[Watch] Maheesh Theekshana castles Sanju Samson for a golden duck in IND vs SL 2nd T20I
Sri Lankan off-spinner Maheesha Theekshana stunned Sanju Samson with a peach off the first ball of his spell in the second T20I against India in Pallekele. The Kerala-born keeper-batter had to walk back for a first-ball duck, having been selected to play his first match of the series, coming in for Shubman Gill.
The incident occurred in the second over of the innings as Charith Asalanka introduced the right-arm finger spinner into the attack. The ball to dismiss the right-hander was flat and quick, breaching Samson's defenses as he tried to defend it. Theekshana was pumped as the Samson's scalp put the tourists in a spot of bother.
The toss in the 2nd T20I fell in favor of Suryakumar Yadav, who opted to bowl first and announced one change from the 43-run victory in the opening game of the series.
Sri Lanka also triggered one change to their line-up, bringing in Ramesh Mendis for left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka.
The hosts' top-order batters once again did well, but they failed to finish strongly on yet another occasion, ending up with a middling 161/9 in 20 overs.
India win comfortably via DLS method despite Sanju Samson's first-ball duck
Meanwhile, rain interrupted the proceedings after only three balls in India's innings. With the match resuming after 45 minutes, the contest was reduced to eight overs and the tourists required to score 78 runs.
Suryakumar Yadav, who struck an explosive 58 in the previous match, started playing his shots from the outset. He perished to Matheesha Pathirana but not before playing a 12-ball 26 cameo. Soon Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for 30 off 15 to Wanindu Hasaranga.
Later, Hardik Pandya (22*) took control of the game and smacked back-to-back boundaries to win the game for India in the seventh over.
Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi earned the Player of the Match award for figures of 4-0-26-3. The two sides will lock horns in the 3rd and final T20I on July 30.