Mumbai Indians

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Once again in a series-decider Suryakumar Yadav prevailed, magnificently indeed. His stunning ton was the backbone of India’s 91-run victory over Sri Lanka at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.

Hardik Pandya won the toss and India batted first. While Suryakumar Yadav dominated the Lankan bowlers in his unbeaten 112, Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, and Axar Patel’s cameos took India to 228/5.

Meanwhile, the Indian bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh, stopped the Sri Lankan batters from scoring freely. Wickets at regular intervals derailed the run chase as they were bowled out for 137.

Let us take a look at the series-defining moments in Rajkot.

Tripathi’s blitz after slow start

After losing the wicket of Ishan Kishan in the first over, Sri Lanka managed to keep a hold on the Indian score for the first two overs. However, Rahul Tripathi showcased his talents, magnificently indeed.

Unfazed by pressure, Tripathi played some excellent shots, milking the Lankan bowlers for runs in the powerplay. While the Maharashtra-batter was well supported by Gill at the other end, Tripathi blazed his way to 35 off 16 balls. Thanks to the knock, India breached the 50-run mark by the sixth over.

Despite being unable to convert it into a milestone, it was a high-impact innings by Tripathi. Surely one that caught the eyes of everyone.

Sabka dada, Surya dada!

Dear Suryakumar Yadav, we are running out of adjectives to describe you! Mr. 360, SKY once again displayed his finest colours. Is he for real? Is he just playing out cricketing gods' favourite fantasy? Suryakumar once again delivered in a crunch encounter. Coming in at the end of the powerplay, Suryakumar, once a finisher, has now truly transformed into a complete batter. SKY got into the act straight away, targeting the gaps in the field and leaving the bowlers scratching their heads.

The sheer nonchalance in which SKY found the boundary was as if he was a Cricket 07 player using Shift + S all the time, rather successfully. He toyed with the bowlers in 2022. Tonight proved SKY dada has the same resolution in the new year. That inside out shot over extra cover is such a beautiful thing, isn't it? And Suryakumar had it in abundance tonight. There was no shortage of those lovely scoops either.

Soon, Suryakumar smashed his third T20 International century. It was the second-quickest for India in the format. He now has the second-most T20I centuries for India (3), one behind Rohit Sharma. In the end, he remained unbeaten with 112 runs off 51 balls, hitting seven fours and nine sixes. 219.60! That strike-rate was emphatic too.

Axar adds the finishing touch

While SKY was going berserk at one end, Shubman Gill was slowly etching towards his fifty. However, he was dismissed by Wanindu Hasaranga, while wickets of Hardik Pandya and Deepak Hooda followed.

But Axar Patel once again garnished the innings with some key boundaries towards the end. Baapu’s cameo of 21 runs in nine balls, including four fours, took India to a handsome total of 228/5 after 20 overs.

Suryakumar Yadav was the contributor-in-chief as India scored 136 runs off the last 10 overs.

Axar, Arshdeep breakthrough after Mendis cameo

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis was quick off the blocks in the run chase. Needing to chase a total in excess of 11 runs per over, the openers needed to provide a flamboyant start. And Mendis delivered!

However, Axar Patel, who can do nothing wrong right now, scalped Mendis for 23, breaking through for India. On the other hand, Arshdeep Singh joined in on the act, ending Nissanka’s fragile stay with a bouncer in the final powerplay over.

3-0: Bowlers wrap things up

The Indian bowlers continued to pile on the pressure after the powerplay. Yuzvendra Chahal, Umran Malik and Co. not only kept a tab on the runs, but also picked wickets at regular intervals to disrupt the Sri Lankan chase. None of the visitors’ middle-order batters, including Dasun Shanaka, were able to conquer the Indian challenge. Umran Malik, with searing pace, impressed on the big stage.

Arshdeep Singh led the pack with three wickets, while Hardik, Malik and Chahal took two each. The Lankans were bowled out for a mere 137 in the 17th over.

Brief scores: India 228/5 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 112*, Dilshan Madushanka 2/55) beat Sri Lanka 137/10 in 16.4 overs (Dasun Shanaka 23, Arshdeep Singh 3/20) by 91 runs.