusal Perera fetches the sweep towards deep backward square leg where Ravi Bishnoi covers good ground to his left but fumbles and concedes an extra run.

Drags the length back and this is a bit quicker, on off, Kusal Perera pulls it wide of long on for a couple of runs.

WIDE! A bit slower but the line is down leg, Kusal Perera sweeps but fails to connect. Wide given.

Quick single taken! Fired in, short and on off, Pathum Nissanka pats it in front of point and steals a quick single.

FOUR! Too straight and these are easy pickings! Short and strays on the pads does Bishnoi, Kusal Perera gets inside the line and pulls it behind square on the leg side for four more runs. An expensive start by Ravi Bishnoi, 9 runs off it.

This goes straight on and there is a bit of extra bounce, on middle, Kusal Perera gets down and sweeps it to short fine leg.

Short and on off, Kusal Perera makes room and cuts but it goes straight to cover-point.

FOUR! Gap picked to perfection! Bishnoi drops it short and outside off, Kusal Perera stays on the back foot and brings his wrists into play to pull it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Gets the googly in, short and outside off, Kusal Perera reaches out and toe-ends the shot to cover.

Bishnoi fires it in straight away and gets the ball to skid through at 95 kph, short and on middle, Pathum Nissanka is a bit rushed and hurriedly pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Ravi Bishnoi is into the attack now. Also, the groundstaff has rushed to the covers near the ropes. A slight drizzle, but not THAT concerning at the moment. The play will continue.

Angled across the batter, on a nagging length, Kusal Perera waits a bit but cuts it straight to backward point. At the end of the Powerplay, Sri Lanka are 54/1.

This is on a hard length, on off, Pathum Nissanka hangs on the back foot and punches it down to long off for a single.

A big, big shout for LBW but turned down! Axar Patel, Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav have a confab and SKY takes the review with a couple of seconds left on the timer. This was pushed through by Axar, fuller in length, on middle, Pathum Nissanka gets down for the slog sweep but the ball sneaks under his bat and pings him on the back leg. The ball does not have much to travel and this looks close. There is nothing on UltraEdge but the Ball Tracking shows the ball to be sliding down with the angle and missing the leg pole. India lose their review.

Floats it up, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka blocks it out back to bowler.

FOUR! Asking to be hit and Pathum Nissanka obliges! Slower and shorter, width on offer on off. Pathum Nissanka gets on the back foot quickly and slaps it past cover for more runs.

FOUR! Gets it through! Axar Patel comes into the attack and starts from around the wicket. Darts it in and the ball keeps coming in with the angle. Short and at the stumps, Pathum Nissanka makes room and cuts it late, beating Sanju Samson to his left at backward point for a boundary.

Absolute peach! Good comeback from Siraj! Good length, angling away from the southpaw around off, Kusal Perera plays inside the line of the ball and gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! Gracious shot! Siraj stretches his length this time, goes full, and on middle, Kusal Perera presents full face of the bat and drives it downtown past the bowler for a boundary. The fielder from mid on dives to his right but fails to intercept and the ball races away.

SIX! First six of the evening comes off the bat of Perera! Short in length, on the middle, Kusal Perera gets the bounce at his chest level, he prepares for the pull shot by transferring the weight on the back foot, creates a strong base and deposits it behind deep square leg for a biggie.

Siraj goes full in length this time, gets a slight inward movement on the middle, Kusal Perera flicks it past the gap between mid-wicket and square leg and calls for two. Riyan Parag from the deep square leg region, sprints to his right and manages to restrict it to two. Good effort there by Parag.

Short of a good length, outside off, Pathum Nissanka rides on the bounce and cuts it behind square towards deep third for a single.

Around off, on a fuller length, Kusal Perera taps it in between cover and mid off and rotates the strike.

Hits the hard length does Arshdeep, on the middle. Kusal Perera hangs back and works it to deep third for a single to retain the strike.

Full and outside off, Perera drills it to mid off.

FOUR! Kusal Perera gets off the mark in style! Down leg, full in length and tailing a bit on the leg stump, Kusal Perera feathers the flick to deep fine for a boundary.

