Who said what: World reacts after India win the series 2-1
India beat Sri Lanka by 9 wickets to register their biggest T20I win in terms of balls remaining and clinched the three-match series 2-1. After putting Sri Lanka to bat, R Ashwin spearheaded Indian bowling and dismissed the visitors for just 82. After taking 4 wickets for 8 runs, Ashwin registered his best figures in T20I cricket.
Chasing 83, India safely sailed through with 9 wickets in hand and 37 balls to spare. Shikhar Dhawan was unbeaten on 46 and Rahane was not out on 22. After losing the first T20, India came back strongly and posted two heavy wins in the next two matches to take the series 2-1.
MS Dhoni speaks on India’s victory
“I feel it was a very good game, important we restricted them to a decent total. Ashwin was the pick but he was well supported by the others. In between you will lose one or two games. We want to keep playing the way we are playing,” he said in the post-match Press conference.
He also added “Consistency will give us the confidence. We need to be expressive, the fans will put the pressure on us but we need to take it one game at a time. Eight seasons of IPL has given us the experience. Always good to have the conditions suiting you to an extent. Spinners can come into play here, which gives us the liberty to try out a few things.”
R Ashwin spoke on his success and said “I hope this lasts forever. The ball is coming out pretty well. I’ve been working pretty hard, I want to contribute and attribute to the team rather than being a deficiency.
“I thought I would get a five-for today. The wicket had a bit of dampness in it. I have a couple of variation when using the new ball. I want to keep the batsmen guessing, and wickets makes me a different bowler. I always have the courage to flight the ball,” he added.
Here are the reactions from the cricketing fraternity:
Umpires can be mistaken sometimes but those are poor unacceptable decisions. That is my view. Hope that boys will do their best in Asia Cup.
— Sanath Jayasuriya (@sanath07) February 14, 2016
Pitch did surprise me in so far as amount of turn on heavily grassed wicket. #spinners on https://t.co/ipo1xCeQEj
— Matthew Hayden AM (@HaydosTweets) February 14, 2016
Can you believe this game. India's bowling and fielding magnificent, state of ground superb. #INDvSL Sri Lanka 83 well better days ahead
— Matthew Hayden AM (@HaydosTweets) February 14, 2016
It's too square a turn for any batters liking. A good surface to bat #vizag but credit to Indian bowlers here #INDvSL. Making early inroads
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) February 14, 2016
Any bowler who bowls full balls faster than the short ball must be revered...Chameera is doing that. Fine prospect. #IndvSL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 14, 2016
If you really believe that those 'two' umpiring decisions were the reason of 82....quickly fix an appointment with a shrink.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 14, 2016
The last two games of this series has made the first result even more shocking...This Indian team is too good to lose in that manner. #T20
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 14, 2016
The one big plus for Sri Lanka was the bowling of Dushmantha Chameera. Big future ahead.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 14, 2016
On tracks where the ball grips a bit, India are a different side and pretty strong contenders for the #ICCWorldT20
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 14, 2016