In a thrilling culmination to the Sri Lanka vs West Indies T20I series, Sri Lanka powered through to their first-ever T20I series win against the West Indies, securing a decisive nine-wicket victory in the third and final match held on Thursday. The hosts successfully chased down a target of 163 runs, wrapping up the match with 12 balls to spare, much to the delight of the packed crowd in Dambulla.
Kusal Mendis Shines
The standout performer of the evening was Kusal Mendis, who played a stellar innings, scoring an unbeaten 68 runs off 48 balls. His innings featured five boundaries and three sixes, leading the Sri Lankan charge. After the match, Mendis expressed his joy at helping the team secure the win, saying, “Happy to get the team over the line. Not the easiest pitch to bat on, but these are conditions that we are used to playing.” Mendis had a brief moment of concern when he was on 44 runs; however, Roston Chase dropped a challenging return catch, allowing him to continue his dominant performance.
Dynamic Opening Partnership
Opening the batting alongside Pathum Nissanka, Mendis got Sri Lanka off to a blistering start. The pair formed a formidable 60-run partnership in just 5.2 overs. Nissanka contributed a swift 39 runs off 22 balls, peppering the boundary with seven fours and a six before being dismissed by a low delivery from Gudakesh Motie.
Following Nissanka’s departure, Mendis found an able partner in Kusal Perera, who despite battling cramps, managed to score an impressive 55 runs off 36 balls, marking his 15th T20I half-century. Together, Mendis and Perera formed an unbroken 106-run stand, steering Sri Lanka towards a historic series win against the higher-ranked West Indies.
West Indies Struggle in the Batting Department
The West Indies, having opted to bat first, faced significant challenges early in their innings, collapsing to 68 for 5. However, a critical 54-run partnership between captain Rovman Powell and Gudakesh Motie provided some stability. Motie displayed aggression, launching three consecutive sixes and a four off Dunith Wellalage in the 15th over. Unfortunately, he was stumped by Mendis off the bowling of Wanindu Hasaranga shortly after, ending his impactful innings.
Sri Lanka’s spin bowling unit once again proved to be a decisive factor, with Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga each claiming two wickets. Reflecting on the match, Powell acknowledged his team’s struggles against spin, stating, “I thought we had enough runs on the board. The Sri Lankan spinners completely outplayed us. We knew spin was going to play a key role, and Sri Lanka were far better.”
Recap of the Series
The T20I series started on a high note for the West Indies, who claimed a five-wicket victory in the first match. However, Sri Lanka bounced back emphatically in the second game, winning by 73 runs. This series win is a significant milestone for the Sri Lankan team under the new head coach Sanath Jayasuriya, capping off a remarkable period for the side. Over the past three months, Sri Lanka has secured several notable victories, including an ODI series win over India after 27 years, a Test win in England after a decade, and a historic two-Test series sweep against New Zealand—marking their first in 15 years.
Where to Watch Sri Lanka vs West Indies
For fans eager to catch the thrilling encounters between the West Indies cricket team and the Sri Lanka national cricket team, the matches are available for viewing on various sports networks and streaming platforms. Check your local listings for the specific channels broadcasting the WI vs SL T20 matches, including potential coverage on platforms such as Cricbuzz and ESPN Cricinfo.
Notable Players to Watch
As the series showcased the talents of both teams, players like Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Shai Hope, and Rovman Powell stood out. Mendis and Perera were instrumental in Sri Lanka’s success, while Hope and Powell showcased their capabilities for the West Indies. The series has highlighted the depth of talent in both teams, setting the stage for exciting future encounters.
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