IND vs SL 2024: 3 players who starred and 2 who flopped in the India vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I match ft. Sanju Samson & Washington Sundar
Team India left things late once again, but they managed to come out on top in a thrilling contest against Sri Lanka. With their win in the third T20I, the Men in Blue managed to secure a whitewash over the hosts.
India managed only 139 in the first innings, a score that could have been chased down had Sri Lanka's middle order shown some application. However, some excellent bowling changes from Suryakumar Yadav, combined with poor shot selection on the part of the home side's batters, sent Sri Lanka tumbling to a disappointing Super Over defeat.
On that note, here are three players who starred and two who flopped in the third T20I between India and Sri Lanka.
#5 Star - Shubman Gill
After missing out on the second T20I with a neck spasm, Shubman Gill returned to the XI on Tuesday. He came up with an important contribution to take India to a defendable total.
Forced to play within himself in challenging conditions in Pallekele, Gill was starved of strike in the first few overs. The opener ran hard between the wickets and played smart shots for the most part, until he was dismissed by Wanindu Hasaranga while strangely deciding to dance down the track.
Gill top-scored for India, proving his worth.
#4 Flop - Khaleel Ahmed
Khaleel Ahmed's international comeback hasn't gone to plan so far. After middling outings in Zimbabwe, the left-arm seamer turned in a disappointing display in the third T20I against Sri Lanka.
Khaleel's two overs in the powerplay were insipid. He had a chance to make amends at the death but lost his radar completely, sending down a plethora of wides to hand the game to Sri Lanka on a platter. All he needed to do was land his cutters on the stumps.
#3 Star - Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav couldn't make an impact with the bat as his trademark pick-up shot proved to be his downfall. However, he made up for the same with his inspired leadership in the second innings.
Suryakumar wasn't hesitant to bowl his spinners under pressure. After the three frontline spinners bowled their quota of four overs each, the Indian skipper brought on Rinku Singh in the penultimate over. He even took up the responsibility of bowling the last over himself and picked up two wickets to send the game into the Super Over.
SKY finished his maiden series as India's full-time T20I captain on an excellent note.
#2 Flop - Sanju Samson
Things just don't seem to be clicking for Sanju Samson on the international stage. Following his first-ball duck in the second T20I, the keeper-batter managed another blob on Tuesday. He looked unsettled at the crease before attempting a lofted shot that settled in the hands of sweeper cover.
To make matters worse for Samson, he dropped two catches in the second innings, one of which was a regulation take. While he did claim two catches as well, it was a disappointing performance from a player who has flattered to deceive.
Chances may not be forthcoming for Samson going forward.
#1 Star - Washington Sundar
The Player of the Series during India's Zimbabwe tour, Washington Sundar was on the bench for the first two T20Is against Sri Lanka. Being given an opportunity to play in the final game, he managed to come up with a splendid all-round performance that clinched the victory for his side.
Sundar played a handy cameo in the back half of India's innings and also picked up two wickets in four economical overs. Granted the responsibility of bowling the Super Over, the off-spinner picked up another two wickets in the first three balls to effectively seal the contest.