Sri Lanka cricket fans were treated to a historic moment as their national team triumphed over the West Indies in the third T20I, clinching their first-ever T20I series win against the Caribbean giants. Powered by sensational performances from Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera, Sri Lanka cruised to a nine-wicket victory, chasing down a competitive 163 with 12 balls to spare.
The final match of the series, held in front of a packed crowd in Dambulla, was nothing short of spectacular. The Sri Lankan team, which had shown signs of resurgence under new head coach Sanath Jayasuriya, completed a dream run by toppling a higher-ranked West Indies side, sending the local fans into pure jubilation.
Kusal Mendis’ Match-Winning Knock
The hero of the match was undoubtedly Kusal Mendis, who delivered an unbeaten 68 off 48 balls. His innings, laced with five boundaries and three towering sixes, was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Opening alongside Pathum Nissanka, Mendis got Sri Lanka off to a blazing start, setting the tone for what would become a historic win.
“It wasn’t the easiest pitch to bat on,” Mendis admitted after the match, “but I’m happy to get the team over the line. We’re used to these conditions, and it played to our advantage.” His calm demeanor and clutch hitting under pressure were key to Sri Lanka’s success. At one point, Mendis had a brief scare on 44 when Roston Chase failed to hold onto a tough return catch. But that was the only hiccup in what was otherwise a flawless innings.
Nissanka and Perera Keep the Pressure On
Mendis was ably supported by his opening partner, Pathum Nissanka, who smashed 39 runs off just 22 balls. Nissanka’s quickfire knock included seven boundaries and a six, providing Sri Lanka with a rapid start before he was bowled by a tricky low delivery from Gudakesh Motie. The pair put on a crucial 60-run partnership in just over five overs, taking the game away from the West Indies early on.
After Nissanka’s dismissal, Kusal Perera stepped in and delivered a gutsy performance despite battling cramps. Perera’s unbeaten 55 off 36 balls, which featured his 15th T20I half-century, was an innings of sheer determination. Together, Mendis and Perera built an unbroken 106-run stand, making sure Sri Lanka sealed the series in style.
West Indies’ Struggles Against Spin
Opting to bat first, the West Indies struggled to find momentum after a rocky start. The Sri Lankan spinners dominated the proceedings once again, with Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga picking up two wickets each. At one stage, the visitors found themselves reeling at 68-5, with little to show for their efforts against a clinical Sri Lankan bowling attack.
Captain Rovman Powell and Gudakesh Motie did provide a glimmer of hope for the West Indies, stitching together a vital 54-run partnership in just 26 balls. Motie, in particular, was aggressive, smashing three consecutive sixes off Dunith Wellalage in the 15th over. However, Motie was stumped shortly after, and the West Indies’ hopes of setting a more formidable target crumbled. They eventually posted 163, which proved to be far below par on the day.
Powell acknowledged his team’s struggles after the match, stating, “I thought we had enough runs on the board, but Sri Lanka’s spinners outplayed us. We knew spin would play a key role, and unfortunately, we came up short.”
Sri Lanka’s Spin Dominance
Sri Lanka’s spin duo of Theekshana and Hasaranga were instrumental in restricting the West Indies’ batting lineup. Their ability to control the middle overs, choke the run rate, and pick up key wickets at crucial moments was the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s success throughout the series.
Reflecting on the series win, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka praised his bowlers for their consistent performances, stating, “Our spinners have been the key to our success. They’ve performed well under pressure, and it’s great to see everything coming together for the team.”
The Road Ahead for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s emphatic T20I series win over the West Indies is part of a larger resurgence for the team. Under the guidance of coach Sanath Jayasuriya, the island nation has enjoyed a string of recent successes, including an ODI series victory over India for the first time in 27 years, a Test win in England after a decade, and a historic two-Test series sweep against New Zealand earlier this month — their first in 15 years.
This latest victory against the West Indies is a clear signal that Sri Lanka is rebuilding and ready to challenge the top teams in world cricket once again.
FAQs
Sri Lanka won the match by nine wickets, chasing down the West Indies’ target of 163 with 12 balls to spare.
Kusal Mendis scored an unbeaten 68, while Kusal Perera contributed 55 not out. For the West Indies, Gudakesh Motie and Rovman Powell put together a key partnership, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win.
This victory was historic as it marked Sri Lanka’s first-ever T20I series win against the West Indies.
Sri Lanka’s spinners, Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga, dominated the match by picking up crucial wickets and restricting the West Indies’ scoring.
Sri Lanka has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence, including an ODI series win over India, a Test win in England, and a historic Test series sweep against New Zealand.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka’s nine-wicket win over the West Indies in the third T20I marked a historic moment for the team and its fans. Led by the batting heroics of Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera, and supported by a dominant spin attack, Sri Lanka clinched their first-ever T20I series win against the West Indies. As the team continues its remarkable resurgence under Sanath Jayasuriya, they’ve shown that they are a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
With the series win, Sri Lanka will now look to build on their success as they prepare for bigger challenges ahead, including the ICC T20 World Cup. If this performance is any indication, Sri Lanka’s cricketing future is as bright as ever.
