Moneycontrol PRO
HomeNewsCricket NewsBall by Ball Commentary

And that's a wrap on the Sri Lanka vs West Indies T20 series! Sri Lanka, under Sanath Jayasuriya's guidance, has bounced back from their initial loss to clinch the trophy 2-1. But the cricket fever doesn't end here! With an exciting lineup of international matches ahead, fans have plenty to look forward to. Until next time, thank you for joining us!

Charith Asalanka has been handed the trophy and he joins his teammates for further celebrations.

Charith Asalanka, the victorious skipper of Sri Lanka says that the top-order batters batted brilliantly and that helped the team win the series. Mentions that throughout the series he kept reminding his side that they did well against India as well and if they just win those close moments they could be a hard team to beat and it reflected in this series. Reckons that that the aggressive start at the top is something that the two at the top decided by themselves and thanks to them for that solid start at the top.

Rovman Powell the losing skipper of West Indies says they had enough runs on the board on such a tricky track but credit goes to Sri Lanka as they batted well. Mentions that as a bowling group, they failed to make a game of it and the game went away from them in the PP itself. Reckons that the quality of spinners on both sides was the difference but they will learn from this. Closes by saying that these were unfamiliar conditions for them but acknowledges that his side did well and they have a lot of positives from this series. Thanks the Sri Lankan crowd for the love and support they have shown towards them.

Pathum Nissanka is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES.

Kusal Mendis is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. Mendis is up for a chat and says he played well and the inning from Pathum Nissanka helped as that allowed him time at the top. Mentions that they are familiar with these conditions and his partnership with Kusal Perera in the middle was a good one as well as they kept rotating strike.

Time for the presentation ...

Earlier in the game, the West Indies batted first after winning the toss and scored 162 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. Despite a shaky start where they lost key wickets early, particularly with Evin Lewis falling for a golden duck and struggling performances from Shai Hope and Roston Chase, Rovman Powell and Gudakesh Motie stabilized the innings. Motie contributed aggressively with 32 runs off 15 balls, while Powell added 37 runs off 27 balls. The Sri Lankan bowlers Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana each took 2 wickets, helping keep the West Indian score in check.

West Indian bowling attack failed to make an impact, leaving Rovman Powell disappointed. Despite the pitch offering ample assistance to spinners, the Caribbean spinners couldn't capitalize, while the seamers also struggled to make inroads

Chasing 162 on a challenging pitch seemed daunting, but Sri Lanka dismantled the target with ease. They exploited the Powerplay to perfection, racing to 66/1 in the first six overs. Pathum Nissanka's departure didn't derail their momentum, as Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera forged a pivotal partnership. The Kusal's steered Sri Lanka to a resounding 9-wicket triumph over the West Indies, making the chase look effortless. The most important aspect of the chase was the way these two ran in between the wickets.

Sri Lanka delivers a dominant and thoroughly professional performance to outclass West Indies by 9 wickets, sealing the series 2-1 convincingly. The exceptional display from the hosts ensured a one-sided contest, showcasing their all-round prowess and cementing their status as series champions.

17.6FOUR! A BOUNDARY TO WRAP THINGS UP! Short-pitched around leg, Kusal Perera flicks this wide to the right of the short fine leg fielder this time and ends the game with a boundary. Sri Lanka wins this by 9 wickets and a good chunk of 12 balls to spare.

17.5Yorker around off, Kusal Mendis rolls this towards long on for one. SCORES ARE LEVEL!

17.4With the crowd looking to roar the loudest so far, Alzarri Joseph bowls an absolute beauty outside off, beating the outside edge of Mendis. Where was this throughout the game, Mr. Joseph?

17.4WIDE! On a length down the leg, Kusal Mendis swings and misses. Wided. Just 2 needed now.

17.3On a length around off, Kusal Perera tucks this through mid-wicket and runs one.

17.2FOUR! FIFTY FOR PERERA! Yorker, down the leg, Kusal Perera moves in and flicks this fine and wide to the left of short fine leg for a boundary to bring up his half-century.

17.1On a length around off, angling away from the batter. Kusal Mendis flicks this towards the left of Shamar Springer at wide long on and runs two yet again.

16.6On a length around leg, Kusal Perera thumps this down to long on for one.

16.5FOUR! Full toss, on off, Kusal Perera doesn't hit this uppish and flicks this in the empty pockets between deep mid-wicket and wide long on for a boundary this time. Just 11 needed now for Lanka to clinch this series.

The umpire sends this upstairs to check if the batters had taken three or did they stop after a couple. Three runs is the verdict from the TV umpire.

