India’s T20I dominance over Sri Lanka continued as they completed a resounding 3-0 clean-sweep with a thrilling super over victory in the final match. The hosts’ chase of 138 seemed comfortable until Suryakumar Yadav’s inspired bowling changes turned the tide.
With Sri Lanka needing nine runs off 12 balls, Yadav summoned part-time off-spinner Rinku Singh. Singh, making his T20I bowling debut, conceded only three runs and claimed two wickets in a remarkable 19th over.
Yadav’s audacity continued as he brought himself on to bowl the final over. Despite conceding five runs, he picked up two more wickets, forcing the game into a super over. India’s dominance extended into the super over, where they restricted Sri Lanka to just two runs and secured a comprehensive victory.
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif lauded Yadav’s captaincy, particularly his unconventional bowling choices. “Suryakumar is a true disciple of Rohit Sharma,” Kaif tweeted. “Using Rinku in the 19th over and himself in the 20th over shows what it takes to be a great leader.”
Rinku, who had never bowled in T20Is before, expressed his surprise at being asked to bowl. “I was informed by Surya to be ready for bowling in the series,” he said. “When he asked me to bowl, it was God’s plan.”
Off-spinner Washington Sundar, who starred with an all-round performance, praised Yadav’s inventiveness. “It was a great decision to bring in Rinku,” Sundar said. “For Surya to bring himself into such a crunch situation was amazing.”
Yadav’s bold captaincy and the unexpected contributions of Rinku and Sundar proved decisive in India’s clean-sweep. The victory further cements India’s status as a formidable force in T20I cricket.
