IND vs SL: Suryakumar Yadav-Gautam Gambhir era starts on winning note as Sri Lanka choke in 1st T20I

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IND vs SL: The Suryakumar Yadav-Gautam Gambhir era got off to a winning start as Sri Lanka choked to a 43-run defeat in the first T20I in Pallekele on Saturday, July 27.

Sri Lanka were 140/1 in 14 overs in the 213-run chase but were bundled out for 170 in 19.2 after the fall of Pathum Nissanka's wicket on the first ball of the 15th over. The opener scored 79 off 48 balls and stitched two crucial partnerships which gave India a major scare.

Image Courtesy: Sri Lanka Cricket

Sri Lanka were chasing a record 214-run target and gave India a major scare at one point. But the wicket Nissanka on the first ball of the 15th over, turned the tides in India's favour.

Axar Patel clean bowled Nissanka to end a 33-ball 56-run partnership for the second wicket with Kusal Perera. Earlier, Nissanka partnered for 84 runs off 52 balls with his opening partner Kusal Mendis.

The left-arm spinner also picked the wicket of Perera in the same over as the Sri Lankan innings collapsed like a house of cards. Dasun Shanaka got run out for a duck before Kamindu was clean bowled by Riyan Paraga, who ended up with figures of 3/5 in 1.2 overs.

Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh also picked a wicket each as Sri Lanka were reduced for 140/1 in 14 overs to 170 all-out in 19.2 overs.

Earlier in the match, India piled up 213/7 after being asked to bat first. Yashasvi Jaiswal (40 off 21) and Shubman Gill (34 off 16) gave India a flying start before captain Surakumar Yadav (58 off 26) hammered a 22-ball fifty.

Rishabh Pant looked rusty but ended up scoring 49 off 33. Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who was introduced as late as the 12th over, picked four wickets for 40 runs in four overs.

The second T20I of the three-match series will be played at the same venue on Sunday, July 28.