India and Sri Lanka locked horns in Indore to take a lead in the three-match T20I series after the first game was called off in Guwahati due to rain. India won the toss and opted to bowl first on a batting-friendly pitch at the Holkar Stadium on Tuesday (January 7).
The Islanders were off to a steady start with 82/2 in 12 overs, but leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav removed Kusal Perera (34) and Oshada Fernando (10) in quick succession. Fast bowler Navdeep Saini clocked speeds above 145 kmph regularly and also picked up two wickets, while Shardul Thakur had a good game and finished with three wickets. Jasprit Bumrah on his comeback bowled well but conceded an expensive last over.
The visitors finished with a moderate 142/9 which was never going to be enough against the strong Indian batting line-up on a beautiful track.
KL Rahul (45) and Shikhar Dhawan (32) set the base, leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga dismissed both the Indian openers to give his team a ray of hope before Shreyas Iyer (34) and Virat Kohli (30 not out) finished off the chase with 15 balls to spare.
Iyer began his innings slowly as he got his eye in before taking on Hasaranga in his final over and one particular six was so huge that it left the striker and the non-striker shell-shocked.
The third and final T20I will be played at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Friday (January 10).
