India's Dramatic Super Over Victory Secures Series Sweep Over Sri Lanka

India and Sri Lanka ended their T20I clash in a thrilling tie, both teams scoring 137, but India triumphed in the Super Over to complete a 3-0 series sweep in Pallekele.

Throughout the match, Sri Lanka had the upper hand, outperforming India in batting, bowling, and fielding. However, a dramatic collapse saw them needing just nine runs from the last two overs with six wickets in hand. Rinku Singh, who had never bowled in T20Is before, delivered the 19th over, giving away only three runs and taking two crucial wickets.

This left Sri Lanka needing six runs from the final over. Despite having a more experienced bowler available, Suryakumar Yadav chose to bowl himself, as the pitch was offering significant turn. It was also his first time bowling in a T20I, and India was behind on their over-rate, limiting their outfielders to just four. Suryakumar conceded only five runs and claimed two wickets, resulting in a tied match. In the Super Over, Washington Sundar started with a wide but then dismissed Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka, leaving India needing just three runs to win. Suryakumar secured the victory by sweeping Maheesh Theekshana's first ball for a boundary, which was misfielded by Asitha Fernando.

The match had begun an hour late due to rain, with Sri Lanka opting to bowl first on a pitch that favoured both seamers and spinners. India was restricted to 137 for 9, with Matheesha Pathirana unable to bowl after injuring his shoulder while fielding early in the innings.

Sri Lanka's chase started promisingly with a 58-run partnership between Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. Kusal Perera then scored 46 off 34 balls, pushing them closer to the target. However, the middle-order collapse, reminiscent of the previous two T20Is, saw them falter. India's bowlers, particularly Rinku and Suryakumar, capitalised on this, securing a dramatic win.

India's innings saw a cautious start from Shubman Gill, returning after missing a game due to neck spasms, while Yashasvi Jaiswal attacked early but fell to Maheesh Theekshana. Sanju Samson and Rinku Singh quickly followed, both falling cheaply, leaving India struggling. Suryakumar's dismissal in the last over of the power play further dented India's hopes, but their bowlers ensured a fighting total, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.