IND vs SL 2nd T20I: Despite Axar, Suryakumar heroics, Sri Lanka level series 1-1 with 16-run win

India were handed a 16-run loss on Thursday by Sri Lanka, who levelled the series 1-1 despite late heroics from Axar Patel and Suryakumar Yadav.

The Indian bowlers had a day to forget as they bowled seven no balls with Arshdeep Singh being the main culprit.

Sri Lanka got off to a flying start after a silent first over as Arshdeep Singh's first over conceded 19 runs where he bowled three no balls. Kusal Mendis was smashing the Indian bowlers to all parts of Pune and quickly brought up his fifty and Sri Lanka raced to 80 runs in 8.2 overs.

Yuzvendra Chahal then provided the first breakthrough as he trapped Mendis in front of the stumps. Bhanuka Rajapaksa also followed back to the pavilion quickly as he was bowled by Umran Malik. Pathum Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva also perished quickly as the visitors' innings lost some pace and found themselves 110 for four in 13.4 overs.

Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka would then take the attack to the bowlers, with the latter scoring the fastest T20I fifty by a Sri Lankan batter.

The Indian bowlers struggled with discipline yet again as a total of seven no balls were bowled and Shanaka took his team to 206 runs off their 20 overs.

The Indian innings got off to



the worst possible start as they lost Ishan Kishan with just 12 runs on the board. Shubman Gill and Rahul Tripathi, who was making his debut for India, were also dismissed in consecutive deliveries as the hosts were 21 for 3 in just 2.1 overs.

Karunaratne got the big wicket of Pandya to leave India in all sorts of trouble with the score at 34 for four. In an attempt to up the ante, Deepak Hooda also fell to Wanindu Hasaranga.

However, Axar Patel and Suryakumar Yadav decided to take matters into their own hands as both men decided to take apart the Sri Lankan bowling.

The duo hit four sixes in Hasaranga's third over, with Axar hitting three of them. Suryakumar also joined the party and started playing some big shots as both men brought up their fifties with the southpaw reaching the landmark in just 20 balls.

Madushanaka would then dismiss Suryakumar to end the party as India needed 58 runs in the final four overs. However, Shivam Mavi also joined in the fun with some lusty blows.

Rajitha bowled a tight over in the 19th but conceded a boundary at the very end meaning India needed 21 off six balls. Shanaka bowled the last over and he got the wicket of Axar, who scored 65, to seal the win for his team and level the series.