Indian team under the leadership of Rohit Sharma successfully defended a total of 199 runs in the first T20I match against Sri Lanka, on February 24 (Thursday), in Lucknow. Skipper Rohit Sharma had used seven bowling options to restrict the Sri Lanka batting unit within a total of just 137 runs in 20 overs.
Bowlers like, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel bowled in the first T20I to secure the first match of the series.
Iyer's special request
But now in a conversation after the match, Indian batter Shreyas Iyer revealed a hilarious incident in which he exchanged words with Indian vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah. Iyer disclosed that he “tried to bribe” Bumrah to get a chance to bowl in the final overs. But unfortunately, Iyer never got a chance to bowl a single over in the first T20I match.
"I had already put my hand up (for a bowl). Around the 16th over when he (Rohit) went it he had already told Bumrah these are the bowlers who need to bowl. I tried to bribe Bumrah but it didn't work for me (laughs)," the 27-year-old Indian batsman revealed after the match.
Superb batting show
Iyer might not have got a chance to bowl in the match but he did shine with the bat as the Mumbai-born scored a half century (57 runs off 28 balls). Iyer’s innings was comprised of 5 boundaries and 2 sixes.
Earlier, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan played a terrific innings of 89 runs off 56 balls to earn a solid start for the Indian batting. Skipper Rohit Sharma on the other hand, gave a good support to Ishan, as he scored 44 runs off 32 balls. Rohit smashed 2 boundaries and one six, in the first T20I match.
In reply, Sri Lanka batting unit never seemed to be confident enough to win the match as they kept on losing wickets in regular intervals. Apart from Charith Asalanka (53 runs off 47 balls) not a single Sri Lanka batter looked confident enough to face Indian bowlers.
In the Indian bowling unit, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Venkatesh Iyer picked up two wickets each as Yuzvendra Chahal and Jadeja bagged one wicket each to secure a 62-run victory for the Indian team.
