New Delhi: India snatched a win from the jaws of defeat in the Super Over to win the third T20I and inflict a 3-0 series whitewash on Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Tuesday.
Chasing a 138-run target after winning the toss, Sri Lanka looked in control with Kusal Perera (46), Kusal Mendia (43) and Pathum Nissanka (26) setting up their chase.
But they inexplicably lost four wickets in their last two overs to part-time spinners Rinku Singh (2/3) and Suryakumar Yadav (2/5) as Sri Lanka scored five runs off the last over, needing six to win to be pegged to 137/8, as the match spilled onto a Super Over.
Sri Lanka could only score 2/2 in the Super Over, as Washington Sundar picked up two wickets in two balls. Suryakumar Yadav dispatched the first ball off Maheesh Theekshana to the boundary for India to complete a series whitewash.
Sri Lanka limit India
Earlier, spinner Maheesh Theekshana (3/28) took wickets at key intervals to restrict India to 137/9. The hosts won the toss and elected to bowl on a fresh pitch that aided spinners.
The toss was delayed due to rain after which Theekshana seized the initiative as he dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal for 10 in the second over.
India slumped to 30/4 inside six overs Sanju Samson (0), Rinku Singh (1) and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (8) back in the dressing room.
Debutant Chamindu Wickramasinghe claimed his maiden wicket as Samson attempted aerial shot but was caught at third man for a duck.
Shubman Gill (39) and Riyan Parag (26) rebuilding attempts through a 54-run sixth-wicket stand as Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana picked up an injury on his right shoulder while fielding and left the field not bowling further even though he returned to field.
Sri Lanka kept picking wickets at regular intervals with Theekshana picking three and Wanindu Hasaranga picking two as the Indian batting line-up got rattled.
It was only due to a cameo of 25 from number eight Washington Sundar, who was also dismissed by Theekshana, that India added some runs at the backend.
India rested their top names, including Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant, and made four changes to their team. They had already pocketed the series after winning the first two matches.
India beat Sri Lanka via a Super Over to win their final T20I of their three-match series to complete a series whitewash. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