16.4Good length wide of off, Kusal Mendis cuts this towards deep point and was expecting a boundary. A brilliant effort in the deep by Sherfane Rutherford keeps it down to three.

Sherfane Rutherford has jammed his little finger in the ground as he fielded this and he might have dislocated that. It's the turn of the West Indies team physio to rush out and check on his player.

The physio is earning his money here with frequent visits to check on the batter. Kusal Mendis is down again, nothing related to the earlier hit on the helmet though. This is regarding a sprain he has felt on his right thigh. He is good to continue though.

16.3On a length outside off, Kusal Mendis moves in and looks to ramp this over short fine leg, misses and the ball is collected by Shai Hope behind the stumps. Kusal Mendis looks in some pain though and this is something to do with his thigh on the right leg.

16.2FOUR! Brilliantly played away from the fielder for four. On a length, wide of off, Kusal Mendis jumps to his off and plays this late. Cuts this wide to the right of short third and the ball races away for four.

16.1Pace off, full and wide outside off, Kusal Perera stretches and drills this towards sweeper cover for one.

15.6Short and wide outside off, Kusal Mendis adjusts and slaps this through extra cover for a couple to end the over. 23 now needed of last 4 overs.

15.5Full and wide outside off, Kusal Mendis guides this to short third for no run.

The physio rushes in and it is Kusal Mendis undergoing a concussion check as the ball hits his helmet while he was looking to sweep. Everything looks good though.

15.4Length dragged back a bit, on off, Kusal Mendis goes for the sweep, gets an outside edge and the ball clips his helmet. A mandatory concussion check will take place now.

15.3Short of a length on off, Kusal Mendis pulls this into the surface but towards mid-wicket for no run.

15.2Fuller, on off, Kusal Mendis punches this towards extra cover for no run.

15.1FOUR! Kusal Mendis is such a pleasing sight to the eyes when he is in this form. Tossed up around off, Kusal Mendis moves away from the line of it and chips this almost all the way up and over extra cover for four runs.

The equation is down to 29 runs off the last five overs. The Lankans are well and truly on track in the chase but we have seen them collapse in the recent past in a similar sort of situation in the series against India. Can they overcome that mentality to crumble in a pressure situation? We shall find out soon.

14.6Yet another couple and this is athleticism of the highest order from these two. Good length around middle and leg, Kusal Perera tucks this in the empty pocket towards mid-wicket and runs a couple more. Excellent running between the wickets.

14.5On a length on off, Kusal Perera flicks this towards deep mid-wicket region for a couple more.

14.4Good length around middle and off, Kusal Perera pulls this towards the deep mid-wicket region for a couple of runs.

14.3Good length on middle and off, Kusal Perera defends this one.

14.2FOUR! That's a cracking shot now. Short and wide outside off, Kusal Perera hangs back and lofts this up and over extra cover for a boundary.

14.1Short-pitched, into the body, around leg, Kusal Perera lofts this behind mid-wicket and runs back for two. A bit more time in the air might have seen the ball land in the lap of a fielder.

13.6Fuller, around the leg this time, Kusal Perera nudges this away towards deep square for one.

13.5Much slower, in the line of stumps, bouncing over middle. Kusal Perera goes for the slog sweep and misses.

13.4Short of a length around middle and leg, Mendis gets it away on leg for one more.

13.3Too full, on off, Kusal Mendis dabs this towards short third and runs one. Not a good throw from the fielder towards Roston Chase allows an extra run.

13.2FIFTY! Kusal Mendis has batted extremely well to score a fifty on this tricky track. Slower and fuller around middle and leg, Kusal Mendis tucks this through mid-wicket and runs a couple.

13.1Fuller, on the pads, Kusal Mendis goes for the sweep and fails to get it away.

12.6It has been a while since the ball touched or crossed the ropes now. Maybe a wicket here and the visitors will be back in this. Good length on leg, Mendis tucks this away towards deep mid-wicket for one.

12.5Yorker, on the pads, Kusal Mendis flicks this towards short fine leg for no run.

12.4Good length, on off. Kusal Mendis defends this back to the right of the bowler.

12.3Back of a length around off, Kusal Mendis punches this off the back foot towards the right of point for a couple.

12.2Back of a length, into the batter. Kusal Perera pulls this towards deep square for one.

12.1Slower one, full and wide outside off. Perera swings and misses.

11.6Tossed up in the line of stumps, Kusal Perera drives this towards sweeper cover for one.

11.5Quicker and flatter outside off, Kusal Mendis cuts this through backward point for one.

11.4Short of a length around off, Mendis punches this towards extra cover for no run.

11.3Quicker and flatter, outside off, Kusal Mendis goes for the cut and misses.

