Team India under Suryakumar Yadav leadership beat Sri Lanka for the third time over a period of four days to clinch the three match T20I series 3-0 win at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele. Having won the opening T20I by 43 runs after setting a formidable target of 214 and the second one by seven wickets (via DLS) in a rain affected match while chasing 162 for a win, the third and final one proved to be an edge of the seat thriller, with the Gautam Gambhir coached visiting team winning by two wickets and five balls to spare in a Super Over after the two teams were tied at 137 in 20 overs.

 Chasing three runs for a win in Super over Suryakumar scored the winning boundary off the very first ball to ensure India’s win after his fellow team mate Washington Sundar struck twice in space of three balls with wickets off Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera caught in the outfield for a golden duck off consecutive balls with two runs on the board

 Earlier put in to bat, India which made four changes to their side that won the opening two T20Is labored to 137/9 in the face of penetrative bowling by rival spinners who bowled 14 overs among themselves. Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana led the hosts' bowling attack and shared five wickets between them. Opener Shubman Gill (39) top scored before being dismissed by Wanindu in the 16^th over. Riyan Parag (26) and Washington Sundar (25) brief cameo ensured the visitors a competitive score in the end.

 The hosts were truly in the driver's seat and were 110 for 1 at one stage, before leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi second wicket saw the back of a well set Kusal Mendis (43), who earlier had added 58 runs for the opening wicket with Pathum Nissanka (26). Indian tweakers led by Washington Sundar and well supported by part time spinners Rinku Singh and the skipper Suryakumar triggered a batting collapse as the host lost seven wickets including top score for further addition of 27 runs in 26 balls that ensured  a sensational tie (fifth involving India). Rinku and Suryakumar themselves defended 9 off 12 balls while scalping two wickets each in the final two overs.

Washington Sundar was named the Player of the Match, while Suryakumar Yadav earned the Player of the Series award, his fifth of his career following two brilliant knocks in the first two games and two wickets with his off-breaks in a thrilling Super Over win that was an icing on the cake.

Washington Sundar, Player of the Match post the match said, “"All the work I've put in, along with blessings from God, really helped me today. I tried to stay calm throughout. I'm very grateful to SKY for trusting me with the ball. It's a wonderful opportunity, and I just focused on doing what I'm supposed to do. We did our homework on their batters, and I aimed to hit the right lengths."

Charith Asalanka, a dejected Sri Lankan skipper who was disappointed with his batters , especially the middle-order and lower middle-order opined that their poor shot selection was a major cause for defeat. “ Hasaranga was sent up the order because the spinners were bowling, and he had the license to hit a few boundaries, but it didn't work out. We made wrong shot selections on this pitch. The target was definitely achievable, and we need to perform better as professional cricketers. I want to see improved batting performances in the ODIs. Our top three and four have done well, which is the only positive for us, " said Charith Asalanka

 Suryakumar Yadav, Player of the Series and winning Indian captain said “More than the last over, I feel the real turning point was when we were 30/4. The boys showed incredible character to reach 140, which was a par score on that track. I told them that if we put our hearts into it, we could pull it off. Their skill level and self-confidence make my job easy. The positivity and care they have for each other are unbelievable. After the last game, I told a few boys they would be rested, and they were ready to sit out without hesitation. They make my job easy, and I feel a little pressure when I bat. As I said before the series, I don't want to just be a captain; I want to be a leader."

Brief Scores (3^rd T20I)

India: 137 for 9 in 20 Overs (Shubman Gill 39 (37b: 3x4s), Riyan Parag 26 (18b: 1x4, 2x6s), Washington Sundar 25 (18b:2x4s,1x6); Maheesh M Theekshana 3/28, Wanindu Hasaranga 2/29, Chamindu Wickramasinghe 1/17, Asitha Fernando 1/11, Ramesh Mendis 1/26) tied with Sri Lanka : 137 for 8 in 20 Overs (Kusal Perera 46 (34b: 5x4s), Kusal Mendis 43 (41b: 3x4s), Pathum Nissanka 26 (27b: 5x4s); Rinku Singh 2/3, Suryakumar Yadav 2/5, Washington Sundar 2/23, Ravi Bishnoi 2/38); Super Over: Sri Lanka: 2 for 2 in 0.3 Overs (Washington Sundar 2/2) lost to India: 4 for no loss in 0. 1 Overs by two wickets. Player of the Match: Washington Sundar (India). Player of the Series: Suryakumar Yadav (India)  

Photo Cover : Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav led from the front with the bat and ball during the three match T20I series against Sri Lanka

Photo Above : Team India players along with coach and support staff pose for a group photo following their 3-0 triumph over Sri Lanka in T20I (Photos courtesy BCCI)