Despite the loss against Sri Lanka in the second T20 international, India skipper Shikhar Dhawan praised his side for putting up a fight. Dhawan said he was proud of the team for putting up a good fight despite being faced with adverse circumstances. India lost the low-scoring T20 against Sri Lanka at Colombo by 4 wickets. The series is now level at 1-1. The decider T20I will be played at the same venue on Thursday.

India had just 11 players available for selection after Krunal Pandya tested positive for COVID-19. Nine other Indian players, who had come in close contact with Pandya, were ruled out of the game. India went into the game with six specialist bowlers and four debutants.

On a slow Colombo track, India could manage only 132 for five after being put in to bat first. Sri Lanka chased down the total with two balls to spare.

“The surface had turn and it was stopping a bit. Of course, we knew one batsman was short and we knew we had to construct the innings smartly and we had to content ourselves at some point,” Dhawan said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

The India captain admitted that they were 10-15 runs short.

“I am very proud of the boys because we gave a very good fight. That never-say-die attitude and taking the game to the last over while defending just 132, credit to both bowlers and batters,” Dhawan said.

His Lankan counterpart Dasun Shanaka thanked the BCCI for standing by their board and agreeing to play the series in these tough times.

“I thought if we could contain them to a low total, we could chase it. We were not able to capitalise in the first six overs. But DDS and Wanindu Hasaranga bailed us out. I should thank the BCCI and SLC for this opportunity because this is a huge opportunity for young guys in these times,” Shanaka said.