2 mistakes and 1 masterstroke by India in the 1st T20I vs Sri Lanka ft. Rishabh Pant at No. 4
Team India got their era under full-time T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir off to a good start as they beat Sri Lanka by 43 runs in the series opener. A packed crowd in Pallekele was treated to plenty of big hits and entertaining moments on Saturday, July 27.
India, who lost the toss, were mostly spot-on from a tactical perspective in the second innings. Despite the Lankan openers putting on an impressive stand, the defending T20 World Cup champions pulled the right strings to end up on top. In the first essay, however, the Men in Blue could've done better.
On that note, here are two mistakes and one masterstroke made by India in the first T20I against Sri Lanka.
#3 Mistake - Rishabh Pant was set up to fail at No. 4
Throughout the 2024 T20 World Cup, Rishabh Pant batted at No. 3. He didn't experience much success during the tournament, with his slow starts and struggles against spin working against India.
In the first T20I against Sri Lanka, Pant batted at No. 4. And while that's a role he has played often for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League, it isn't one that his current game against spin lends itself to. The southpaw was scratchy throughout his knock and could've lost the Men in Blue the game had he not been given a few freebies later on.
Pant hits pace well and should ideally be used lower down the order, with Riyan Parag being an ideal candidate to bat at No. 4.
#2 Masterstroke - Suryakumar Yadav tossed the ball to Riyan Parag
Speaking of Riyan Parag, the youngster didn't spend much time in the middle in the first innings but managed to come up with a valuable contribution in the second. He bowled eight balls at the death which yielded three wickets to rip apart the Sri Lankan lower order.
After the game, the think tank confirmed that Parag had been prepared to bowl at the death. The move was a very smart one - not only did Sri Lanka not know what to expect, but they also had Dasun Shanaka, who isn't great against spin, at the crease.
Suryakumar's boldness and willingness to try new things with the big picture in mind will take India forward in T20I cricket.
#1 Mistake - Rinku Singh wasn't given enough time in the middle
Rinku Singh is a finisher, but he's a player who's at his best when he has played a few balls to get his eye in. In the first T20I, he wasn't given an opportunity to do that as he came to the crease with just one ball remaining in the penultimate over.
Rinku got to face just two deliveries, the second of which he slogged and edged onto his stumps. He could've entered the fray at the fall of Hardik Pandya's wicket midway through the 17th over.
India didn't get the final flourish they needed, although it didn't matter since they already had enough on the board.