India vs Sri Lanka – Key MomentIn a thrilling turn of events during the third T20I between India and Sri Lanka, Rinku Singh delivered a match-defining 19th over, taking two crucial wickets for just three runs. This left Sri Lanka six wickets down and significantly hampered their chase.
India’s Rinku Singh celebrates taking the wicket of Sri Lanka’s Ramesh Mendis during the third Twenty20 cricket match between ind vs sl in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, on Tuesday (AP).
The Decision-Making Process – India vs Sri Lanka
Despite Mohammed Siraj having an over left and Shivam Dube yet to bowl, captain Suryakumar Yadav opted for Rinku Singh, who had not bowled in international cricket before, for the crucial 19th over. This decision came after Khaleel Ahmed’s over, which saw him concede 12 runs, reducing Sri Lanka’s target to just nine runs in the final match of the series at Pallekele.
Although India had already secured the series with victories in the first two matches, Suryakumar and head coach Gautam Gambhir took a significant gamble by choosing Rinku for the penultimate over. Rinku’s off-spin proved to be effective as he picked up two wickets for just three runs, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Suryakumar then bowled the final over, taking two more wickets on consecutive deliveries to defend six runs and secure victory in the Super Over.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Explanation
After the match, Suryakumar explained the reasoning behind this bold move. Speaking to Sony Sports, he shared that Rinku was better suited for the conditions with his right-arm off-spin, having practiced extensively throughout the series.
“The decision for the 20th over was easy, the difficult part was for the 19th over. Siraj and a few others had their overs left. “I felt Rinku was better suited for that wicket because I have seen him bowl and made sure he practiced a lot at the nets.” It seemed like the right decision, which is why I made that call,” Suryakumar said.
Match-Ups and Strategic Insights
When former India cricketer Ashish Nehra asked why Suryakumar himself did not bowl the 19th over, the captain cited match-ups as a key factor. He emphasized that a right-handed bowler against a left-handed batter is typically a favorable match-up, acknowledging that Rinku’s performance has given him an additional bowling option for future T20I matches.
“I knew the 19th over has always been challenging for Indian cricket (laughs),” That’s why I entrusted Rinku with it. A right-hander bowling to a left-hander is always tough for the batter. It was great to see him use his skills effectively, making my job easier and giving me an additional bowling option for the future,” Suryakumar added.
Upcoming Matches India vs Sri Lanka
India is set to play a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka starting on August 3 in Colombo.