After an abysmal showing from the Indian batting unit, the Men in Blue could only reach 81/8 in 20 overs against Sri Lanka in the 3rd T20 International on Thursday.

Wanindu Hasaranga was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers as he scalped four wickets and conceded only nine runs in his four-over spell. 

Ahead of the match, skipper Shikhar Dhawan announced that Sandeep Warrier would replace the injured Navdeep Saini, handing an international debut to the 30-year-old. 

The Sri Lankan bowlers looked on song from the get-go, as Dushmantha Chameera scalped the wicket of Dhawan in the very first over. Next to fall was Devdutt Padikkal, who departed for 9 off 15 deliveries. 

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Things started getting worse for the Indian side after Hasaranga came into the attack for Sri Lanka. In his first over, he dismissed opener Ruturaj Gaikwad (14 off 10 balls) and Sanju Samson (0 off 3 balls). 

India’s lack of batting depth in this series was evident as they struggled to reach even the triple-figure mark. Bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav in the middle overs scored vital runs to carry India over the 50-mark, however, the target should be gettable for Sri Lanka.

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Although leggie Akila Dhananjaya didn’t pick up any wickets he gave away just 11 runs in his four overs, keeping matter tight and forcing the Indian batters to take risks.

The three-match series is currently locked at 1-1, with the hosts bouncing back with a four-wicket win in the second T20I after losing the first by 38 runs.

The second T20I was postponed by a day after Indian all-rounder Krunal Pandya tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, with the second and third matches taking place on consecutive days. 

Earlier, India won the three-match ODI series 2-1.