2 mistakes and 1 masterstroke by India in the 2nd T20I vs Sri Lanka ft. Suryakumar Yadav's bowling changes
India's era under Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir has gotten off to an impressive start! The Men in Blue sealed the three-match series against Sri Lanka with a comfortable seven-wicket win in the second T20I in Pallekele on Sunday, July 28.
In the series opener, Sri Lanka's openers threatened to make a game out of a steep chase of 213. This time around, though, they were barely in the contest, although an early wicket made things slightly tricky for the visitors.
India got most things right from a tactical perspective, but there's arguably some room for improvement. Heading into the dead rubber, which could serve as an excellent opportunity for the side to try out a new combination, Suryakumar and company will reflect on their performance on Sunday.
On that note, here are two mistakes and one masterstroke made by India in the second T20I against Sri Lanka.
#3 Mistake - India could've given their lower-middle order some time at the crease
After Sanju Samson was dismissed in the second over, India could've used the opportunity to give Riyan Parag some time out in the middle. However, Suryakumar Yadav came in and ensured that the chase was wrapped up early.
Even after Yashasvi Jaiswal and Suryakumar were dismissed, India sent in Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya. While the former spent an hour at the crease in the first T20I, the latter has played a good deal of cricket in the last few months.
Parag and maybe even Rinku Singh could have been given the chance to get some batting under their belt.
#2 Masterstroke - Suryakumar Yadav and the think tank are rightly testing the bowlers in tough situations
![Ravi Bishnoi was the pick of the bowlers [Image Courtesy: BCCI on X]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/12a62-17221948607333-1920.jpg)
In the bowling department, however, there are no such concerns. Suryakumar and the think tank are making sure that their bowlers get enough exposure to challenging situations and are being shuffled around smartly.
The Indian skipper rightly bowled five overs of pace to Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis in the powerplay, with both openers being better hitters of spin. Then, Suryakumar ensured that Parag completed his quota of four overs and Axar Patel was challenged by two overs at the death.
Even Ravi Bishnoi, who was given the freedom to operate through the middle overs, sent down one at the back end of the first innings. All of India's bowlers came away with something from the second T20I.
#1 Mistake - India fed too many deliveries in Kusal Perera's arc
![Hardik's lines and lengths were off [Image Courtesy: BCCI on X]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/27f69-17222450658169-1920.jpg)
Kusal Perera was Sri Lanka's top-scorer in the second T20I, with his attacking fifty keeping his side afloat. However, India didn't do themselves any favors by dishing out plenty of freebies in his arc.
Ravi Bishnoi dragged his length back on a couple of occasions and was pulled away for boundaries. Hardik Pandya sent down six wides and bowled numerous short and leg-lined deliveries. Even in the powerplay, Mohammed Siraj fed Perera two juicy balls that were put away.
Perera's go-to shot has been the pickup over the years, and he isn't a poor player of the short ball either. Yet, India peppered him with deliveries in that area and paid the price.