COVID-19 restrictions reduced the Indian squad to nine players in the last two games of the series. Following a positive test for COVID-19 returned by Krunal Pandya, eight more cricketers were identified as close contacts of the all-rounder by the medical team of the BCCI. The eight players were advised to isolate. In a move that the cricket fraternity applauded, standby cricketers were added to the squad by the BCCI to complete the series.
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Sri Lanka Beat India to Register First Series Win in 19 Years
India were beaten by seven wickets in the third and final T20 of the series at Colombo’s SR Premadasa Stadium on 29 July 2021. Electing to bat, India were restricted to 81 runs in the allotted overs, a modest target that the hosts chased down with nearly 6 overs to spare.
The final game of the series on 29 July was dominated by Sri Lanka from the first over. India’s decision to bat first on a difficult track proved to be an expensive one. While Kuldeep Yadav was the highest scorer with 23 runs, Bhuvneshwar Kumar made 16 and only one other batsman reached double figures. Man of the match Wanindu Hasaranga was the best bowler on display, taking 4/19 in his four overs.
India began disastrously, losing skipper Shikhar Dhawan in the first over to Dushmanth Chameera. Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka contributed to his side’s win with two wickets and two brilliant catches. Rahul Chahar was India’s most impressive bowler but there was not much he could do after India had set Sri Lanka a modest target. The Sri Lankan chase was steered by Dhananjay de Silva for the second match in succession, after a brisk start given by Minod Bhanuka. The win marked Sri Lanka’s first series win versus India since 2002.