11.2Too full around off, Kusal Perera gets it away on off towards point and runs one more.

11.1Fuller, around the leg, Kusal Mendis rolls this towards long on for one.

10.6On a length around off, Kusal Perera defends this back to the bowler.

10.5On a length around off, Kusal Perera pushes this towards wide long off and comes back for two. Excellent use of the field here from these two.

10.4Much better from Alzarri Joseph. Back of a length, wide of off, in that corridor of uncertainty. Kusal Perera tentatively pokes at it and gets beaten on the inside.

10.3FOUR! Lovely bit of timing behind this and he has found the fence again. On a length, angling into the batter, Kusal Perera flicks this and finds the gap bisecting the fielders in the deep on leg for four runs.

10.2Back of a length around middle and leg, Kusal Mendis jams this towards the bowler.

10.1FOUR! Juicy half-volley, outside off, Kusal Perera gets right on top of it and nails the off-drive straight down the ground towards long off for four runs.

9.6Dropped again. The fielding has been really poor from the visitors and they are paying for it. Tossed up, on off, holds a bit into the surface, Kusal Mendis goes for the drive and gets it high off his bat straight towards the bowler. Roston Chase gets behind this and gets both hands to it but drops it in the end.

9.5Quicker and flatter on off, Kusal Mendis cuts this towards short third for no run.

9.4Too full, wide of off, Kusal Perera drives this to long off for one.

9.3Short of a length on off, Mendis rolls this towards long on for one.

9.2SIX! Kusal Mendis is not allowing Roston Chase to settle. Tossed up on middle and off, Kusal Mendis gets low on a knee and slog sweeps this up and over the deep mid-wicket fieder for a massive six.

9.1Short of a length around middle and leg, Kusal Mendis flicks this towards the left of deep square and runs a couple.

8.6Length dragged back on off, Kusal Perera cuts this towards backward point for no run. Kusal Perera cries in agony as this seemed as a boundary opportunity.

8.5Tossed up on the pads again, Kusal Mendis gets down on a knee and sweeps this towards deep square for one.

8.4Fuller around off, Kusal Mendis drives this towards sweeper cover and scampers back for two.

8.3Tossed up and Kusal Perera sweeps this away for one.

8.2FOUR! Quicker and fuller, straying down the leg, Kusal Perera flicks this and finds the fence behind the wicket towards leg for a boundary.

8.1Mendis was gone for all money had Hope hit the stumps on the striker's end. Fuller, on off, Kusal Perera dabs this towards off and goes for a run, Shai Hope was quickly onto this and threw at the stumps towards the striker's end and missed. The batter took an extra run though.

7.6Quicker and wide of off, Kusal Perera edges this onto the pads and towards off for one.

7.5Too full, around the pads, Kusal Mendis flicks this towards short mid-wicket and takes one. It was fielded well initially but in order to throw this on the dive towards the bowler the fielder fluffed his line and the batter took advantage of it.

7.4Tossed up on the pads, Kusal Mendis goes for the sweeps nad misses. The ball gets thumped into the pads though.

7.3Fuller on off, Kusal Mendis drives this towards extra cover for no run.

7.2Too full, around leg, Kusal Perera tucks this towards deep square for one.

7.1Short of a length around middle and leg, Kusal Mendis hops on the back foot and pulls this flat towards deep mid-wicket for one.

6.6Good length on the pads, Kusal Mendis flicks this towards deep mid-wicket for a single

6.5FOUR! Innovative and effective from Mendis. Back of a length around off, Kusal Mendis moves in and looks to ramp this over short fine leg, gets it away off the glove and lobs it over the keeper instead but for a boundary. Mendis wouldn't mind one bit of how it goes to the fence.

6.4Short-pitched, into the body, Perera gets late to the pull and ends up clipping it off the gloves towards leg for one.

6.3Good length wide of off, Kusal Perera guides this towards backward point for no run.

6.2On a length around off, Kusal Mendis dabs this in front of short third and the two Kusal's steal a single.

6.1On a length around off, Kusal Mendis pushes this towards extra cover for no run.

5.6Too full, around off, Kusal Perera flicks this towards mid-wicket for nothing. An excellent Powerplay ends for Sri Lanka.

5.6TWO WIDES! Quicker and fuller, down the leg, Kusal Mendis leaves it and the ball deflects off the pass of Shai Hope towards short leg and the batters run one as well. Wided.

5.5Too full, on off, Kusal Mendis pushes this towards off for no run.

5.4FOUR! Excellently swept away for four. Tossed up around middle and leg, Kusal Mendis gets inside the line of it and sweeps this wide to the left of deep square for four runs.

