Nagpur, December 09: The new format and a fresh set of faces, including veteran Sanath Jayasuriya, definitely helped Sri Lanka clinch the first Twenty20 International against India by 29 runs, said visiting team skipper Kumar Sangakkara.
“It was a new format and there were fresh faces who are one-day specialists in the team who were ready to stand up and be counted,” said Sangakkara who played a stellar knock of 78 to power the tourists to 215 for 5.
In reply, India were halted at 186 for nine by determined Lanka bowling and excellent fielding.
Sangakkara said the wicket of Gautam Gambhir was obviously the key point in the contest when the Indian left-hander was going great guns.
“The wicket of (Virender) Sehwag after they started well was a bonus. Then we got the wicket of Gambhir. At that stage they needed one boundary an over.
–Agencies