Journalism of Courage
India and Sri Lanka were up against each other in the first T20I in Pune. Invited to bat first, India were off to a bad start as Sri Lanka debutant Kasul Rajitha sent Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane back to the pavillion in the first over. (Source: PTI)
Sri Lanka bowlers did not allow the Indian batsmen to settle. The green pitch added to the woes of India as they lost wickets at regular intervals. (Source: PTI)
Suresh Raina did show some of his form as he scored 20 odd runs with the help of a six but Dasun Shanaka slipped one delivery through his defence to end his innings. (Source: AP)
Dushmantha Chameera also bowled a superb line and length and got the wickets of Yuvraj Singh and Ashish Nehra. (Source: PTI)
It was R Ashwin unbeaten 31-run innings that helped India cross the 100-run mark but they could only manage 101. (Source: AP)
Sri Lanka's chase also began on a disastrous note as Ashish Nehra picked up two wickets in his first two overs, reducing Sri Lanka to 23/2. (Source: PTI)
Dinesh Chandimal and Chamara Kapugedera then combined for a 39-run stand that put Sri Lanka's chase back on track. By the time Chandimal got out, Sri Lanka were 84/4. (Source: AP)
In the end, 102-run target was never enough for Sri Lanka as they chased it down in 18 overs with 5 wickets remaining. With the win, the visitors take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. (Source: PTI)
