Sri Lanka won the second T20I by 16 runs to level the series 1-1. The Men in Blue were given hope by sensational hitting from Axar Patel 65), Suryakumar Yadav (51) and Shivam Mavi (26) but 5 early wickets proved costly for the hosts.
Earlier, Sri Lanka amassed 206/6 in 20 overs. Arshdeep Singh bowled a lot of no balls which allowed the Lankans to break free. Captain Hardik Pandya was unhappy with him for conceding extra runs.
“We didn’t do the basics right. I am not putting all the blame on Arshdeep Singh but bowling no-balls is a crime. The bowling and batting powerplays didn’t go our way. We have to look forward and work on things which are in our control. Anyone can have a bad or good day but you can’t move away from the basics,” said Hardik Pandya.
For the record, Arshdeep bowled five no-balls, including three in a row. Umran Malik and Shivam Mavi delivered one no-ball each, respectively.
Dasun Shanaka and Kusal Mendis smashed fifties for the Lankans.