IND vs SL: Partnership With Sanju Samson Was Crucial: Shreyas Iyer Post 2nd T20I Win

India rode to a series-winning victory on the back of a career-best unbeaten 74 from Shreyas Iyer in second T20I in Dharamsala. His knock allowed India to canter through to a victory chasing 184 to win. On the way, he got support from Sanju Samson (39) and Ravindra Jadeja (45*) as India won their 11th consecutive T20I match. The hosts also bagged their seventh T20I series at home.

It was Shreyas Iyer’s fifth T20I fifty which ensured India’s win in the end. He first formed an 84-run partnership with Sanju Samson and then another 58-run stand with Jadeja to take India home.

At the post-match presentation, he spoke about how he paced his innings and added that his stand with Samson was crucial for India’s win. He began his interaction by speaking about his back and across movement against Dushmantha Chameera. The right-hander was lucky that the ball missed the stumps.

When I Do That, It Reflexes My Body: Shreyas Iyer On His Back And Across Movement

“I feel when I do that, the body reflexes work well and I can time my movement well. That’s why I backed away (on the ball that nearly bowled him), but he bowled it well, full and the swing took it away from the stumps. I was in shock when I saw the replays myself. It was important for me to time the ball – it was swinging and seaming. Ishan started well, but when he got out, Sanju got us going and we built a crucial partnership” said Iyer.

Iyer also spoke about his unbeaten partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, one which took India to a win. He also spoke about his intention on using his feet against the spinners. He smacked two back to back sixes to left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama to get into an attacking mode in his innings.

“When Samson was dismissed, Jaddu bhai came out to close the match for us. I wasn’t really thinking (asked if Lahiru Kumara should have been given an extra over), was focussed on myself and at the present – that’s what we always talk about in the team meetings. When I faced the first few balls, I realised it wasn’t turning (on the spinner), so I knew I could use the feet, the ball was travelling well, so I could step out on the lofted shots” Iyer added saying.

The third and the final T20I will be played in Dharamsala on Sunday (February 27). Rohit Sharma hinted about making some changes in the Indian playing XI and giving the reserve players a go.

Also Read: IND vs SL: Rohit Sharma Becomes First Indian Fielder To Take 50 Catches In T20Is