Kusal Perera walks in at number 3.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND THIS TIME BISHNOI TAKES THE CATCH! Arshdeep Singh with that first breakthrough for India! Singh takes the pace off this time, and holds onto his length and lands it on a length, around off. Kusal Mendis stays rooted in the crease and goes for a big heave across the line, but the ball gets big on him and he is also early into his shot. Hence, the ball slices off the bat and travels in the air to the left of mid on. Ravi Bishnoi slides to his left and takes a good sharp catch. The dangerous Kusal Mendis departs on 10 (11).

Back of a length, on the top of middle, Pathum Nissanka charges down the track to hit it downtown, miscues as the bat twists in his hand. The ball lobs up and lands in between mid on and mid off. The mid on fielder collects it on a single bounce. They cross.

FOUR! Full and straight in front of the pegs, Pathum Nissanka picks it up and over mid-wicket for a boundary. No swing for Arshdeep from this end.

Another confident appeal for LBW, but 'No' says the umpire again! Siraj looks at Pant and he is not that confident. Hence, they abort to send it upstairs. Length-delivery angling on the middle and leg, Kusal Mendis is cramped up for room as he tries to work it to the leg side. He gets rapped on the front pad.

Oh, this one tails in with the angle. On the back of a length, starts from outside off and angles it into the batter, staying low as well. Kusal Mendis looks to pull but gets an inside edge as he gets deceived by the lack of bounce. An appeal for LBW but turned down.

Hard length, on a tight line, over the top of middle, Pathum Nissanka hops on the back foot and hits it to widish mid-wicket for an easy single.

Good-length delivery, shade outside off, Kusal Mendis stays leg side of the ball and guides it between the cover and point gap for a single.

Length and into the bodyline, Kusal Mendis taps it off the back foot in front of mid on.

Hard length, on off, Pathum Nissanka gets on top of the bounce to slash it away. Gets an inside edge instead that rolls to the short fine fielder. They cross.

FOUR! Over the in-field and gets the result! Full and angling on the middle and leg, Kusal Mendis sees the fielder inside the ring at mid on and lofts it over for a boundary to end the second over.

Nice length, on the middle and leg stump line, Kusal Mendis hangs back and taps it to the leg side, just near the strip.

Full and way too outside off, Kusal Mendis shuffles well outside off looking to scoop it but finds the length too full to play that shot. He adjusts it to play it to the off side but wears it on the front pad instead.

On off, on a length, Nissanka prods ahead and pushes it towards point for a single.

A bit closer to the off-pole, on a fullish length, Kusal Mendis lets the ball arrive and eases it to cover for a single.

Good length, at off, Pathum Nissanka pats it past cover-point and rotates the strike with a single.

WIDE! Arshdeep too, with a false start! Slants it away from the off stump with a lateral movement, beyond the guideline on a length. Nissanka slashes at it but misses. Wide called.

It will be Arshdeep Singh to operate from the other end. He is starting with just the one slip in place.

Length, outside off, Mendis shoulders arms and lets it pass. 10 from the first over. Good positive start for Sri Lanka.

FOUR! Mendis opens his account with a boundary as well! This is a good start for the Lankans. Siraj bowls it with a good seam position but seams down the leg side on a length, Kusal Mendis simply tickles it through short fine for a boundary.

At 133 kph, on a good length, outside off, Nissanka guides it to deep third for a single.

BEATEN! Length ball, into the corridor of uncertainty fractionally outside off, Pathum Nissanka is drawn forward but tries to block it by playing inside the line of the ball and the ball flirts past his outside edge to the keeper.

Attacks the stumps, on a shade fuller length. Pathum Nissanka watches the ball closely and respects it with a front foot defence.

FOUR! Nissanka is off the mark and so are Sri Lanka! Width on offer, nipping away from the surface outside off, on a length, Pathum Nissanka rides on the bounce and hits it through covers for boundary.

WIDE! A false start from Siraj! Starts with two slips in place. Lands it way down the leg side. The ball curves dramatically away after pitching. Nissanka leaves. Rishabh Pant dives to his left and collects the ball just above the ground.