Delay in proceedings as Gudakesh Motie is being given some medical assistance from the team physio. Motie looks good to continue.

5.3Too full, around off, Kusal Perera thumps this towards long on for one. Gudakesh Motie in an attempt to field this gets whacked on his bowling arm and he needs some medical attention here.

Kusal Perera joins Kusal Mendis in the middle.

5.2OUT! TIMBER! Pathum Nissanka misreads the pace and line and he has to walk back. Arm-delivery, angling into the batter, Pathum Nissanka looks to nudge this off his backfoot towards leg but the ball skids on and keeps low as well. Beats the batter and rattles the timber.

5.1Fuller around off, Pathum Nissanka pushes this towards the ring of fielders on off for no run.

4.6Good length, around middle and off, Mendis looks to nudge this towards leg but ends up getting a leading edge just in front of Shamar Joseph towards the off side for nothing.

4.5Excellent from Brandon King. On a length around middle and off, Kusal Mendis punches this on the up into the surface and a boundary written all over it. Brandon King had other ideas as he flies to his left and fields this. Saves four runs for his side.

4.4SIX! Was it a replay of the biggie earlier in the over? No, but it seemed so. Banged short, around leg, Kusal Mendis swivels and pulls this up and over the fielder in the deep towards deep square for six more runs.

4.3On a length wide of off, Pathum Nissanka dabs this towards third man for one.

4.2Back of a length around middle and leg, Kusal Mendis tucks this towards the right of mid on for one.

4.1SIX! THE QUICKER IT COMES, THE FASTER IT FLIES! Short-pitched, around middle and leg, Kusal Mendis picks it up and pulls this out of the park and into the stands along the wind towards deep square leg region for a biggie.

Shamar Joseph comes into the attack.

3.6Much slower and in the line of stumps, Pathum Nissanka defends this one.

3.5Fuller, on off, Pathum Nissanka defends this off the front foot.

3.4FOUR! CARVED AWAY! Short of a length a bit quicker as well, Pathum Nissanka rocks on the back foot and cuts this through the gap between point and backward point for yet another boundary. Pathum Nissanka is dealing heavily in boundaries.

3.3Ordinary i the field from Windies and what should have been a dot ends up being a couple for Pathum. Fuller on off, Pathum Nissanka thumps this towards extra cover but this sneaks under the fielder and the batter runs two.

3.3WIDE! Full and wide down the leg, Pathum Nissanka goes for the paddle and misses. Wided.

3.2Quicker and fuller on off, Kusal Mendis drives this to long off for one.

3.1Fuller, on off, Kusal Mendis keeps it out.

2.6Touch fuller, on off, Pathum Nissanka punches this to Motie at cover.

2.5Short of a length wide of off, Pathum Nissanka looks to pull this as well but it spins a long way and beats him.

2.4FOUR! The onslaught continues from Pathum Nissanka. Short of a length around middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka hops back and pulls this aerially, intentionally over mid-wicket for another boundary.

2.3Short of a length on off, Pathum Nissanka rocks back and pulls this towards deep mid-wicket for a couple.

2.2Fuller, on off, Kusal Mendis plays the inside out again but this time the deep extra-cover fielder cuts it off.

2.1FOUR! The energy of Pathum Nissanka now shifts to Kusal Mendis who threads off side as well. Tossed up on off, Kusal Mendis moves away from the line of it and lofts this inside out over extra cover for a boundary.

1.6FOUR! Another boundary and Pathum Nissanka has moved to 26 in no time. Short-pitched, not a problem for Pathum as he stays back and pulls this into the surface through mid-wicket for four runs. Gudakesh Motie runs to the fence from mid on and looks to keep it inside the playing area but fails to do so.

1.5FOUR! That's as classy as it could get. On a length around middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka flicks this flamboyantly up and over a widish mid on for a boundary.

1.4Good length wide outside off, Pathum Nissanka jumps down the track and swipes at it, gets beaten on the inside.

1.3SIX! GO FETCH THAT SAYS NISSANKA! Short-pitched, around chest height, Pathum Nissanka picks it up early and hooks this up and over the deep square leg field for a huge six. Pathum Nissanka is in no nonsense mood.

1.2Back of a length around off, shaping further away from the batter. Pathum Nissanka shoulders arms it.

1.1On a length around off, Kusal Mendis dabs this towards the third man region for a single.

Alzarri Joseph will bowl from the other end.

0.6Quicker and short around off, sharp turn on offer, Pathum Nissanka punches this towards cover for no run. A good first over for Sri Lanka.

