Chasing 174 runs, Sri Lanka were cruising at 97 for no loss at the 11th over point against India on Tuesday. Skipper Rohit Sharma had tried all his options. Openers Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka looked settled. 

And then leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was brought back for his third over. The 32-year-old picked two wickets within four deliveries to pull India back into the game. Sri Lanka were reduced to 97/2 in no time and the required run rate shot over nine. 

Also read: What Deepak Chahar brings to India’s Asia Cup 2022 squad

Chahal started off his over with a tossed up delivery to Nissanka. The Lankan opener premeditated the delivery going down leg. He reversed his stance and dragged the ball to Rohit Sharma at backward point, inside the circle. Dasun Shanaka and co lost their first wicket. Pathum Nissanka made 52 runs in 37 balls with the help of four boundaries and two maximums. 

Also Read| Asia Cup 2022: Why Ashwin replaced Bishnoi in India’s 11 vs Sri Lanka

Charith Asalanka came out to bat. Yuzi set him up with two full balls. He then tossed the ball up, tempting the batter to go big. 

Asalanka sat down to slog. However, top-edged the ball to find Suryakumar Yadav at backward square leg. The batter was dismissed for a three-ball duck. 

Also read: Asia Cup 2022: Fans disappointed after KL Rahul falls cheaply vs Sri Lanka

Chahal gave India a much-needed start. Two overs later Ravichandran Ashwin, bowling to a left-handed Danushka Gunathilaka, managed to get Rohit Sharma a third wicket. The off-spinner went with a slow, loopy, floated delivery outside off. It dipped and the batter ended up chipping it to KL Rahul at long-off. 

Sri Lanka lost three wickets within 13 runs and two overs. 

Also read: Watch: Kohli’s stumps dismantled, batter dismissed on duck vs Sri Lanka

On the first delivery of his next over, Yuzi Chahal slipped in a slider. It was fast and skid past a well-set Kusal Mendis’ bat. The DRS review showed that it would hit the front of leg-stump.

Mendis scored 57 runs in 37 balls with the help of four boundaries and three maximums. Sri Lanka were 110/4.