Thisara Perera’s hat-trick couldn’t prevent India levelling their T20 series against Sri Lanka with a 69-run win at Ranchai.
Perera had Hardik Pandya caught at long-on, Suresh Raina held by Dushmantha Chameera at backward square-leg, before Yuvraj Singh hit the hat-trick ball to Sachithra Senanyake in the 19th over.
Shikhar Dhawan’s maiden Twenty20 international half-century ensured India posted 196 for six despite Perera’s 3-33 – the opener smashing his way to 51 off 25 balls.
India finish on 196/6, S Dhawan 51, RG Sharma 43 – Perera took a Hat-trick while Chameera bagged 2/38. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/eBpYv05OHl
— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) February 12, 2016
Sri Lanka failed to build on the momentum of Perera’s hat-trick, as Ashish Nehra claimed 2-26 and Ravichandran Ashwin 3-14 to ensure the run chase never got going.
Despite the efforts of Dinesh Chandimal, who made 31 and Chamara Kapugedera, who added 32, Sri Lanka were left hanging on 127 for nine.
Source: ECB