0.5FOUR! Pathum Nissanka is ridigin his luck. Tossed up on off, Pathum Nissanka goes for the slog sweep and swings hard. The ball gets a leading edge behind Rovman Powell at first slip. Rovman Powell runs backward and looks to pluck this but the ball deflects off his hands and races into the fence.

0.4FOUR! Pathum Nissanka is doing his bit to get Fabian Allen off his line. Short of a length on off, touch quicker this time around, Pathum Nissanka goes for the reverse sweep and gets a good connection to it. The ball lobs over point for a boundary.

0.3Sharp turn. Short of a length on off, Pathum Nissanka goes on the back foot and looks to cut this but gts beaten.

0.2FOUR! Pathum Nissanka is up and running in the chase with a boundary, not a convincing one though. Tossed up, around off, turning away from the batter. Pathum Nissanka plays for the arm delivery and the ball gets an outside edge and flies past Rovman Powell at first slip for a boundary.

0.1Starts with a teasing line outside off, Pathum Nissanka drives this towards cover for a dot to begin the chase.

news

Index Price Change % Chg

Nifty 50

25287.30 105.50 0.42

BSE Sensex

82491.14 319.04 0.39

Nifty Bank

56622.25 430.20 0.77

Nifty IT

35595.20 -33.30 -0.09

BSE SmallCap

53379.62 315.19 0.59

Team Rankings

RankTeamPointsRating
1Australia3732124
2South Africa2873115
3England4469112
4India3515107
5New Zealand240996
6Sri Lanka236488
7Pakistan170578
8West Indies186572
9Bangladesh164861
10Ireland15230
11Afghanistan10421
12Zimbabwe1378
RankTeamPointsRating
1India4471124
2New Zealand4160109
3Australia3717106
4Sri Lanka4235103
5Pakistan3493100
6South Africa345799
7Afghanistan240693
8England325288
9West Indies281480
10Bangladesh250676
11Zimbabwe129154
12Ireland93852
13Scotland152246
14USA138741
15Netherlands142540
16Oman88635
17Nepal106033
18Namibia70721
19Canada35716
20United Arab Emirates2508
RankTeamPointsRating
1India17396272
2Australia10434268
3England11308257
4New Zealand12061251
5South Africa10950243
6West Indies12701235
7Pakistan15141233
8Sri Lanka9899230
9Bangladesh13711225
10Afghanistan8914217
11Zimbabwe11860201
12Ireland6821201
13Netherlands6366182
14Scotland4178182
15United Arab Emirates9697180
16Namibia6075179
17USA5769175
18Nepal6399173
19Canada5374154
20Oman6046147
21Uganda7952142
22Papua New Guinea2621138
23Kuwait5441130
24Hong Kong6374127
25Malaysia6395123
26Bahrain7285119
27Jersey2819117
28Italy1725115
29Qatar3863114
30Bermuda3040113
31Spain1872110
32Saudi Arabia4245109
33Kenya5074106
34Tanzania4082100
35Germany192487
36Nigeria337779
37Singapore284477
38Guernsey207177
39Cayman Islands192174
40Austria377171
41Denmark126270
42Norway209570
43Japan220967
44Portugal133367
45Belgium205957
46Cambodia136557
47Switzerland108649
48Finland113049
49Argentina62748
50Sweden104848
51Malawi201947
52Botswana154747
53Isle of Man60446
54France110946
55Thailand165446
56Romania136045
57Bahamas97242
58Czechia91141
59Cook Islands55239
60Philippines82738
61Rwanda234337
62Fiji38735
63Vanuatu56135
64Samoa59431
65Ghana57030
66Sierra Leone50430
67Indonesia165029
68Hungary97129
69Estonia66528
70Malta108526
71Mozambique51826
72Swaziland49126
73Israel17825
74Cyprus42023
75Panama31821
76Belize16421
77Gibraltar49419
78Luxembourg43218
79Serbia45117
80Costa Rica21817
81Bhutan33616
82Suriname11915
83Brazil13115
84Mexico22213
85Maldives21410
86Cameroon868
87Bulgaria1456
88Korea946
89St.Helena446
90China295
91Lesotho242
92Turkiye262
93Gambia61
94Slovenia00
94Seychelles00
94Myanmar00
94Mali00
94Greece00
94Croatia00
94Mongolia00
Advisory Alert: It has come to our attention that certain individuals are representing themselves as affiliates of Moneycontrol and soliciting funds on the false promise of assured returns on their investments. We wish to reiterate that Moneycontrol does not solicit funds from investors and neither does it promise any assured returns. In case you are approached by anyone making such claims, please write to us at grievanceofficer@nw18.com or call on 02268882347