India beat Sri Lanka by 88 runs; Clinch T20 series

This will be the first T20 global played at Holkar Stadium, though India has won all six of their previous internationals there across all formats (5 ODIs, 1 Test).

Overall the Wankhede wicket has favored the batsmen in the past but scores as high as 190 have been chased in T20 games here.

Earlier, put in to bat, skipper Rohit Sharma blasted a 35-ball century to power India to the joint-second highest T20I total of 260/5. While India would be aiming for their second straight victory, Sri Lanka who have had a awful tour would be playing for pride and looking forward to keeping the interest in the series somewhat alive. “It’s always important to score runs all over the field and that’s my strength”. They have lost both their games here – against England in 2012 and West Indies during the World T20 tournament in 2016 when India were led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He scored 118 off just 43 balls. The previous quickest to get it were Richard Levi and Mohammad Shahzad in 13.2 overs.

In reply, Sri Lanka, who lost the opening match by 93 runs at Cuttack on Wednesday, were bundled out for 172 in the 18th over to go down 2-0 in the three-match series after also losing in tests and one-day internationals.

But having won the series, the team management may decide to play some young guns like Basil Thampi, Washington Sundar and Deepak Hooda.

Coming at number four, India were 101/2 in 12.4 fours as Dhoni took a bit of time before launching Sri Lankan bowlers for four fours and one six in his unbeaten innings of 39 off 22.

Stand in skipper Rohit raced through the nineties and equaled David Miller’s record for the fastest ever T20I hundred.

He also surpassed South African icon AB de Villiers in the list of most sixes in a calendar year. There was never a tiresome moment till the time Rohit was at the crease as he pulled, cut and drove the clueless Lankan bowlers at will. Gayle took 30 balls to reach the landmark in an IPL game while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2013.

It was not even half-way mark and India had cruised to 108 for nine with 21 runs coming off ninth over from Gunaratne.