West Indies Triumph in 1st T20I Against Sri Lanka: Lewis and King Steal the Show
West Indies lead 1-0 in the series after a commanding win over Sri Lanka, with standout performances from Evin Lewis and Brandon King in the 1st T20I.
In the opening match of their Twenty20 International series, the West Indies defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets, needing just five balls to reach their target of 180. Even though Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanke of Sri Lanka both scored strong half-centuries, it was Evin Lewis and Brandon King’s explosive opening partnership that took center stage.
Key Performances and Match Results
Match Analysis
In the opening Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka, Brandon King and Evin Lewis struck 107 off 55 balls at the top of the order, setting the West Indies on a glorious path to their total of 180. West Indies’ progress was hampered by the hosts’ middle-overs bowlers, although they were never really in danger.
Sherfane Rutherford brought the chase to a close with a four off the first delivery of the last over, but they had enough of batsmen to see it through.
Of all the West Indies bowlers, Shamar Joseph was the most economical, giving up just 27 in his four overs. Sri Lanka also had two half-centurions, in Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka, whose 82-run partnership was the most significant of Sri Lanka’s innings, even if King and Lewis eventually outscored them.
At the conclusion of the first over, Lewis hit the first boundary, hitting Chamindu Wickramaratne for a six and four, although King was the most influential player while the fielding rules were in place. King’s usual tactic was to charge the bowlers and send them flying. His hand-eye coordination was so outstanding that he used it again in the second over, against seamer Asitha Fernando, and then in the third over, he targeted Maheesh Theekshana’s spin.
King had eight fours (some of them edged, to be honest) and 39 runs off 20 balls by the end of the powerplay. Lewis, who had nearly entirely struck boundaries off Wickramaratne, scored 31 off only 16 balls. And after six overs, West Indies had 74.
By the finish, Lewis had made 50 off 28 and King had made 63 off 33 as they continued to swing. After their onslaught, the criteria was quite straightforward.
On the other hand, despite a favorable surface, Sri Lanka’s top order had not been able to flourish, partly due to the quick bowling of the West Indies. The first breakthrough for the West Indies came when Romario Shepherd caught the edge of Pathum Nissanka’s bat three times, giving up fours behind the wicket before the keeper caught him a third time. Shamar Joseph then removed Kusal Perera from the game early in the next over.
It seemed as though the West Indies were about to blow the game wide open when Kusal Mendis was also removed by a superb faster delivery from Gudakesh Motie, leaving Sri Lanka at 58 for 3.
Then again, maybe it’s time to acknowledge that Kamindu seems to know his business when it comes to playing cricket. Recently making history as the fastest hitter to 1000 Test runs since 1950, Kamindu struck for 50 off 41 in this shortest format, with Asalanka being the only player in his squad to score more with 59 off 35. He would also bowl two overs for 14, switching arms when needed. With his left-arm spin, he removed King, the leading scorer for the opposition, and finished with 1 for 14.
