Asian Games: Ishan Kishan's 80 Powers India to 169/7 Against Sri Lanka

Batting first on a surface with visible cracks that offered assistance to the spinners, India found scoring freely difficult at times. Kishan and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who made 38 off 21 balls, provided the impetus needed to help India post a competitive total.

Kishan carried the innings after India lost Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson cheaply. Abhishek made seven before being dismissed in the second over, while Samson also scored seven before Sri Lankan spinner Tharindu Ratnayake cleaned him up.

Ratnayake showcased his ability to bowl with both arms during the innings, switching to left-arm spin against right-handed batters. His variations proved effective on a pitch offering turn.

Sooryavanshi, returning to India's XI after missing the previous four T20Is, initially played cautiously before opening up with a series of attacking strokes. He hit six fours and two sixes during his 21-ball stay, including a reverse-hit boundary against Ratnayake.

The teenager was eventually dismissed for 38 by Sri Lankan captain and spinner Sahan Arachchige while attempting another big shot.

India captain Shreyas Iyer struggled to accelerate and made 13 off 13 balls before being bowled by left-arm spinner Wanuja Sahan, who produced a delivery that beat the batter's defence.

Axar Patel was promoted to No. 6 ahead of Tilak Varma but could manage only eight from 13 balls. He was dismissed by Arachchige after top-edging a slog.

Tilak then fell for two after being stumped off part-time off-spinner Nuwanidu Fernando, leaving India at 125/6 after 15 overs.

Kishan continued to attack despite the regular fall of wickets and completed his half-century from 33 balls in the 17th over. He survived a couple of chances during his innings, including a mishit that was dropped and a top edge that fell safely.

Ratnayake switched back to right-arm off-spin against Shivam Dube and had him caught at cover for three. Arachchige held an excellent catch to complete the dismissal.

Kishan and Washington Sundar then finished the innings strongly, hitting two sixes in the final over to collect 18 runs and take India to 169/7.

Kishan's innings once again underlined his ability to produce an attacking knock in difficult batting conditions, following his earlier 77 off 40 balls against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup.

**Brief Scores:** India 169/7 (Ishan Kishan 80*, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 38; Sahan Arachchige 2/28, Tharindu Ratnayake 2/32) vs Sri Lanka.