India saw off a brilliant bowling performance from Sri Lanka to beat the visitors by 5 wickets and seal the three-match series 3-0.
After the thrashing they received in the last game, Sri Lanka bowlers came up with a much -improved show but the modest runs on the scoreboard was just not enough for them to propel their team to a win. Chasing a modest 136, the hosts suffered a big setback early on when their in-form opener KL Rahul was dismissed for just 4. A little while later, Rohit Sharma also returned to the hut after scoring quickfire 27.
A 42-run stand between Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey steadied the ship but the duo could not help the hosts keep the required-rate under control. By the time the 10th over ended, the scoreboard was reading only 56. Sri Lanka then made the match further interesting by dismissing Shreyas Iyer who scored 30 off 32. India’s decision to promote Hardik Pandya in order to get some quick runs then backfired as the allrounder departed after scoring just 4. 9 runs after Pandya’s departure, Dushmantha Chameera further bolstered his chances by castling a well-settled Pandey for 32.
The equation was down to 28 off the last 23 balls when the in-form MS Dhoni joined Dinesh Karthik in the middle. Sri Lanka kept on bowling with lot of discipline, making it tough for Karthik and Dhoni to free their arms. But the equation completely changed when Nuwan Pradeep bowled a full-toss on the last ball of the 19th over which was hit for a six by Karthik. The shot brought down the equation to 3 off the final over before Dhoni hit a four to take the hosts home with 4 balls remaining.
Earlier, the visitors came up with a poor batting performance once again as they were restricted to 135 for seven in the allotted 20 overs. With wickets falling on regular intervals, Sri Lanka’s inning never got the impetus which made it tough for them to post a challenging total for the high-flying hosts. Batting first in the series for the first time, Thisara Perera & Co. were off to a start as their top three- Niroshan Dickwella, Upul Tharanga and Kusal Perera- were back in the hut with only 18 runs on the board.
A 38-run stand between Sadeera Samarawickrama and Asela Gunaratne stopped the rot for a while before the former’s dismissal completely derailed Sri Lanka’s innings. Gunaratne top-scored for his side, scoring 36 while Dasun Shanaka also played a handy knock of 29 as Sri Lanka huffed and puffed to a modest total.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:
Dhoni finishes off in style. And party begins at Wankhede.#INDvSL #Dhoni #INDvsSL
— Rajeev Chitguppi MDS (@chitguppi) December 24, 2017
Pradeep finishes the game for Sri Lanka.
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 24, 2017
India has always been about being good hosts to your guests.
That is what the Indian Cricket Team is doing. Been good to Sri Lanka before saying their byes. #INDVSL
— Rashi (@rashi_kakkar) December 24, 2017
Hardik Pandya can't even blame Jadeja tonight. Worse he can't even tweet "Hamko to apno ne loota" #INDvsSL
— The Goan Patiala ?? (@TheGoanPatiala) December 24, 2017
Solid fightback by the Lankan bowlers. At least we've got a contest. But it's #IndvSL at Wankhede – Fans hoping for another '@msdhoni finishes it off in style' ..
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) December 24, 2017
Rohit Sharma just threw away his wicket to give chance Manish Pandey & DK. What a legend.##INDvSL
— Sunil The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) December 24, 2017
Indian bowlers should give at least 50-60 runs as extras to make this match interesting.#INDvSL
— Sunil The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) December 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/CricFreakRD/status/944953159142608896?
Sri Lanka determined not to let Rohit get a 100 today #INDvSL
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) December 24, 2017
Sri Lanka batting cutting sorry figure I'm afraid. Every wicket gifted away…
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 24, 2017
Physically in Mumbai. Mentally in Colombo. #INDvSL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/MS7shubham/status/944925140453699584
Hardik is the senior in this bowling attack. Dead.
— arfan (@Im__Arfan) December 24, 2017
Washington Sundar gets to bowl the 1st over on his debut at Wankhede.. What a day for him. Wish you luck, mate! #INDvSL
— Prajwal Shetty (@oncrease) December 24, 2017
Jaydev Unadkat is a completely different bowler now. Has the Ability to complete India's pace attack. A left arm seamer always adds some variety and a much needed x-factor. #INDvSL
— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) December 24, 2017
What is bloody wrong with this Sri Lankan team!! Can’t bat, can’t bowl. don’t waste time watching anymore. Better things on Christmas Eve.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) December 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/GappistanRadio/status/944927527121948672
https://twitter.com/Fancricket12/status/944929541230706688
How can ICC ensure an International side not visibly interested in putting a semblance of a sincere effort..this SLankan team’s depriving the paying spectator of an honest contest..in modern context when moolah is raked in via tv coverage SLankans r fleecing Crkt..sad but true!!
— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) December 24, 2017
संबित पात्रा के तर्कों से भी घटिया अगर कुछ है तो वो श्रीलंका की बैटिंग है.
— Kuptaan ?? (@Kuptaan) December 24, 2017
Wankhede has a relatively newer chant. "Navratri me dandiya, Wankhede me Pandya." #INDvSL
— Jigar Mehta (@jigsactin) December 24, 2017
श्रीलंका की बेटिंग से अच्छे तो राहुल का भाषण है कम से कम हंसी तो आती है
???#INDvsSL— ?? चाईनीज समान का बहिष्कार करने वाला मारवाड़ी (@Rofl_Rajasthani) December 24, 2017
When a sri lankan batsman scores more than 15 runs. pic.twitter.com/ydC6DOcQy2
— Karan Talwar (@BollywoodGandu) December 24, 2017
Sri Lanka is behaving like how I behave on the day of my last exam. Focused on only getting done with shit asap and meet with friends for a beer.
— #CaronaGo (@MulundSoman) December 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/msdhoni7_fan/status/944980759068266496
India wins the cricket match @BCCI @msdhoni well played @CricketAus @CricketNDTV #T20 pic.twitter.com/aw7Dz0f9Io
— Reena Augustine (@ReenaAugustine) December 24, 2017
#INDvSL India won? the series with 3-0.. #RohitSharma what a great start as a captain??.
Match was finished with our great finisher #MSDhoni the legend— Balasubramaniam Nagarajan (@Nbalasubramani9) December 24, 2017
Expected @msdhoni will finish the game today and it happened……he is smart n situational
— Sujith Pillai (@SujithPillai27) December 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/chetanchaitu11/status/944980371489222657
https://twitter.com/imsharatbhatt/status/944980346352713728
Top Class Finishing Thala ? @msdhoni and be loved,❤❤❤ @DineshKarthik Brother ?? #INDvSL https://t.co/skfVnkZRHk
— Praveen Aravind (@Iam_Praveen1995) December 24, 2017