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India whitewashed Sri Lanka in the recently concluded three-match T20I series played in Pallekele. Rain played spoilsport on multiple occasions throughout the series but results were possible in all games, with India emerging victorious in all three.
The first T20I was a high-scoring encounter, where India scored 213/7 in 20 overs and bowled Sri Lanka out for 170 runs. In the next game, India won by seven wickets via D/L method, while in the third match, the visitors made a splendid comeback to defend a 138-run target and win via Super Over.
Cricket experts heaped praise on India after their series win against Sri Lanka. Here are the top three expert reactions.
#1 Mohammad Kaif thinks Suryakumar Yadav has proven himself as a leader
Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif opined that new captain Suryakumar Yadav proved himself as a worthy leader by defending nine runs off the final two overs in the last T20I. Notably, Yadav handed the ball to Rinku Singh for the 19th over and then bowled the last over himself to tie the match.
"Bhai Rohit Sharma ka chela hai Surya.. 19th over Rinku se, 20th over khud SKY and won the game. What else one needs to be a great leader?" Kaif said via his X after the series.
Kaif highlighted in his post how Yadav followed the footsteps of Rohit Sharma and defended a low total in the third T20I with an out-of-the-box approach.
#2 Wasim Jaffer uses a 'Kandy' pun to praise Team India and Suryakumar Yadav
All three matches of this series happened at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer used his wit to describe India's win in the third T20I and wrote on his X:
"Made it look like stealing Kandy from a baby. SL needed 9 off 12, then death bowlers Rinku and SKY took the game to super over in which Washi gave just 2 runs and India won with ease. Very well played and congratulations on 3-0."
The post from Jaffer has received more than 12,000 likes on X. He posted an image of Yadav after the match had entered Super Over following the 20th over of Sri Lanka's innings.
#3 Russel Arnold shocked after Sri Lanka's embarrassing batting collapse
In all three T20Is of the series, the island nation suffered a batting collapse in the final overs. Sri Lankan commentator Russel Arnold was shocked to see the home side's failure to chase down nine runs in two overs with six wickets in hand.
"Jeez… 27/7 again. OMG what’s going on guys #SLvIND ..4 wickets for Rinku and Surya .. this is shocking," Arnold said via his X after the third T20I.
Notably, in the first T20I, the islanders collapsed from 149/3 to 170 all out, and in the second game, they finished with 161/9 after being 130/2 at one point. In the third game, the home side collapsed from 108/1 to 137/8.
Sri Lanka will aim to make a comeback in the upcoming ODI series against India. The first ODI will be played in Colombo on Friday, August 2.
