SL vs IND: Rajapaksa-Shanaka masterclass hands India a crushing defeat

Sri Lanka in action [PC: Twitter]

The ninth match of the ongoing Asia Cup witnessed Sri Lanka thump India by six wickets. With this clinical victory, the Lankan Lions have boosted their qualification chances into the all-important final. On the other hand, India have moved on the verge of exit from the tournament with this harsh defeat. 

Rohit Sharma's fireworks power India to a respectable total

After being invited to bat first for the second consecutive time, India had a horrible start to their innings, losing KL Rahul and Virat Kohli in a quick time. However, skipper Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav steadied the ship for India, stitching a fantastic 97-run stand for the third wicket. 

Rohit Sharma played a brilliant knock [PC: Twitter]

But after Rohit's departure, India couldn't sustain their momentum. The Men in Blue lost next four wickets for just 47 runs, which resulted in their under-par finish. 

While Rohit hammered his way through to an attractive 41-ball 72, other batters couldn't convert their starts into impactful knocks. Ravi Ashwin's 15-run cameo towards the end turned out be handy, taking India to 173 at the end of 20 overs. 

Promising left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka, scalping three wickets for 24 runs. 

Shanaka and Rajapaksa help Sri Lanka hunt down the target

In reply, Sri Lanka got off to a flier, courtesy of an incredible 97-run opening stand between Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. While Mendis stroked four fours and three sixes for his splendid 37-ball 57, Nissanka's gorgeous 52-run knock was glittered with four boundaries and two gigantic sixes. 

But Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravi Ashwin brought smiles back to the Indian camp by scalping four wickets, including the openers, in quick time. 

Dasun Shanaka in action [PC: Twitter]

However, Dasun Shanaka (33* off 18) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (25* off 17) formed a sensational unbeaten 64-run partnership to ensure Sri Lanka had no further hiccups and chased down the target in the last over. 

Brief Scores

India: 173/8 (20)
Rohit Sharma 72 (41), Suryakumar Yadav 34 (29);
Dilshan Madushanka 3/24 (4), Dasun Shanaka 2/26 (2)

Sri Lanka: 174/4 (19.5)
Kusal Mendis 57(37), Pathum Nissanka 52 (37);
Yuzvendra Chahal 3/34 (4), Ravichandran Ashwin 1/32 (4)

Sri Lanka won by six wickets.

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