It is rightly said "Twenty20 is designed to thrill." The first-ever T20 played in Sri Lanka did it in abundant measure. More than 325 runs in 39.2 over with 11 sixes and 32 fours. Indeed, a “paisa-vasool” match.
With rare luck going Sri Lanka’s way at the toss, they were more than determined to send “The Men in Blue” back home with a crushing defeat. Both the teams started with agile legs and hard hitters on their side. Sri Lanka’s batting innings started off with a flier with Sanath Jayasurya exploding from the word go. With rampaging Jayasurya, 200 seemed to be a meager total but Irfan Pathan shattered this dream by clinching Jayasurya in his first over. Sri Lanka, all of a sudden, lost their well designed plot. However, Tilekratne Dilshan, Sri Lanka’s makeshift captain, took up the responsibility of stabilizing the innings by scoring 61 off 47. After having a shaky start, he made up for the mid-innings slump. He assumed the role of the senior batsman, flayed on the off side, ran hard and kept the score-board ticking with some support from Chamara Kapugedera. Yusuf Pathan slowed down their momentum by giving only 23 runs and picking 2 crucial wickets. Jehan Mubarak tried his best to get his team back on the track in the last few overs. 82 came from last 8 overs, which ensured Sri Lanka had a reasonable total of 171 to defend.
With a formidable 172 to chase, it was India’s turn to prove their worthiness as T20 World Champions. With glaring luck and sharp fielding, Sri Lankans were able plug the muzzle of Indian side, Virender Sehwag, for 1. Gautam Gambhir just started to open up when he was shown the way to pavilion by Thushara. With 2 wickets down on 14 runs, India was caught up in deep hydra. But the magician who showed stars at day by hitting 6 sixes of 6 balls in WC, Yuvraj Singh, came to India’s rescue. He along with Suresh Raina built a strong platform for India’s victory. India was dominating the match with 81 for 2 after 8 overs, when Dilshan decided to use his trump card, legspinner Malinga Bandara. Bandara successfully tried all the weapons in his arsenal and Jayasurya used all his experience to put a halt to India’s fast paced innings. Eventually, India lost 5 wickets in next 34 runs. Sri Lankans were on the verge of come-from-behind victory, when Pathan brothers disrupted their joy. Y. Pathan showcased his prowess when he hit the second ball he faced, from Bandara, for a glaring boundary over extra cover. More was to come from the emerging hero. The next ball was hit for a six straight over the sightscreen. Two balls later, another maximum over mid-wicket by the elder brother. That forced Dilshan to abandon the idea of spin bowling. But when fast bowlers came, I. Pathan was ready to join the fun. He carved a beauty by smashing one-bounce four, over extra cover, of Lasith Malinga. In the next over, Dilhara Fernando was clubbed all over the ground by the younger Pathan. Dilshan was left screaming at his bowlers and wringing his hands in despair. Finally a coup-de-grace was delivered in the last over of Malinga by Irfan Pathan by hitting a meaty blow over mid-on. India wins in a dramatic fashion by 3 wickets and 4 balls to spare, courtesy Pathan brothers.
The first-ever T20 in Sri Lanka will always be remembered for India achieving a Herculean task thanks to Yusuf and Irfan Pathan!
Chitrang Dalal
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