Fans react after India’s win. (Image: BCCI, @Lala_The_Don, @Ctrlmemes_, @JohnyBravo183/X)
Team India beat Sri Lanka in the third T20I on Tuesday, July 30, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in an entertaining contest, drawing hilarious reactions from fans on the internet. Courtesy of the win, the Suryakumar Yadav-led side completed a whitewash against the home team in the 3-match T20I series.
After being asked to bat first, India scored 137/9 in 20 overs on a turning track. Shubman Gill (39), Riyan Parag (26), and Washington Sundar (25) performed decently with the bat for the visiting team, while others could not do much in the bowling-friendly conditions. Maheesh Theekshana (3/28) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2/29) starred for Sri Lanka in the bowling department.
In reply, Sri Lanka’s top order Pathum Nissanka (26), Kusal Mendis (43), and Kusal Perera (46) performed well again and took them to 110/1 in 15.1 overs. However, things went south for the home team from there as their batting line-up collapsed yet again in the final phase of the innings. They could only reach 137/8 in 20 overs, which resulted in a tie.
Rinku Singh (2/3) and Suryakumar Yadav (2/5) were sensational with the ball for India as they successfully restricted Sri Lanka from scoring nine runs in the last two overs of the match. Off-spinner Washington Sundar then took two wickets and gave away only two runs in the super over. Captain Suryakumar Yadav hit a four off the first ball and finished the match in style for the visitors
Fans enjoyed the low-scoring thriller between the two teams. They shared their reactions to the match by posting hilarious memes on X and Instagram.
Here are some of the best memes:
“I am really disappointed with our batting line up” – Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka after loss vs India in 3rd T20I
At the post-match presentation, Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka reflected on the disappointing loss, saying:
“I am really disappointed with our batting line up, especially middle order and late middle order. Very bad shot selection from the batters. The spinners were bowling that time that’s why Hasaranga came up the order and we gave him the license to hit the boundaries but it didn’t come off.”
He added:
“I think especially wrong selection on this kind of pitches. When ball gets older it’s hard to score runs so you have to be on point. You can’t give excuses as professional cricketers. We have to do more than this. I want to see good batting performance in the ODIs. The top four batters have batted well that’s the only plus we have.”
The two teams will next face off in the ODI series, which commences on August 2 in Colombo. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be back in action for India in the ODI format for the first time since the 2023 Cricket World Cup final.