India defeated Sri Lanka by 43 runs in the opening T20I at the Pallekele International Stadium on Saturday.  Invited to bat, India posted an imposing 213 for seven and then bowled the hosts out for 170 in 19.2 overs.

A 43-run victory in the first T20I! 🙌#TeamIndia take a 1-0 lead in the series 👏👏

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/Ccm4ubmWnj #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/zZ9b1TocAf

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 27, 2024

Riyan Parag took three wickets for five runs while Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh got two apiece. Pathum Nissanka top-scored for Sri Lanka with a 48-ball 79 while his opening partner Kusal Mendis contributed 45.

Also Read: Surya dons captain’s role to perfection, leads the way as India score 213/7 against Sri Lanka

In the Indian innings, new skipper Suryakumar Yadav led from the front with a 26-ball 58 after openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (40 off 21 balls) and Shubman Gill (34 off 16 balls) had put on 74 runs in just six overs.

For leading from the front with the bat, #TeamIndia Captain Suryakumar Yadav becomes the Player of the Match 🏆👏

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/Ccm4ubmWnj… #SLvIND | @surya_14kumar pic.twitter.com/s2LGOFsrsw

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 27, 2024

Rishabh Pant narrowly missed out on a half-century, making 49 in 33 balls. Pacer Matheesha Pathirana was the most successful bowler for Sri Lanka, returning figures of 4/40 in four overs on a day when Sri Lanka dropped a few catches.

This was India’s first match under new head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Brief scores: India: 213/7 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 58, Rishabh Pant 49, Yashasvi Jaiswal 40, Shubman Gill 34; Matheesha Pathirana 4/40).

Sri Lanka: 170 all out in 19.2 overs (Pathum Nissanka 79, Kusal Mendis 45; Riyan Parag 3/5, Axar Patel 2/38, Arshdeep Singh 2/24).

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(With PTI inputs)