India whitewash Sri Lanka in T20 series

Dec 24, 2017 - 6:52 PM India have completed a series whitewash over Sri Lanka with a narrow five-wicket victory in the third and final Twenty20 international in Mumbai.

The hosts overcame a mid-innings collapse to chase 136 with four balls remaining courtesy of late cameos from MS Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik on Sunday.

India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and saw his bowlers justify his decision by restricting the tourists to 7-135.

Jaydev Unadkat and Hardik Pandya both took two wickets while debutant spinner Washington Sundar, the youngest player to represent India in a T20 at the age of 18 years and 80 days, returned impressive figures of 1-22 from four overs.

Sri Lanka were soon in trouble at 3-18 and needed 36 from Asela Gunaratne and Dasun Shanaka's unbeaten 24-ball 29 to post a total that could challenge India.

India lost openers Lokesh Rahul and Sharma inside seven overs and were then reduced to 5-108 before Dhoni and Karthik came to the rescue, taking 20 off the last three overs.

Manish Pandey top-scored with 32 from 29 balls.

"There were a few hiccups in the middle, but we knew whatever the target we would be able to achieve it," said Sharma, India's stand-in skipper.

"We were able to give opportunities to different players as well as win the series. The youngsters were confident. We are now looking forward to South Africa."

Source: AAP