Virat Kohli finished it off in a style with a ‘Nataraja’ six as India defeated Sri Lanka by 7 wickets in the second T20I to take 1-0 lead in the three-match series. It was an all-round victory for the hosts.
Navdeep Saini (2/18) and Shardul Thakur (3/23) impressed with the ball to limit the Islanders to just 142/9.
The batsman then kept the chase on track. KL Rahul gave India a swift start with his quickfire 45. Shreyas Iyer and King Kohli then contributed with 34 and unbeaten 30 as India faced no trouble in the chase.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Stunning shot for 6 by @imVkohli to seal match. India would have chased even 180 on this pitch so Lanka actually let down by batsmen, not bowlers. Strong start to 2020 by #TeamIndia. Bumrah’s return, form of Rahul and Iyer adds to heft.
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 7, 2020
Started 2020 with a No Bowl and follows it up with a Free Hit! 🦁💛 #WhistlePodu #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/8UwbU8UqC7
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 7, 2020
Congratulations @imVkohli for fastest 1000 runs in T20 and Team India for taking 1-0 lead in #INDvSL series. Spell of Navdeep Saini was moment of the match. pic.twitter.com/zsXKL7kit6
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) January 7, 2020
Virat Kohli's scores while chasing in T20Is in last six instances:
61* v Aus
19 v WI
59 v WI
72* v SA
94* v WI
30* v SL#IndvSL— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) January 7, 2020
What O Win! 😲#TeamIndia ne kitti 2020 di shurvaat with a thumping win in Indore. 😍💪
📸: @ICC #SaddaPunjab #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/zYVMwz0qEe
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) January 7, 2020
A clinical performance by #TeamIndia in Indore.
Will the boys clinch the series in Pune? #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/6Hm0jPVYC1
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 7, 2020
🇮🇳 1-0 🇱🇰#TeamIndia start 2020 with a 7-wicket win over Sri Lanka. 💪🏻#INDvSL #OrangeArmy (📸: BCCI) pic.twitter.com/WzlALuHZQV
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) January 7, 2020
First T20 win of the decade in the 🎒#INDvSL #TeamIndia @BCCI pic.twitter.com/O1AEHuEP6Q
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) January 7, 2020
India win by 7 wickets and take 1-0 lead in the series.
IND 144/3 (17.3 ovs) L Rahul 45, Shreyas Iyer 34, Shikhar Dhawan 32, Kohli 30* | Wanindu Hasaranga 2/30
vs SL 142/9. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/TyPAFBH64w— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) January 7, 2020
India win by 7 wickets and take 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series!#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/Qeh2Fgi2eu
— ICC (@ICC) January 7, 2020
An Indian captain hitting a six to seal the game against Sri Lanka 👌
Well played, #TeamIndia!#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan #INDvSL
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) January 7, 2020
This is a little embarrassing 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️ Tooo easy for India #Indvsl
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) January 7, 2020
Clinical with the ball, brutal with the bat! 💪🏻#TeamIndia thoroughly entertained the crowd in Indore and went on to take the lead in the series! 🙌🏻#INDvSL #ThisIsNewDelhi #DelhiCapitals pic.twitter.com/ucvjuITTae
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) January 7, 2020
Most wins against a team in T20Is:
13 – Pak v NZ
13 – Pak v SL
12 – Afg v Ire
12 – Eng v NZ
12 – Pak v Aus
12 – #INDvSL— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) January 7, 2020