All in readiness for the action to commence. It is another sell-out crowd at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The two umpires make their way out to the middle followed by Suryakumar Yadav and his men. The opening pair of Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka now stride out to the centre. Mohammed Siraj has the new ball in hand and he is raring to go. Two slips in place. Let's play...

Riyan Parag is in for a chat. He says that it feels great to be a part of the Indian setup. Tells that Suryakumar Yadav has been supportive and has given him a lot of freedom. Adds that the freedom helps him in keeping the pressure away. He says that he did a lot of work and put in a lot of practice. Further says that he is grateful for the opportunity and it is a surreal feeling to be representing India.

The skipper of Sri Lanka, Charith Asalanka says that they were looking to bat first anyway. Informs that they have made one change with Ramesh Mendis coming in for Dilshan Madushanka. Feels that the lines and lengths of the bowlers and only the top order performing were the two areas of concern in the first game. With this being a used surface, he hopes that the spin will have a part to play in the second half.

The captain of India, Suryakumar Yadav says that with the weather around, they want to bowl first and feels that the wicket played really well in the second half of the last game. Reckons that there is always room for improvement and you learn even if you win. Informs that Shubman Gill misses out due to a neck spasm and Sanju Samson comes in for him.

India (Playing XI) - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (In for Shubman Gill), Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (C), Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis (In for Dilshan Madushanka), Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando.

TOSS - India have won the flip of the coin and they have opted to BOWL first.

UPDATE - 7 pm IST (1.30 pm GMT) - The stumps have been erected now. Looks like the same surface is being used for the second T20I.

UPDATE - 6.54 pm (1.24 pm GMT) - The official update is that the toss will take place at 7.15 pm IST (1.45 pm GMT), and the first ball will be bowled at 7.45 pm IST (2.15 pm GMT). No overs have been lost!!! The Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir along with Abhishek Nayar are out in the middle to inspect the surface. The Indian players also can be seen warming up and doing their pre-match drills. Now, the Sri Lankan players too carry out their warm-up.

UPDATE - 6.48 pm (1.18 pm GMT) - Good news, folks! The covers have been peeled off entirely now as the drizzle has stopped. The groundsmen at Pallekele are working really hard so that the game starts as quickly as possible. The rope is being used across the park to dry the outfield, and also, we can see some groundstaff at the pitchside. 

UPDATE - 6.30 pm IST (1 pm GMT) - Not a good one from here as well. The toss has been officially delayed due to rain. There's a slight drizzle at Pallekele, so let's hope it subsides soon. The pitch and the squares are still under covers right now.

CRICKET NEWS - Well, it's not a piece of good news for Indian cricket fans and followers. In the Women's Asia Cup Final, 2024, in a dramatic turnaround, Sri Lanka Women defeated India Women convincingly by 8 wickets, successfully chasing down a challenging total of 166. Chamari Athapaththu's valiant 61 off 43 set the tone for this chase. However, Harshitha Samarawickrama came in as a surprise package with her contribution of 69 from 51 deliveries when India Women had just started to assert pressure with the wicket of Athapaththu. She also got brilliant support from Kavisha Dilhari from the other end. Their unbeaten 73-run stand hindered India's hopes big time. This marks Sri Lanka Women's first-ever Asia Cup title win, after being the runner-up for five times in their six final appearances. This result is surely a heartbreaking one for India Women, who are the seven-time title holders of the tournament.

For Sri Lanka, all remaining games are like a virtual knockout. To clinch the series, winning both is mandatory now. On the flip side, Team India has a golden opportunity to settle old scores. A victory here would be sweet revenge for their previous T20I series loss on Sri Lankan soil. Who will have the upper hand this time around? All will be revealed in the span of a few hours from now. But first, please do stick around for the toss and team updates.

Coming to inspect how the surface behaved at Pallekele in the first T20I. A similar pattern was seen in both innings. As the new hard ball easily came onto the bat coupled with some pace on offer as well. However, as the shine wore off and the ball softened, it was a different affair altogether. The leather started to grip and turn, giving the tweakers something to work with. Batters found themselves in a spot of bother to accelerate towards the backend, following a flurry of wickets. The big question now is whether we'll see an encore or if the pitch will spring a surprise.

