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Washington Sundar shines on debut and other talking points as India complete clean sweep of T20I series

Ashish Peter

21:26 24/12/2017

India completed a 3-0 clean sweep of the three-match series with a victory over Sri Lanka in the final T20I in Mumbai.

The hosts made two changes to the side that won at Indore with Washington Sundar coming in place of Yuzvendra Chahal to make his T20I debut for India while Mohammed Siraj replaced Jasprit Bumrah.

Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to field first on his home ground and restricted the islanders to in their 20 overs. In reply, India survived some mid-game jitters to complete a five-wicket win.

Here, we look at the key talking points of the match.

WASHINGTON MAKES HISTORY FOR INDIA

The 18-year old Washington Sundar became the youngest debutant for India in the 20-over format. The young all-rounder beat the previous record set by Rishab Pant who made his debut as a 19-year-old.

Sundar made his maiden bow a one to remember after being handed the new ball responsibilities by Sharma. The off-spinner struck in his second over after Kusal Perera miscued a flick towards long-on to give a simple return catch to the bowler.

The youngster bowled a tight line and gave nothing away to return with excellent figures of 1-22 off his four overs.

JAYDEV UNADKAT MAKES HIS MARK

Unlike Sundar, Unadkat has worn the blue of India previously but has failed to hold on to his place in the side. Given another opportunity in the series, the bowler showed that he could be the answer to India’s lack of left-arm pace options.

The 26-year-old bowled at a good clip generating some prodigious swing while also making excellent use of the slower delivery.

Unadkat accounted for the opening pair of Upul Tharanga and Niroshan Dickwella in his first spell and was miserly with his economy in the death overs.

He returned with sensational figures of 2-15 off his quota of overs.

SRI LANKA FIGHT HARD IN DEFENCE OF SUBPAR TOTAL

Sri Lanka have not had many moments to smile about in the entire tour be it the Tests, ODIs or T20Is. The islanders have lacked a little bit of fight as India have coasted to some comprehensive and comfortable wins.

Their bowlers just had 135 runs to defend at the Wankhede but they made sure that the hosts made a meal of the run chase.

At no stage were India allowed any breathing space by the Sri Lankans. Sharma and KL Rahul have made mockery of the bowling in previous matches but on Sunday they struggled for runs and were removed cheaply.

Dushmantha Chameera and Dasun Shanuka were the pick of the bowlers for the islanders.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers gave a much better account of themselves on Sunday.

MS DHONI AND DINESH KARTHIK HELP INDIA END HOME SEASON ON HIGH

Sri Lanka’s bowlers had stifled the run-scoring along with picking up wickets at regular intervals. When India lost Manish Pandey, the game seemed to be balanced on a knife-edge with the hosts at 108-5 in the 17th over.

MS Dhoni, with all his valuable experience, ensured that India completed a clean sweep of the series along with Dinesh Karthik.

The unbeaten knocks of 16 and 18 from Dhoni and Karthik respectively took India home with four deliveries to spare at the Wankhede stadium in the hosts’ final home game before they undertake a string of away tours.

Dhoni, along with Karthik, saw India through safely in the end.

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