Shubman Gill breaks silence on his opening partnership strategy with Yashasvi Jaiswal

India opener Shubman Gill has opened up on his blistering opening partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal that set the tone for India's win over Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the three-match series at Pallekele.

Gill and Jaiswal were on song on Saturday (July 27) evening as they racked up 74 runs in the powerplay. Both the batters looked in sublime form and there were no half-measures from both of them.

Shubman Gill smashed 34 off just 16 balls, which included 6 fours and 1 six whereas Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a blistering 40 off 21 balls, and hit 5 fours and 2 sixes during his knock. Both laid a perfect platform for the middle-order batters to set up a big target for the home team.

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Shubman Gill opens up on his opening partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal

After the match, Gill was asked whether India panicked when Pathum Nissanka was going strong, Gill responded that India needed just one wicket to break into the game, and that proved to be right in the end.

"Not really (panicked). We spoke about having good communication and we knew we just needed one wicket (when SL were 140/1)," Gill replied.

When asked about batting with Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top, Gill revealed that their plans are always clear and simple to assess the pitch and play accordingly.

"It is great batting with him (Yashasvi Jaiswal) and we complement each other. Our style is different, our plan is simple - assess the conditions and then take on the bowlers. When you are opening the innings, see how the pitch is behaving and play accordingly," Gill said after the match.

Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are seen as the replacements for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for India in the T20I format. Both are highly talented batters and have proved their class in their short international careers so far. Shubman Gill is India's vice-captain for this tour as the selectors see him as a future captaincy option.

India defeat Sri Lanka by 43 runs; take 1-0 lead

Talking about the match, India registered a comfortable win over hosts Sri Lanka. At one time, Sri Lanka were going strong when they were 140-1 in 14 overs and needed 74 runs from 36 balls with two set batters at the crease.

But Pathum Nissanka's wicket in the first ball of the 15th over turned out to be the turning point of the match. Nissanka was bowled by left-arm spinner Axar Patel for a well-made 79 off 48 balls. He hit some eye-catching shots during his knock and smashed 7 fours and 4 sixes.

Kusal Perera, who looked good during his stay at the crease, was also dismissed by Axar Patel in the same over. The wickets kept on tumbling as Sri Lanka's middle and lower order failed to put up any significant score on the board. SL's captain Charith Asalanka failed with the bat on his captaincy debut as he was dismissed for a second-ball duck.

Sri Lanka lost their last 9 wickets for just 30 runs to hand India a 1-0 lead in the series. The next T20I will be played on the same ground on July 28 (Sunday).