India on the other hand also struggled with the ball initially but somehow the tweakers came to rescue big time in the backend. With the openers firing on all cylinders, they're not just scoring runs but dictating the tempo of the innings. This early onslaught is paving the way for what follows - a pyrotechnic display from the Indian skipper, Suryakumar Yadav. With such a solid launchpad from the top three, it's up to the middle-order batters to cash in and give the innings the required flourish. The likes of Pant, Hardik, and Rinku are expected to keep the scoreboard ticking and then press the accelerator. India’s spin attack looked in form and the same will be expected from the turners with good support from the seamers.

Sri Lanka, the hosts would be gutted with the way things progressed for them in the first game. Being in the driver’s seat in the first half of the chase, and then collapsing dramatically in the next, surely demands some improvements. Also, the experienced middle-order will be under the microscope as well. The Lankans will be hungry to prove their mettle, aiming for a more polished performance overall by correcting the basics. They'll be keen to avoid another batting collapse and instead build partnerships that can take the game deep. Their bowling unit too, needs to raise their game to back up their death overs specialist, Matheesha Pathirana, who's been in sizzling form. While Pathirana's been nailing those yorkers at the death, his fellow mates must share the load throughout the innings.

The fever of T20 cricket has gripped fans as the series unfolds. Following an action-packed opener, both teams are set for a rapid return to the field in less than 24 hours. India aims to clinch the series with a win in this second match, while Sri Lanka seeks to level the score. On that note, hello and a very warm welcome to everyone joining our coverage.

... MATCH DAY ...

India's tour of Sri Lanka has been initiated with a nail-biting series opener, which has set the tone for the rest of the series. All we saw was both teams going tooth and nail against each other in the first T20I at Pallekele, and we don't expect anything less in the second match. With India leading the series by 1-0, Sri Lanka seek a strong comeback. Inserted into bat, a captain's knock by Suryakumar Yadav and contributions from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant took India to 213. In reply, the Sri Lankan openers delivered a brisk start, and at 140/1, with Pathum Nissanka going great guns and Kusal Perera for company, the hosts had pushed India into a corner. However, a dramatic collapse ensued, with Sri Lanka losing 9 wickets for just 30 runs, eventually being bowled out for 170. This sudden downfall highlighted the fragility of Sri Lanka's middle and lower order, with only 26 runs contributed beyond their top three. Moving forward, Charith Asalanka and his team need to bounce back quickly, showcasing their resilience and character. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, in good form, will aim to continue their run-scoring spree, while Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, and Kamindu Mendis must step up their game. On the bowling front, Matheesha Pathirana impressed with his pace, and Wanindu Hasaranga stood out in the spin department. However, Dilshan Madushanka and Asitha Fernando struggled with their lines and lengths in the Powerplay, and improvements are expected from them along with Maheesh Theekshana. India displayed a fearless brand of cricket, living up to expectations despite the change in leadership. The intent from the Indian batters was evident, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill providing a strong start, followed by Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav steering the innings forward during the middle phase. Indian fans will be anticipating a similarly aggressive approach in the rest of the games. Jaiswal and Gill are expected to give India a rapid start, setting the stage for Pant and Suryakumar to build on the foundation. On the bowling front, Hardik Pandya had a tough outing, going wicketless and conceding runs, so he'll be looking to bounce back with a better performance. Riyan Parag emerged as a surprise package with the ball, and his success might see him being introduced earlier in the attack in future games. Axar Patel opened the floodgates for India, and his partnership with Ravi Bishnoi will be crucial to the visitors' fortunes once again. However, the responsibility of setting the tone upfront lies with Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj. In the series opener, they struggled to make early inroads, and their ability to strike early will be essential in providing India with a strong start in the bowling department. In any 3-match series, losing the first game automatically puts the team in a virtual knockout position. But, of what we saw from the Sri Lankan top order if coupled with a responsible contribution from the middle order, this team has all the potential to bring any opponent down on their knees. Will Sri Lanka mount a strong comeback, or will the Men in Blue take the series with a win? We shall find out.