West Indies win over Sri Lanka in the 1st T20I

West Indies defeated Sri Lanka in the series opener of their three-match T20I series, marking Sri Lanka’s fourth straight loss in T20 Internationals.

In the 1st T20I at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, the West Indies claimed a 5-wicket victory, chasing down Sri Lanka’s total of 179/7. Despite a solid half-century from Kamindu Mendis that pushed Sri Lanka past 175, their total fell short on a batting-friendly surface. West Indies openers Brandon King and Evin Lewis powered their side to victory with explosive fifties.

Brandon King, who was named Player of the Match, reflected on the performance: 

"Yeah, thank you. My role is to get the team off to a good start, and it worked out today. The wicket improved in the second innings, and as openers, we always aim to take advantage of the powerplay. It’s great to be back on the field after a couple of months, and I’m happy we could set the pace in a chase of 180."

West Indies captain Rovman Powell emphasised the importance of individual performances: 

"It’s crucial to take an early lead when playing in Sri Lanka. Toss does help, but you need to be at your best. In T20s, individual performances often decide the game, and I encourage the team to play their natural game, which worked well for us."

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka acknowledged the areas for improvement: 

"West Indies batters played really well, but we could have done better in the powerplay. I experimented with Chamindu Wickramasinghe, a part-time bowler, but it didn’t pay off. We batted well, which is a positive, but powerplay bowling remains a major concern. We’ll address this in our team meeting ahead of the next match